Principal Accessibility Lead – Inclusive Design

London Borough of Hillingdon; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working Hours

36 Hour Week

Generous Holiday Entitlement

Hillingdon Sports & Leisure

Salary Sacrifice Schemes

Cycle to Work

Local Government Pension Scheme

Perkbox Benefits

Mental Health Support and Counselling

Travel Support

Trade Union Membership

Job summary

The London Borough of Hillingdon is seeking an experienced Principal Accessibility Officer to provide expert leadership on accessibility and inclusive design across development proposals, regeneration schemes and public realm projects.

The role focuses on ensuring accessibility is considered early in development, promoting inclusive, high-quality environments that meet statutory requirements and best practice, working with councillors, developers and communities to secure improvements.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of accessibility and inclusive design principles.
• Experience advising on accessibility within planning, development, regeneration or public realm.
• Ability to assess development proposals and provide practical recommendations.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience influencing developers, professionals, councillors and other stakeholders.
• Experience collaborating across services and organisations.
• Knowledge of accessibility legislation, standards, guidance and best practice.
• Experience contributing to policy, service improvement and project delivery.
• Experience identifying external funding applications would be advantageous.
• Commitment to inclusive, resident-focused services.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Council's lead specialist on accessibility and inclusive design.
• Review planning applications, development proposals and public realm schemes, providing specialist accessibility advice.
• Influence developers, architects and project teams through meetings, design reviews and negotiations to secure positive accessibility outcomes.
• Assess access statements, undertake site visits and prepare clear reports and recommendations for officers, committees and stakeholders.
• Advise councillors, officers, developers, community groups and members of the public on accessibility matters.
• Respond to enquiries, complaints and consultations relating to accessibility.
• Support regeneration and public realm projects by embedding accessibility and inclusive design throughout project development and delivery.
• Provide expert advice across planning, development management, regeneration and public realm projects.
• Maintain professional accreditation through membership of the National Register of Access Consultants and/or the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, applying current best practice.
• Identify funding opportunities and prepare or contribute to grant applications, including Heritage Lottery and other regeneration funding.
• Manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining accurate records and meeting deadlines.
• Represent the Council on accessibility and inclusive design matters at meetings, design reviews, committees, stakeholder forums and partnership groups.
• Work with internal teams including planning, highways, regeneration, housing and legal, as well as developers, architects, consultants, disability access groups, community organisations, funding bodies and statutory agencies.
• Support service planning, policy development and continuous improvement.
• Monitor emerging legislation, guidance and best practice and recommend improvements to ensure the Council continues to deliver accessible and inclusive development.
• Contribute to the Council's transformation and improvement agenda.

Skills

Accessibility expertise

Inclusive design principles

Policy knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation and influencing

Project management

Job description

The London Borough of Hillingdon is seeking an experienced Principal Accessibility Officer to provide expert leadership on accessibility and inclusive design across development proposals, regeneration schemes and public realm projects.

The role focuses on ensuring accessibility is considered early in development, promoting inclusive, high-quality environments that meet statutory requirements and best practice, working with councillors, developers and communities to secure improvements.