Digital Accessibility SME

Digital Accessibility SME: Championing Inclusive Digital Experiences

This opportunity presents a compelling career path for seasoned professionals passionate about digital accessibility and its impact on creating truly inclusive experiences. As a Digital Accessibility SME, you will be at the forefront of shaping firm-wide accessibility governance, compliance, and consistency. This is a pivotal role within a dedicated Centre of Excellence, focused on setting standards, providing guidance, and delivering essential accessibility services.

The core mission of this role is to ensure that all digital services – from customer-facing websites and mobile apps to internal workplace tools – are accessible and usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities. If you thrive in environments where your expertise directly contributes to positive user experiences for a broader audience, this role offers significant professional satisfaction.

Key Advantages for Candidates:

• Strategic Influence: You will have the opportunity to advise and influence decision-making across various Business Units, playing a crucial role in embedding accessibility into the fabric of the organization's digital strategy.
• Centre of Excellence Leadership: Joining a dedicated team that acts as a hub of expertise allows for deep dives into best practices, continuous learning, and the chance to shape industry-leading accessibility standards.
• Impactful Work: Your contributions will directly enhance the usability and inclusivity of digital products and services for both customers and colleagues, fostering a more equitable digital landscape.
• Career Growth and Development: The role offers significant opportunities for leadership and development, whether through leading complex tasks, coaching team members, or driving innovative projects. The emphasis on continuous learning and staying abreast of industry trends further supports professional advancement.
• Collaborative Environment: Working through a hub and spoke model, you'll have the chance to collaborate with and support local accessibility SMEs, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and collective success.
• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Practices: The role encourages familiarity with inclusive research, analytics-driven prioritization, and automation, providing exposure to modern and effective accessibility methodologies.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Deep Expertise Required: Success in this role hinges on a strong foundation in global accessibility standards (such as WCAG), a thorough understanding of assistive technologies, and proficiency with relevant testing tools. Professional accessibility certifications are highly valued and demonstrate a commitment to the field.
• Strategic and Transformational Mindset: Beyond technical skills, candidates will be assessed on their ability to navigate change, understand business acumen, think strategically, and drive digital transformation. This role requires a holistic view of accessibility within a business context.
• Proactive Engagement: The description highlights the importance of collaborating with cross-functional teams, participating in design discussions, and proactively identifying and resolving defects. A proactive and communicative approach is essential.
• Leadership Potential: Whether you are an aspiring people leader or an individual contributor, the role emphasizes leadership behaviors, including listening, inspiring, aligning, and developing others. Developing this leadership capacity will be crucial for long-term career progression.
• Risk Management and Control: A key aspect of the role involves taking ownership of managing risk and strengthening controls related to accessibility. Candidates should be comfortable with policy development and operational effectiveness.
• Adaptability and Continuous Learning: The ever-evolving landscape of digital accessibility necessitates a commitment to staying informed about industry trends and innovations. An eagerness to learn and adapt will be paramount.

This Digital Accessibility SME position is an exceptional opportunity for individuals looking to make a tangible difference in the digital world and advance their careers in a critical and growing field. By leveraging your expertise, you can help build a more inclusive and accessible future for all.