Senior Content Designer

ID 3747

The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate’s name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.

Vacancy details

Senior Content Designer 

12/05/2026, 16:00 

Permanent
£47,675
SEO £47,675 to £56,445
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Health, Social Care and Early Years
Strategy
Digital
Cardiff
Cathays, Cardiff

Welsh Government

The Welsh Government delivers digital services to people and business across Wales. Led by our Chief Digital Officer, the Welsh Government is increasingly delivering more services online and has a vision (outlined in the Digital Strategy for Wales) of improving the lives of everyone through collaboration, innovation and better public services. 

To achieve this vision, the Welsh Government needs specialist digital, data and technology skills across all departments in the organisation to improve the services and policies we develop for Welsh citizens. 

For more information about the benefits of making a difference with us,please see the Employee Benefits Pack.

Team/Division Overview

This role is based within the Health and Social Care communications team, leading on all Gov.Wales content across the portfolio. It is a fast paced, user-focussed role which supports the delivery of government priority work. The senior content designer will be linked into strategic planning and will help make the work of the group visible and accessible to ministers, stakeholders and the public.

Job Role

This post is mapped to the Senior Content Designer role/level in the DDaT Profession Capability Framework. Follow the link to understand the role and the required skills.

Senior content designers are expert practitioners responsible for content quality and small teams.

  • They develop and implement approaches to reviewing content at all stages of the user journey
  • They are responsible for creating, evaluating, updating, and reviewing content and are comfortable using evidence, data, and research to make content decisions
  • They build relationships across government to focus on user needs and influence stakeholders
  • They contribute to and use corporate style guides / content patterns and are active in content communities.

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic senior content designer to join our team. You will play a key role in making sure we meet our statutory publication responsibilities, with a focus on clear digital communication and the user experience.

You will manage another content specialist, managing the quality of our digital content on Health and social care | Topic | GOV.WALES and other digital channels. You will also work closely with colleagues in the wider digital team and across the organisation, engaging with, and contributing to, the cross-government content community.

You will build relationships across government to focus on the needs of the user and to influence stakeholders and will be responsible for content strategies, policies, style guides and standards.

You will be a skilled editor with attention to detail. You will also know how to write simply and clearly, with the user in mind, and you will have the confidence to champion high-quality content within the organisation.

You will be a crucial part of growing our content design capacity as we seek to transform our products to better meet user needs. To help on this journey, we need somebody with enthusiasm and perseverance who can make the case for the change then see this through to the finished product.

You will work with subject matter experts to design content to meet user needs and make complex language and processes easy to understand.

As the most Senior Content Designer and Web Manager in Health and Social Care, you will:

  • Work autonomously and have responsibility for the health and social care area of GOV.WALES, ensuring content is user-centred and consistently meets publishing standards.
  • Lead and direct strategic content improvement projects, driving content improvement in the health and social care area of GOV.WALES, with a focus on clear digital communication and the user experience. This includes reviewing existing content and upskilling health and social care policy officials and content providers in how to write for the web.
  • Build long-term strategic relationships and communicate clearly and regularly with stakeholders, supporting mutual needs and commitments while focusing on user needs.
  • Lead and develop content in order to embed good practice on layout, accessibility and data visualisation, making information accessible to all.
  • Use data, research and evidence to review and evaluate content in order to drive continuous improvement.
  • Take responsibility for assuring the quality of content from more junior colleagues, and coaching and guiding them to improve.
  • Manage one staff member and have responsibility for the publication work programme of the health and social care web publishing team, deciding how work is allocated amongst the team.
  • Oversee the creation, checking and publishing of webpages from content provided by policy teams to strict deadlines, using content management system.
  • Ensure statutory responsibilities and professional publication standards are met.
This role is part of the DDaT profession and the Health and Social Care communications team and wider communications profession, with opportunity to develop leadership and technical skills in both areas.

In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Experience 1.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/ interview.

Interviews will be held in person at the Welsh Government’s Cathays Park office.

A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.

A written test on technical ability will be required at Stage 2. More information will be provided in the invitations to that stage.

