Head of User Experience, Digital Development

As part of the Digital Development team and reporting to Bloomsbury Head of Digital, this role contributes to the definition, implementation and delivery of all Bloomsbury Digital Resources across Bloomsbury Academic, Professional and Special Interest divisions. Bloomsbury Digital Resources have already won a number of accolades for the quality of design and usability and is often receiving glowing reviews from leading publications and customers. This role will build on that success by ensuring that we continue to deliver engaging, accessible products which delight our customers and users.

The role

Ensure that the Bloomsbury digital platforms deliver an excellent user experience to the users and customers. Our platforms have built up a reputation as distinctive, visually appealing and user-centered, and the aim of this role is to take them to the next level and to introduce best practices for design, usability, innovation and accessibility to our platform development. The role reports to a Head of Digital and will have ultimate responsibility for User Experience across the entire range of Bloomsbury digital products and deliverables. In fulfilling that role, the Head of User Experience (UX) will work with key stakeholders (product innovation, digital production, technical support, content architecture, commercial and business owners, and digital technology) and external developers and other suppliers to provide an intuitive user experience, improving usability and accessibility of Bloomsbury’s digital products and platforms, thereby maximizing user satisfaction, brand reach, reputation, and commercial success. In this role you will:

• Manage the team of User Experience Managers
• Define and implement the standard methodology for conducting user experience research and requirements validation
• Coach the members of the team and ensure their continuous improvement through internal and external training
• Manage resourcing and estimation around user experience work on various projects
• Lead programmes of user experience research to ensure that we understand our users’ online user journeys and needs, deciding on the best method to use in each case (e.g. interviews, focus groups, card sorting, usage analytics)
• Capture findings from user experience research and translate into clear, well specified, well documented, testable and prioritized business requirements and use cases
• Produce wireframes, mockups and interactive prototypes as appropriate to assist with user research, internal discussion and presenting to stakeholders
• Ensure a programme of continuous improvement for the Bloomsbury Publishing Platform, encompassing visual design, information architecture, navigation and user flow
• Work with Editorial leads and Product Managers on new product proposals to identify new feature requirements
• Take the lead on specifying and clarifying requirements for third-party developers and QA analysts with regard to new platforms, site migrations and ongoing platform enhancements, working closely with colleagues in Product Management, Content Architecture, Project Management and Editorial
• Promote the importance of User Experience within the wider company
• Own the performance and industry standards related to the UX of the Bloomsbury digital platforms

Knowledge, skills and experience 

• Significant demonstrated experience of managing user experience teams, preferably in an academic context
• Team management skills
• Stakeholder management skills
• Experience in managing freelancers, contractors and vendors
• Ability to understand the specific needs of a varied user base of students, scholars, librarians and practitioners in visual and applied arts, performing arts, humanities, social sciences, law and finance
• Passion for digital product development, with a proven record of delivering successful products and platform features
• HTML skills (knowledge of CSS, JavaScript and XML not required by advantageous)
• Understanding of project management & development processes, including Agile methodology, and experience with standard tools such as Jira and Confluence
• Experience of gathering & interpreting web usage analytics
• Excellent implementation and time-management skills
• An excellent eye for detail and a logical, problem-solving approach
• A proactive, “can-do” attitude
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal and visual)

Additional information

The role is a full-time permanent position

The role is based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP or alternatively, our Oxford office, Kemp House, Chawley Park, Cumnor Hill, Oxford OX2 9PH on a hybrid working pattern of 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred).  Allocated office days for this role are Wednesday and Thursday

Please apply with a CV and covering letter addressed to Human Resources (Word or PDF format only) via the ‘APPLY NOW’ button detailing how you meet the requirements outlined above for this role by 8th June 2022

Bloomsbury reserve the right to close the role early if we exceed the required number of applications

Bloomsbury Benefits

As well as a fantastic opportunity to join a global award-winning organisation, Bloomsbury offers the following competitive benefits package:

Working Pattern

• hybrid working pattern of: 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred)

Holidays

• 25 days holiday
• 3.5 days Christmas company holiday
• 2 Personal Wellness Days

Other Benefits:

Flexible Fridays – take Friday afternoon off by working an additional 3 hours and 45 minutes earlier in the week

Season Ticket Loan

Sharesave Scheme

In-house Doctor

Eyecare Voucher Scheme

That Day – online fitness classes, mindfulness, cookery classes, workshops etc.

Company culture! – Employee Voice Meetings, Staff Networks (BAME, Disability, Mental Health, LGBTQ+ and Parents, Guardians and Carers), 15 Mental Health First Aiders trained across the UK offices, Publishing Events and access to free Publishing Resources

For additional benefits see below

Bloomsbury is a place where anyone of any background, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, age, ability, or socio-economic status can thrive, feel comfortable, and be heard and accepted. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please flag to the recruitment team if required

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

The Company

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Bloomsbury Publishing is a leading independent publishing house, established in 1986, with authors who have won the Nobel, Pulitzer and Booker Prizes, and is the originating publisher and custodian of the Harry Potter series. Bloomsbury has offices in London, New York, New Delhi, Oxford and Sydney. Within Bloomsbury’s Academic division, it publishes under Bloomsbury, as well as under a number of prestigious and historic imprint names. Read Our Story for how it all began. 

 Bloomsbury is committed to creating a working environment that stimulates creativity and collaboration, is respectful of difference, is inclusive and ethical in its practice, and promotes well-being. We are determined to nurture and develop our employees to reach their highest potential, and we know that our success is down to the passion, commitment and hard work of our talented people. We recognise the urgent need to attract and support applicants from all backgrounds and identities to become part of the global publishing industry, allowing diverse voices to reflect and shape our culture and society.

Please read more on our Missions and Values here.

Please read our environmental policy here.