Overview
The University website is at the heart of the University digital ecosystem and enables everything the organisation does to be showcased - from online course pages, research and innovation
case studies, to our world-leading facilities.
Our website is our primary channel for stakeholder interactions with the University and
decision making about which university to apply to, attend or to collaborate with. It's a key portal for external engagement with key strategic stakeholders, communicating our values and opportunities to engage with the University on national and international levels.
Our Staff and Student hubs are critical tools to help our internal audiences in their work and studies, enabling them to navigate their life and work with the University in an efficient and user-focused manner.
As a digital content designer, you'll play a key role in ensuring these systems are effective by
creating engaging, informative and structured content, tailored to meet the needs of our diverse
users and compliant with regulatory standards.
You will take a user-centred and iterative approach to challenge assumptions and make content
design decisions that ensure the best experience for our customers across their journeys.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
Lead on the day-to-day updates to strategically-important digital content such as the online prospectus' and student-recruitment focused content, central University web pages, the homepage and other areas of our websites
Create and edit content, including writing copy, extracting and editing the most engaging content and selecting images for use across the University public website, Staff; Student hubs and other relevant digital applications
Ensure best practice in accessibility and usability standards for all digital material
Maintain high standards for the quality, presentation, style and tone
Research queries from users and colleagues and respond to them quickly and efficiently
Work with stakeholders across the organisation on specific projects to enhance areas of the University websites and digital estate
Identify and log issues with systems and processes, and work with internal and external stakeholders to propose and develop solutions
Organise and conduct meetings with key colleagues, including academic members of staff, and students across the University
Use data and insight, gathered from sources such as Google Analytics and user testing, to enhance customer journeys
Participate and advise in the use and management of tools such as Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager and our internal search software
As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible
Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential Or Desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
Have a good honours degree in a relevant subject or have significant relevant work experience
Essential
Application/interview
Highly computer literate with excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and adaptability in your approach working with colleagues at all levels
Essential
Application/interview
Experience of leading content development and working with content management systems such as Drupal and Google Sites
Essential
Application/interview
Ability to understand the needs of senior management, stakeholders, colleagues and users, identify problems and negotiate creative solutions with an appreciation of longer-term implications
Essential
Application/interview
Proven experience of digital content design including strong copywriting, media manipulation, a great eye for detail, a working knowledge of SEO techniques and the ability to present complex information for a variety of audiences
Essential
Application/interview
Applicable knowledge of web accessibility standards
Essential
Application/interview
Excellent customer service skills with experience of providing ongoing support to users and managing a backlog of requests
Essential
Application/interview
Driven and focused to meet tight deadlines, plan and prioritise a varied workload, organise resources, manage complex processes and achieve results
Essential
Application/interview
Experience of using site analytics such as Google Analytics 4 to make informed content design decisions
Essential
Application/interview
Awareness of the user-centred techniques to gather understanding of user needs, including surveys, user interviews, user testing sessions, card sorting exercises and workshops and using findings to make informed content design and information architecture decisions
Essential
Application/interview
Knowledge of technical, regulatory and legal requirements for compliant content and involvement with the governance of these within an organisation
Essential
Application/interview
Further Information
Grade
6
Salary
£32,080 - £36,636 per annum with potential to progress to £39,906 per annum through sustained exceptional contribution
Work arrangement
Full-time
Line manager
Head of Digital Content
Direct reports
n/a
Our website
For informal enquiries about this job contact Robin Byles, Head of Digital Content on
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on week commencing 20 April 2026. This will consist of a task and a formal interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 30 March 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: (opens in new window).
What We Offer
A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
A generous pension scheme.
A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
A range of generous family-friendly policies
paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
support for those going through the menopause
paid time off and support for fertility treatment
and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.