Technical Writer

Ordnance Survey; Southampton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary plus pension

Performance bonus where applicable

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Flexible working options

Learning and development support

OS Maps subscription

Volunteering leave

Job summary

Ordnance Survey seeks a Technical Writer to design and govern how product information is structured and communicated. You will work with Market Enablement and cross-functional teams to define models, taxonomy and metadata, ensuring consistent, scalable documentation across OS Docs, product content and go-to-market materials.

You will collaborate with technology, product and customer teams to translate complex product and data concepts into usable content, supporting accessibility best practices

Qualifications

• Strong experience in information architecture, structured content or documentation system design.
• Proven ability to define content models, taxonomy and standards that support reusable content.
• Strong technical writing capability, translating complex product and data concepts into clear content.
• Experience working with Product, Customer or technical teams to align product descriptions.
• Experience using tools and workflows to maintain documentation, e.g., Git, GitHub and a docs-as-code approach.
• Ability to design structured approaches that improve consistency and reduce duplication across content.
• Strong stakeholder management to influence adoption of standards and ways of working.
• Analytical mindset using feedback and data to improve documentation and user journeys.

Responsibilities

• Define how product information is structured across OS Docs and internal content and go-to-market materials.
• Establish a scalable approach to product content, reducing duplication and fragmentation.
• Define content models, taxonomy, metadata and standards to improve reuse and discoverability.
• Ensure alignment between product documentation, messaging and commercial enablement materials.
• Collaborate with the Technical Writer team to embed structure and consistency across all product content.
• Design, manage and improve technical documentation for OS products and API services.
• Understand user journeys and information architecture principles to structure content effectively.
• Work with technology, product managers and stakeholders to communicate technical details.

Skills

Information architecture

Structured content

Technical writing

Stakeholder management

Documentation systems

Content governance

WCAG knowledge

Tools

Git

GitHub

Job description

Technical Writer (full time)

Salary £39,524 - £46,111 (dependent on experience)

Hybrid working (3 days in office)

Join our dynamic Markets team

The Markets team plays a central role in how Ordnance Survey drives growth – connecting market insight, product capability and customer demand to ensure we focus on the right opportunities and deliver meaningful impact.

Alongside Market Development and Market Operations & Intelligence, the Market Enablement function is critical to how we scale and communicate our product offer. Building on our acclaimed external product documentation, this team also ensures that OS products are clearly understood and consistently positioned and communicated across our Product and Customer functions, underpinning go-to-market activities.

We are building a more structured and scalable approach to product content – creating a single, coherent view of product information across documentation, messaging and go-to-market activity. This is a key part of enabling OS to operate more effectively as a commercial, customer-led organisation.

About the role

The Technical Writer is responsible for designing and governing how OS structures and manages product information, enabling it to be effectively communicated across the organisation and externally to partners and customers.

Reporting to the Market Enablement Lead and working closely with the existing Technical Writers and wider Markets and Customer teams, you will play a key role in shaping how product information is defined, structured and used across OS. You will bring clarity and consistency to how we communicate products to enable a more scalable, aligned and commercially effective approach across Product, Customer and go-to-market functions.

You will take a structured, system-led approach to content, defining how information is organised, modelled and governed between internal and external platforms. This includes shaping information architecture, taxonomy, metadata and content models, and working closely with technology and platform teams to ensure content is structured, managed and delivered effectively across systems.

Specifically, you will:

• Define how product information is structured across OS Docs (our external product documentation content), our internal product-related content and go-to-market materials
• Establish a consistent and scalable approach to product content, reducing duplication and fragmentation between internal and external-facing content
• Define content models, taxonomy, metadata and standards to improve content reuse, clarity and discoverability
• Ensure alignment between product documentation, messaging and commercial enablement materials
• Work closely as part of the Technical Writer team to embed structure and consistency across all product content
• Design, manage and improve technical documentation for OS products and API services
• Understand user journeys and information architecture principles so you can structure and present information effectively and sustainably
• Work with technology experts, product managers and stakeholders to effectively communicate technical details of OS products and services
• Collaborate with the Product, Customer and go-to-market functions to ensure content supports real-world use and application
• Improve how product information is accessed, understood and applied across the organisation

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who, as a technical writing practitioner, can bring structure, clarity and consistency to how OS defines and communicates its products.

You’ll be comfortable working across Product and Customer teams, able to establish clear standards and ensure they are adopted, while balancing structure with usability.

• Strong experience in information architecture, structured content or documentation system design
• Proven ability to define content models, taxonomy and standards that support reusable, scalable content
• Strong technical writing capability, with the ability to translate complex product and data concepts into clear, usable content
• Experience in working across Product, Customer or technical teams to align how products are described and communicated
• Experience in using technical tools and workflows to maintain and enhance documentation, for example, Git, GitHub and a ‘docs as code’ approach
• Ability to design and implement structured approaches that improve consistency and reduce duplication across content
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence teams to adopt standards and ways of working
• Analytical mindset, using feedback, usage data and insight to improve documentation, enhance the user journey and identify content gaps
• Experience working in product-led or data-driven environments is highly desirable
• Knowledge of accessibility best practice and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is highly desirable

The Rewards

We want you to love what you do and feel supported to do your best work.

Our benefits include:

• Competitive salary and Pension (OS contribute up to 12.07%)
• Performance‑related bonus (where applicable)
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Enhanced family leave, including paid partner leave
• Flexible working options
• Learning and development support, coaching and mentoring
• Free subscription to OS Maps and access to wellbeing support
• Volunteering leave and matched fundraising

Closing date: Tuesday 19th August @23:59pm

Interviews are scheduled to take place in person at Ordnance Survey Head office.

Location & Working Pattern

We embrace a hybrid working model at OS, because we believe in flexibility and balance. You’ll be based at our fantastic HQ in Southampton, Hampshire, where you’ll spend a minimum of 3 days per week collaborating face‑to‑face with colleagues. It’s all about combining the best of both worlds connection and autonomy to help you thrive.

Security & Eligibility

OS conducts pre‑employment checks for anyone made an offer of employment, including identity, right to work, employment history and criminal record checks (via Disclosure & Barring Services (DBS).

Some of our roles may require additional security vetting. We will advise candidates during the recruitment process if additional vetting may be required for that specific role.

This role requires the right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, OS cannot provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Inclusion at OS

Research shows that people from under‑represented groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. At Ordnance Survey, we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive and welcoming workplace.

If this role excites you but your experience doesn’t match every point, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right person for this role or another opportunity at OS.

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that people may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during the application process.

Who we are

We are Ordnance Survey, Great Britain’s national mapping service and a pioneer in geospatial technology. With over 230 years of trusted data, we empower better decisions, deeper understanding, and meaningful connections to the places we live, move through, and care for.

Three principles one direction

• Clear the path – Cut the noise. Simplify. Move at pace.
• Seek the story – Listen. Understand. Speak up.
• Do what matters – Focus on value.

Our principles unite us in delivering our Data & Destinations strategy with more simplicity, more clarity, and renewed momentum for each other and for our customers.

They’re here to create more good days, and fewer harder ones but only if each one of us plays our part.

Skills required for this role:

• Collaboration, Communication, Content Architecture, Content Governance, Content Operations, Documentation Systems, Technical Writing, User Requirements