Senior Accessibility Specialist

Department Technology Roles

Location(s) London, Greater Manchester

Salary £58,502 - £64,007 (dependant on skills, experience and location)

Working pattern: 36 hours per week in London, 37 hours in Manchester. Flexible working is available (subject to core hours and business need), as well as term time and part time (minimum coverage of 3 days).


About Us

MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.


The Role

As a Senior Accessibility Specialist, you’ll implement and evolve our accessibility strategy and help MI5 stay ahead in a changing digital world.

Building effective relationships with product teams will be central to your approach. You’ll collaborate with multi-disciplinary product teams (incl. engineers and UX designers) to ensure we build and run accessible products and services. By working closely with our Disability Employee Network and associated groups, you’ll understand and champion their needs.

As well as managing our accessibility community inside MI5, you’ll be part of cross-organisation initiatives, including co-leading the Engineering Accessibility Team, alongside colleagues from GCHQ and MI6. Overall, you’ll be responsible for MI5’s compliance to standards and regulations, resolving specific accessibility issues, and promoting best practice. We’ll also rely on you to coach and mentor our engineering teams, actively encouraging them to learn about our mission and the needs of our users.

The nature of our work presents unique and fascinating engineering challenges, the likes of which you won’t have seen before.


About You

You’ll be highly experienced in working with User Experience and Engineering teams to embed accessibility. Previously, you’ve led the implementation of an accessibility strategy in another organisation, and you can identify potential accessibility issues and create change.

You’ll also have experience of applying and implementing regulations and guidelines (such as WCAG). In addition, you’re up to date with current advancements, and aware of Assistive Technologies. You also understand how to create inclusive content and apps, and you’re keen to constantly improve yourself and others.

We’re looking for good communication and collaboration skills too, as you’ll need to collaborate with other Accessibility Specialists, User Experience Designers and a range of stakeholders. It’s important that you can understand their needs and ensure our teams develop solutions with accessibility in mind.


Training and Development

Learning and development is central to our ethos, which is why we invest heavily in our people. As part of your MI5 career, we’ll support you in broadening and deepening your technical and non-technical skills. We use The Digital Data and Technology Profession (DDaT) capability framework as a compass to provide the guidance, tools and support that will progress your career further.

Join us, and you’ll benefit from various learning and development opportunities to grow technically and personally:

You will have up to 20% innovation and personal development time. There is access to a wide variety of classroom and online learning, including gaining and maintaining professional certifications and memberships (e.g. AWS certifications or British Computer Society membership). As well as opportunities to attend other events such as hackathons and conferences. There are also opportunities to be involved in our internal communities and networks as well as time to enjoy mission-related training.


Rewards and Benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of £58,502 - £64,007 (dependant on skills, experience and location)

• 25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays (pro rata for part time)

• Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme

• Personal Learning Budget

• Interest-free season ticket loan

• Excellent pension scheme

• Cycle to work scheme

• Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)

• Paid parental and adoption leave.


Before You Apply

To work at MI5, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality.

This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes.

Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.

The role is based in London or Manchester, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application. A loan is available to support people relocating.


Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.


Right to Withdraw Statement:

Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.