Jobs in Rochdale, United Kingdom

Position: Accessibility Principal Consultant

Location: UK-wide

Workplace: Home-based

Salary: Up to £55,000.00 (Full-Time Equivalent)

Working pattern: 9-5 Monday to Friday

Contract type: Permanent | Full-time (35 hours per week) – flexible working hours available

Closing date: End-of-day 5 January 2026

Interviews: Week commencing 19 January 2026

As Accessibility Principal Consultant, you’ll set the standard for excellence within our consultancy team. You’ll act as a strategic partner to key clients, guiding them beyond compliance and helping embed accessibility at the heart of their digital strategy. You’ll oversee complex accessibility programmes, mentor consultants, and drive innovation through thought leadership.

• Provide high-level strategic and technical consultancy, advising on wireframes, design systems, and organisational maturity.
• Deliver expert audits, user testing, and training for complex or high-risk projects.
• Support commercial teams in scoping projects, developing proposals, and managing technical escalations.
• Research emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) in accessibility and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) updates, and share insights with the team.
• Represent AbilityNet at conferences, webinars, and through white papers and articles.
• Mentor mid-level and junior consultants, supporting their professional growth.
• Lead internal development initiatives to align the department with business strategy.
• Deliver bespoke consultancy work and support the Head of Consultancy and Senior Management Team with team activities.
• Ensure quality assurance across all deliverables.

You’ll be an expert in digital accessibility, with deep knowledge of standards (WCAG and EN 301 549) and legislation. You’ll be confident communicating technical requirements to a range of stakeholders, from developers to executives. You’ll have experience leading complex projects, building consensus, and coaching others. You’ll be passionate about removing barriers and advocating for inclusive design.

• Significant experience in accessibility consultancy, including audits, user research, and training.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to manage complex testing activities and define strategies for large programmes.
• Confidence using a range of assistive technologies.
• Experience with quality assurance and risk management.
• Ability to work collaboratively and foster a culture of trust.

We are global leaders in digital accessibility. Our vision is a digital world accessible all. We offer both free and paid services that help disabled and digitally excluded people achieve their goals at home, at work, in education, and online. This includes working with organisations to make their digital estates more accessible, as well as providing direct support to individuals.

You’ll be part of a forward-thinking team at the cutting edge of digital accessibility. You’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of inclusive design, work with leading organisations, and make a real impact.

Pension Scheme: We provide a workplace pension in line with UK legislation. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled within three months of joining.

Annual Leave: Enjoy 25 days of annual leave plus UK public holidays. Your entitlement increases by one day each year after five full years’ service, up to a maximum of 30 days.

Life Assurance: We offer life assurance cover valued at four times your annual salary.

Wellbeing Support: We care about your wellbeing and are committed to supporting a healthy work/life balance.

• Confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• A flexible approach to working arrangements that accommodates individual needs

Learning & Development: We invest in our people. You’ll have access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your growth. We’re proud of our inclusive, supportive culture and are committed to helping you reach your full potential.

To apply for this role, please submit a cover letter and CV using the form below.

Cover Letter: Look to cover the following in your cover letter:

• Why you are interested in the Accessibility Principal Consultant role at AbilityNet.
• What unique skills, qualities, and experiences you bring that make you suitable for this position.
• Examples of your experience in digital accessibility, including audits, consultancy, training, or leadership.
• How your values and approach align with AbilityNet’s mission to champion inclusion and accessibility.
• Any relevant qualifications, certifications, or technical expertise (e.g., WCAG, assistive technologies, user research).
• Your motivation for joining AbilityNet and how you hope to contribute to our team and clients.

Please note, if invited to interview, the answers that you have provided may be explored further.

CV: Provide a clear overview of your career history, focusing on roles and achievements relevant to this position. Where possible, demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and skills outlined in the job description.

Please use the form below to submit your cover letter and CV. If you experience any issues using the form, you can instead email hr@abilitynet.org.uk. Any queries about the role can be addressed to the Human Resources (HR) department at this email, or call us on +44 (0)118 228 0374.

The closing date for applications is end-of-day 5 January 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview via Teams with cameras on. This one‑hour session will include the Head of Consultancy, Principal Consultant and the HR Director who will assess your suitability for the role through the delivery of a presentation and structured questions aligned to the role requirements.

Panel interviews offer a fair and inclusive process by providing multiple perspectives and ensuring consistency in evaluation. You’ll be assessed on your relevant experience, knowledge, communication style, and alignment with AbilityNet’s values and goals.

Interviews will be held week commencing 19 January 2026.

AbilityNet is a Disability Confident Leader – we aim to make the most of the opportunities provided by employing disabled people. Disability Confident is a government scheme, is voluntary and has been developed by employers and disabled people's representatives.

As a Disability Confident employer we encourage applications from disabled people and offer an interview to those who meet the minimum criteria for the job role.

Fields with an asterisk (*) are required.

Do you currently have the legal right to work in the UK?: * Yes No

If you hold a working visa, does it have at least two years remaining?: * Yes No Not applicable

Where are you currently based? Please include your town/city and region: *

First name: * Please enter your first name.

Last name: * Please enter your last name.

Email address: * Please enter your email address.

Please upload your CV: * Please upload an up‑to‑date copy of your CV.

NOTE: max file size is 2 MB and all major document file extension types are accepted.

Please upload your covering letter: * Please upload a covering letter specific to this role.

NOTE: max file size is 2 MB and all major document file extension types are accepted.

Please ensure you have followed the prompts on this page about what to include in your 'Cover Letter'.