Digital Accessibility Delivery Lead

This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned leader to make a significant impact within the central Accessibility team, taking on the crucial role of Digital Accessibility Delivery Lead VP. You will be instrumental in shaping and scaling accessibility initiatives across the entire organization, ensuring inclusive digital experiences for all.

This VP-level position demands a unique blend of deep technical expertise, strategic governance acumen, and proven people leadership. The successful candidate will be at the forefront of ensuring compliance with global accessibility standards and navigating emerging regulations, playing a pivotal role in embedding accessibility into the core of the company's digital strategy.

Key Advantages and Opportunities for Candidates:

• Strategic Leadership: As a senior leader, you will have the autonomy and responsibility to define and execute accessibility strategies, directly influencing the company's digital roadmap and commitment to inclusivity.
• Enterprise-Wide Impact: This role offers the chance to drive transformative change across a large, complex organization, impacting both customer and colleague digital touchpoints at scale.
• Technical Depth and Breadth: You will leverage and further develop your extensive technical knowledge, including global accessibility standards (WCAG, EN 301 549), assistive technologies, testing tools, and the intricacies of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ARIA, and their integration into design systems and CI/CD pipelines.
• Governance and Risk Management: A core aspect of this role is owning and refining governance frameworks, managing risks, and reporting on accessibility compliance, providing valuable experience in enterprise-level risk and controls.
• Career Growth and Development: The company fosters a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence. You'll have opportunities to stay abreast of industry trends, contribute to technology communities, and potentially mentor and develop less experienced specialists.
• Collaboration and Influence: You will work closely with cross-functional teams, advising key stakeholders, including senior leadership, and building strong relationships to achieve business objectives.
• Location Flexibility: The role is based in either Knutsford or Northampton, offering potential options for candidates within those regions.

Key Considerations for Aspiring Candidates:

• Extensive Experience Required: Success in this role hinges on proven experience in leading enterprise-scale accessibility programs, developing robust governance frameworks, and effectively managing risks.
• Technical Proficiency: A deep understanding of accessibility standards, assistive technologies, and web development technologies is paramount. Familiarity with embedding accessibility into modern development workflows (e.g., CI/CD) is essential.
• Leadership and People Management: While the description outlines expectations for both individual contributors and people leaders, if team management is part of your remit, expect to define roles, plan for future needs, and mentor your team. The company's LEAD behaviors (Listen and be authentic, Energise and inspire, Align across the enterprise, Develop others) are central to leadership expectations.
• Strategic Thinking and Business Acumen: Beyond technical skills, candidates will be assessed on their strategic thinking, change and transformation capabilities, and understanding of the financial services control environment.
• Proactive and Innovative Mindset: The role requires proactive problem-solving, sophisticated analytical thought, and the ability to develop innovative solutions by adopting outcomes of extensive research.
• Alignment with Company Values: Candidates should resonate with and demonstrate the company's core values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship, as well as the Barclays Mindset of Empower, Challenge, and Drive.
• Highly Valued Skills: While not strictly mandatory, professional certifications (IAAP CPACC, WAS, CPWA, DHS Trusted Tester), experience with accessibility automation, monitoring, inclusive research, Agile delivery, and PMO disciplines will significantly strengthen an application.

This position represents a significant leadership opportunity for individuals passionate about driving digital inclusion and shaping the future of accessible technology within a leading financial institution. It's a role that offers both substantial challenge and rewarding impact.