Accessibility Principal Consultant

AbilityNet; Remote; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leader in digital accessibility is looking for an Accessibility Principal Consultant to set standards of excellence within the consultancy team. The role involves advising key clients on digital strategy, overseeing complex accessibility programs, and mentoring junior consultants. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in accessibility consultancy, possess strong leadership skills, and be confident in communicating with stakeholders. This is a home-based position with a salary of up to £55,000 annually, offering benefits like generous annual leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

Pension Scheme

25 days annual leave plus public holidays

Life Assurance

Wellbeing Support

Qualifications

• Significant experience in accessibility consultancy, including audits, user research, and training.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to manage complex testing activities and define strategies for large programmes.
• Confidence using a range of assistive technologies.
• Experience with quality assurance and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level strategic and technical consultancy.
• Deliver expert audits, user testing, and training for complex projects.
• Support commercial teams in scoping projects.
• Research emerging technologies in accessibility.
• Represent AbilityNet at various events.
• Mentor mid-level and junior consultants.
• Lead internal development initiatives.
• Ensure quality assurance across all deliverables.

Skills

Accessibility consultancy

Leadership and mentoring

Communication

Assistive technologies

Quality assurance

Job description

Position : Accessibility Principal Consultant

Location : UK-wide

Workplace : Home-based

Salary : Up to £55,000.00 (Full-Time Equivalent)

Working pattern : 9-5 Monday to Friday

Contract type : Permanent | Full-time (35 hours per week)

Closing date : End-of-day 5 January 2026

Interviews : Week commencing 19 January 2026

The role

As Accessibility Principal Consultant, you’ll set the standard for excellence within our consultancy team. You’ll act as a strategic partner to key clients, guiding them beyond compliance and helping embed accessibility at the heart of their digital strategy. You’ll oversee complex accessibility programmes, mentor consultants, and drive innovation through thought leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-level strategic and technical consultancy, advising on wireframes, design systems, and organisational maturity.
• Deliver expert audits, user testing, and training for complex or high-risk projects.
• Support commercial teams in scoping projects, developing proposals, and managing technical escalations.
• Research emerging technologies, such asartificial intelligence(AI) in accessibility and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) updates, and share insights with the team.
• Represent AbilityNet at conferences, webinars, and through white papers and articles.
• Mentor mid-level and junior consultants, supporting their professional growth.
• Lead internal development initiatives to align the department with business strategy.
• Deliver bespoke consultancy work and support the Head of Consultancy and SMT (Senior Management Team) with team activities.
• Ensure quality assurance across all deliverables.

About You

You’ll be an expert in digital accessibility, with deep knowledge of standards (WCAG and EN 301 549) and legislation. You’ll be confident communicating technical requirements to a range of stakeholders, from developers to executives. You’ll have experience leading complex projects, building consensus, and coaching others. You’ll be passionate about removing barriers and advocating for inclusive design.

Skills and Experience Required

• Significant experience in accessibility consultancy, including audits, user research, and training.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building abilities.
• Ability to manage complex testing activities and define strategies for large programmes.
• Confidence using a range of assistive technologies.
• Experience with quality assurance and risk management.
• Ability to work collaboratively and foster a culture of trust.

About AbilityNet

We are global leaders in digital accessibility. Our vision is a digital world accessible to all. We offer a range of free and paid for services that help disabled and digitally excluded people achieve their goals at home, at work, in education, and online. This includes working with organisations to make their digital estates more accessible, as well as providing direct support to individuals.

We are supported by some of the biggest technologybusinesses in the world. Each we run,with sponsors such asIBM, Barclays, Google, and Microsoft.

Why join us?

You’ll be part of a forward-thinking team at the cutting edge of digital accessibility. You’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of inclusive design, work with leading organisations, and make a real impact.

Benefits we offer

Pension Scheme : We provide a workplace pension in line with UK legislation. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled within three months of joining.

Annual Leave : Enjoy 25 days of annual leave plus UK public holidays. Your entitlement increases by one day each year after five full years’ service, up to a maximum of 30 days.

Life Assurance : We offer life assurance cover valued at four times your annual salary.

Wellbeing Support : We care about your wellbeing and are committed to supporting a healthy work / life balance. We offer :

• SimplyhealthOptimise wellbeing plan
• Confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• A flexible approach to working arrangements that accommodates individual needs

Learning & Development : We invest in our people.You’llhave access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your growth.We’reproudofour inclusive, supportive culture and are committed to helping you reach your full potential.

Apply and further information

Please note

Right to Work : We welcome applications from overseas. However, you must already have the legal right to work in the UK as we are unable to sponsor work permits.

Workplace : You will primarily behome-based, however you will be expected to work on client sites as required with some travel outside of office hours.

WorkPattern : 35 hours per week, 9-5 Monday to Friday, however there is flexibility in the work pattern, so please reach out to us if you’d like to discuss alternative arrangements.