Job Description
We are seeking an experienced Accessibility Specialist to lead accessibility reviews across all our digital platforms. You will be the key driver in identifying and solving accessibility issues, ensuring our digital experiences meet the highest accessibility standards. In this role, you will guide and mentor designers, researchers, and developers, helping them stay current on the latest accessibility trends and best practices, while ensuring compliance with WCAG 2.1, Section 508, and ADA regulations. You will work with platform owners to help ensure they understand the importance of accessibility.The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated, thought leader, capable of helping define governance processes and providing hands-on solutioning collaborating directly with developers.
What You'll Do
Lead Accessibility Reviews: Take ownership of conducting comprehensive accessibility reviews for all digital platforms, identifying issues, and working with cross-functional teams to implement solutions.
Drive Accessibility Practice: Serve as the accessibility expert in the building, ensuring the integration of accessibility standards and templatization into the entire product lifecycle, and lead efforts to keep the team updated on emerging trends.
Strategic Oversight: Develop and manage an accessibility roadmap, ensuring all products and services undergo thorough accessibility testing.
Identify and Prioritize Risk: Understand risks across all platforms and work to track down platform and compliance partners to help define and prioritize those risks.
Guide Third-Party Partners: Work with outside partners to manage accessibility efforts like PDF remediation. Help define SOWs, prioritize work, and ensure the quality of their work.
Educate UXers and Developers: Create a plan to educate internal resources on how to create accessible experiences. Be available for ongoing questions.
Collaboration & Advocacy: Collaborate with UX, design, and development teams to integrate accessibility early in the process. Advocate for necessary accessibility adjustments and offer pragmatic solutions when accessibility challenges arise. Be ready to roll up your sleeves and assist developers to solve specific issues.
Stay Ahead of the Curve: Continuously monitor the latest trends in accessibility, ensuring that our practices evolve alongside emerging guidelines and technologies.
What You'll Bring (Hiring Requirements)
Bachelor's degree or advanced degree (where required)
Minimum of 5+ years of hands-on experience in digital accessibility and leading accessibility reviews. In lieu of degree, 7+ years of experience in related field.
Proficient in WCAG, Section 508, ARIA, and assistive technologies.
Experience with accessibility testing tools (aXe, WAVE, JAWS, Site Improve, etc.).
Understanding of HTML, CSS and vanilla JavaScript to facilitate troubleshooting with developers.
Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) or Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) certification is preferred.
Soft Skills: Proactive, passionate about accessibility, and pragmatic in ensuring solutions are implemented effectively. Able to manage complex workflows, build relationships at all levels, and thrive in a collaborative environment.
Nice-to-Have:
Experience with Adobe Experience Manager (AEM)
Understanding of Web Components framework
Native accessibility experience with multiple mobile operating systems
Salary Range
At Blue Cross NC, we take great pride in a fair and equitable compensation package that reflects market-price and our starting salaries are typically planned near the middle of the range listed. Compensation decisions are driven by factors including experience and training, specialized skill sets, licensure and certifications and other business and organizational needs. Our base salary is part of a robust Total Rewards package that includes an Annual Incentive Bonus*, 401(k) with employer match, Paid Time Off (PTO), and competitive health benefits and wellness programs.
*Based on annual corporate goal achievement and individual performance.