Sarah Lay

Sarah Lay Email and Phone Number

Lead UX and Content Designer @ Birmingham City Council
Ripley, GB
Sarah Lay's Location
Ripley, England, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Sarah Lay's Contact Details

Sarah Lay personal email

n/a

Sarah Lay phone numbers

About Sarah Lay

My focus is always on conversations and customer experiences which connect and convert, and to do work which positively impacts on people's everyday lives. This includes work across the public sector, and with creatives in the music industry. I am co-founder and Head of Creative and A&R for independent record label Reckless Yes. My work at the label includes roster management, artist development and leading on creative, PR and promotion for releases. Our approach is ethical and centred on artists retaining control of their career and creative works, supporting them to earn money from their music and find success. Away from music I am available for freelance work, consultancy, and interim positions in content strategy, and content and experience/UX design. For a good many years I have managed both aspects of my career side by side and my work in digital has included as UX Design Manager for Boots UK working on user-centred design across their omni-channel portfolio, and as an award-winning digital leader delivering sector-leading transformation within local government. Most recently I've worked with:- the Planning Inspectorate delivering as a content designer in a multi-disciplinary Agile team working with the GOV.UK design system, prototyping kit, GovNotify, and including being part of a successful GDS assessment- Ashfield District Council on content strategy and design in a rebuild of their website, gaining accessibility accreditation from the Shaw Trust and successfully supported channel shift (and therefore cost savings) with improved user satisfactionI have also worked with the NHS and health organisation, housing providers, universities, membership and professional services organisations. My work in the public sector also led to becoming a co-founder of LocalGov Digital; I've been named in the Digital Leader 100; and won a Lifetime Achievement Award from Comms2Point0. In both music and my digital freelance work I am available for speaking engagements - previous bookings have included keynotes at international conferences, on stage in-conversations with artists at large festivals, and workshop or panel events from small to large scale. I also have a solid academic foundation behind the nearly 20 years of experience in digital and the music industry. I hold an MA in eCommunications, a BA (Hons) in Journalism and am an Umbraco Certified Practitioner (Level 1).