Basic
1
HSScomms@gov.wales

Welsh language requirements

3 - Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they are however desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.
1 - Can read some basic words and phrases with understanding
0 - No skills
1 - Can understand parts of a basic conversation
0 - No skills

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

The Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our AI candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection Process and Stages

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

The selection process and stages are:

Number of Stages:2 stage process
Stage 1Application Form
Stage 2Interview

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these Behaviour criteria during the selection process.

Leadership

Consider the impacts of own and team’s activities on stakeholders and end users.
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Experience

We'll assess you against the following Experience criteria during the assessment process.
Experience questions

Substantial content design experience, including working with a content management system and applying standards and style guides to content.

This will be tested at Stage 1: Application Form
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Significant experience in advocating for a user-centred approach and good content practices.

This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Ability to work autonomously on managing an extensive portfolio of digital content, and independently recommend content improvements within the framework of standards and style guides.

This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Technical

We'll assess the following Technical skills during the selection process.

User-centred content design – deliver through others, and direct and critique their work.

This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Strategic thinking (content design) – lead and direct strategic content improvement projects, focusing effort in the areas of greatest priority and ensuring goals and objectives are met.

This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Eligibility

You will be asked about your nationality and if you are legally allowed to work in the United Kingdom. This is to find out if you are eligible to apply for this vacancy. This is a requirement for working within the Civil Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria your application will not progress. If it becomes clear at a later stage in the process that you are not eligible to apply, your application may be withdrawn, or the offer retracted.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:
• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) 
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Social Model of Disability

Welsh Government has adopted the social model of disability, which recognises that barriers in society act to disable people who have impairments, or health conditions, who are neurodivergent or who use British Sign Language.

We are committed to removing barriers in the recruitment process so that all (or potential new) staff can perform at their best.

Recruitment adjustments can be made at any part of the recruitment process for candidates with an impairment or health condition, who are neurodivergent or who use British Sign Language. 

Please get in touch with DiversityInRecruitment@gov.wales to discuss adjustments for any part of the process.

Inclusive Interview Schemes

We are committed to inclusive recruitment and offer interviews to eligible candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role through the following schemes:

Disability Confident

The Welsh Government is a Disability Confident Leader. As part of our commitment to this scheme we interview any candidate with an impairment, health condition, who is neurodivergent or who uses British Sign Language if they meet the minimum criteria for the post.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The Welsh Government operates the Great Place to Work for Veterans Initiative. As part of our commitment to this scheme we interview any eligible candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the post.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service employers can offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of civil servants who are at risk of redundancy and who meet the minimum criteria for the post
By ‘minimum criteria’ we mean that candidates must provide us with evidence in their application (and/or test) that they meet the minimum level of competence for the role - usually defined as a minimum score of 4 per criterion.

Social Partnership

In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.

Our 3 recognised trade unions are:
• PCS
• Prospect
• FDA

This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:
• Pay
• Terms and conditions
• HR Strategy, policies and procedures
• Health, safety and well-being
• Organisational change

Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.

The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. We encourage you to learn more about our trade unions, partnership working and to get involved in their work.

Benefits

All Welsh Government staff are members of the Civil Service, and as a result are eligible for:

  • Civil Service Pension Scheme
  • 31 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time)
  • training and development opportunities
  • Cycle2Work Scheme
  • Smart Working flexible working arrangement
  • Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)

If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.

Recruitment principles and complaints

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales. Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: info@csc.gov.uk.

All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system.

Unless stated otherwise in the 'Other vacancy-related information for advert', the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. There are a number of Diversity networks that staff can participate in, which include the Disability Awareness and Support Staff Network; Minority Ethnic Staff Network; Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (LGBTI+), Women Together and the Neurodivergence Network.

If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team.You can:

  • request an application pack in an alternative format
  • request a recruitment adjustment to help you submit your application

Use the 'Apply' button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don't have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address.

You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application.  Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there. 

Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.

If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page.  We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.

Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.

For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here.

For TS to G6 recruitment schemes: When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.

This opportunity is closed to applications.