Vacancy for Content Designer at The National Archives (UK)

Digital Preservation Coalition; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading archival organization in London seeks an experienced Content Designer. You will create user-centered content for the website, delivering engaging and clear information to a diverse audience. The ideal candidate will excel in translating complex knowledge for general users and designing effective digital journeys. This role offers an opportunity to shape the digital capabilities of the organization in an open, collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in translating complex expert knowledge for a non-expert audience.
• Skilled in designing end-to-end digital user journeys.
• Ability to create clear, accessible microcopy for online services.

Responsibilities

• Provide user-centered content design for our website.
• Create content suitable for users of varying familiarity levels.
• Deliver content to help users find and access services efficiently.
• Engage audiences with our collections and activities.

Skills

Strong written communication skills

Experience writing for the web

User-centered content design

Job description

Vacancy for Content Designer at The National Archives (UK)

29 May 2022

London

Full-Time

Summary

The National Archives is the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, and for England and Wales. We help the public access over 1,000 years of iconic national documents, from Domesday Book and Shakespeare’s will to military service records, censuses, and court cases. We also provide world-class education and engagement activities that connect people of all ages with our archival heritage.

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Content Designer to join our growing content team. You will help shape new ways of delivering our records and stories to users. The ideal candidate will have strong written communication skills, a good eye for storytelling, and experience in writing for the web, especially in translating complex expert knowledge for a non-expert audience. You should also be skilled in designing end-to-end digital user journeys and creating clear, accessible microcopy for online services.

Our Digital Services team builds and manages services used by over 1 million people monthly, providing access to more than 30 million record descriptions. This is an exciting time as we rethink our digital offerings. You will contribute to growing our digital capabilities, skills, and culture within an open and collaborative environment, engaging with internal and external communities to share expertise and learn from others.

Responsibilities

You will provide user-centered content design for our website, creating content suitable for users with varying familiarity levels with archives—from first-time visitors to expert researchers.

The role involves working across key areas of our digital services:

• Delivering content that helps users find and access our services and collections efficiently and clearly.
• Creating interpretative content that engages audiences with our collections and activities, helping them understand the stories behind the archives with surprising, insightful, and inclusive digital content.
• Auditing legacy content, including complex microsites and applications, assessing their value, and developing new ways to tell the stories they contain.
• Supporting colleagues organization-wide in delivering their professional services online.

You will be confident in taking the lead, making decisions, and engaging with stakeholders, including training and supporting devolved editors. You will also ensure content is inclusive, representative, and compliant with current accessibility legislation and guidelines.