Sarah Lay's Current Company Details
Birmingham City Council

Birmingham City Council

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Lead UX and Content Designer
Ripley, GB
Website:
birmingham.gov.uk
Employees:
8237
Sarah Lay Work Experience Details
  • Birmingham City Council
    Lead Ux And Content Designer
    Birmingham City Council
    Ripley, Gb
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  • Birmingham City Council
    Lead Ux / Content Designer
    Birmingham City Council Dec 2023 - Present
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  • Reckless Yes
    Co-Founder, Owner And Head Of Creative And A&R
    Reckless Yes Jan 2016 - Present
    Derby, United Kingdom
    Reckless Yes is an independent record label and live promotions agency which also offers artist management, which I co-founded in 2016. We are focused on ethical deals which support the artist to retain creative control while benefiting from our guidance through all areas of the industry. Our current roster includes LIINES, Mark Morriss, Chorusgirl, Fightmilk, Grawl!x, Eilis Frawley, Mighty Kids, Japan Review, Panic Pocket, and Unqualified Nurse Band. We release on vinyl, digital and CD formats and are also a small scale independent literary publisher specialising in debut novels. We work with our artists on all aspects of release and development including through promotion and direct to fan marketing with a view to supporting, rather than controlling, their artistic direction. Our artists have enjoyed coverage from 6Music, Radio X and Amazing Radio as well as being featured in Record Collector, Q Magazine, Louder Than War magazine, Loud & Quiet, Drowned in Sound, The Line of Best Fit, For The Rabbits and many more. They have played festivals including Kendal Calling, Indietracks, Camden Rocks, Dot to Dot, and toured in the UK and Europe.As lead for Creative and Artist I undertake a broad range of activities at the label with a focus on artist development, online identity, and promotion. I support our artists in developing their brand, their tone of voice, and creating online experiences which grow listeners, buyers and fans as well as amplify through PR, plugging and playlisting. Alongside my co-founder I manage the strategic direction of the label and of each of our artists and releases while also leading on label communications and our brand. During my time with Reckless Yes I have also managed artists, including LIINES.
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  • Freelance
    Music Journalist, Broadcaster And Editor
    Freelance Jul 2016 - Present
    With 20 years experience in writing about music I am currently writing for Louder Than War in print, Loud & Quiet magazine, as well as a range of online publications including Drowned in Sound and Get In Her Ears. I've previously written for and occasionally contribute to publications including Echoes and Dust, Circuit Sweet, God Is In The TV, GigSlutz and Sounds Magazine. I was editor of Louder Than War online for five years, was founder editor of Derby's music, arts and culture website Storge, and am currently working on a new site focused on in-depth artist interviews about creativity, Popoptica. During my career I've interviewed Pixies, Tim Burgess (The Charlatans), Paddy Considine (Riding the Low, actor and director), Kathleen Hanna (The Julie Ruin / Le Tigre / Bikini Kill), Barry Hyde (The Futureheads), The Anchoress, Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses), Paul Draper (Mansun), Mark Morriss (The Bluetones), Bivouac, LIINES, Bis, Cabbage, White Lies, The Oh Sees, Dream Nails, and Colin MacIntyre (Mull Historical Society). While specialising in features I am also an album and live reviewer and have covered artists including Robbie Williams, The Stone Roses, Blur, Cable, The Charlatans, The Membranes, Bronto Skylift and The Winter Passing. I'm also an experienced festival reporter providing filed and live copy from sites including Kendal Calling, Leeds Festival, Y Not and Indietracks. I have a particular interest in underground and DIY music as well as fan culture, and feminism and gender in music and popular culture. I co-present and produce the monthly radio show The Rumble on Radio Free Matlock which focuses on independent music. I've spoken at events including Liverpool's Writing on the Wall festival and Derby's Women Amplified, as well as hosted on stage in-conversations with artists at Kendal Calling and Indietracks festivals.
  • Alzheimer'S Society
    Connected Content Strategy And Design Lead
    Alzheimer'S Society Nov 2021 - Nov 2023
    Making relevant content easier to find for people affected by dementia, as functional lead for the 3-year Connected Content project at Alzheimer's Society we're evolving digital content around advice and support services. My role has included:- focusing on outcomes while delivering required outputs- delivering a content strategy which meets the needs of our audiences and supports our organisational Help and Hope priorities- optimising for the digital channel while looking at multi-channel journeys- building an in-house project team across user experience research, interaction and content design, and delivery as well as understanding and nurturing future capability and culture- putting accessibility and inclusivity in as a default in the work we do and how we do it- leading on content and interaction design to create the right user experience from the smallest detail through to overall journeys and setting a strong foundation from which future innovation will build on- creating and commissioning multi-format content based on 'right content, at the right time, in the best possible format for the user'- developing taxonomy, IA and front-end wayfinding based on our user's mental models and language- content operations which centre our users in what we do, while making efficient and effective use of our in-house and external experts- working with external partners as an intelligent client to increase our digital accessibility capability and delivery, increase design capacity at key points, and develop technical solutions- using tools including Figma, Drupal 9, and Miro to deliver our work remotely- introducing Agile methodologies
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  • Sarahlay.Com
    Freelance Digital Content Strategist
    Sarahlay.Com Jul 2016 - Nov 2023
    Taking my experience in delivering content strategy and design as well as project / team leadership within the public and private sectors I work with a variety of clients from small single-audiences to large complex organisations with diverse users and services or products. I am love working on projects delivering real impact to people's every day lives and which take a user-centred design approach to create content which connects. I'm as happy looking at the strategic approach, and operational and governance models for content as I am being hands on in the detail of content design, or even in the content marketing with social media and email management. My most recent work has included: - content strategy and design, and UX consultancy work on a new public-facing website for Ashfield District Council. This work delivered on time and to budget a new user-focused website with optimised customer journeys supporting cost savings through channel shift and improved satisfaction, as well as meeting accessibility regulations and gaining Shaw Trust accreditation - content design work for central government (Planning Inspectorate) including successful GDS assessment, through agency Difrent. This work was delivered as part of a multi-disciplinary Agile team and included work with the GOV.UK prototyping kit, GovNotify, and GOV.UK design system and style guide - content strategy, content marketing and SEO work for eduction professional services organisation CEFM, working with October24 - content strategy and design for Byron Primary Care Network, working with October24Past clients have included content strategy and design work in local government, digital communications work within the NHS, training of digital and communications teams across public and third sector as well as membership organisations, and public speaking engagements.
  • The Planning Inspectorate
    Content Designer
    The Planning Inspectorate Feb 2021 - Oct 2021
    Delivering content design elements as part of the multi-disciplinary user-centred design team for the new Appeal a householder planning decision service for The Planning Inspectorate. My work on this project included representing the content design discipline in a successful GDS (Government Digital Service) Beta assessment, working with the GDS design system to create content for successful user journeys in front and back office, creation and management of communications sent out as part of the journey, and creating UX artefacts including user flows, affinity maps, and journey maps. Working alongside other content designer and user research and interaction design colleagues the role included pair writing, iterations from research and testing, prototyping using Heroku and the Government prototype kit, creation of content for publication on GOV.UK and in service, and use of GovNotify. The role also included lunch and learn sessions sharing more about content design, how it fits in the process and team, and why it is important to user-centred services.
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  • Musterpoint
    Digital Engagement Manager
    Musterpoint Jan 2019 - Aug 2019
    In this contract role I headed up digital engagement for MusterPoint - the smart social and media management tool designed for public sector, emergency services, and regulated industries. With a relaunch of the platform on the way I’ve joined the team to look after content strategy including leading on digital engagement, social media, search, analytics, and content, as well as supporting the relaunch campaign.
  • We Are Noble And Wild
    Founder
    We Are Noble And Wild Jun 2012 - Mar 2019
    At We Are Noble and Wild I offer services to independent musicians and labels to support them to build careers which earn them money from their music, help them find fans, gain coverage in the media and airplay on radio, and take control of their future and success. Services offered include direct to fan marketing, music PR plugging and playlisting, and Pay As You Go artist management consultancy. Together these services, and my experience in the industry as a label owner, journalist, and PR, support artists to build a career where people are taking notice of them.
  • Boots Uk
    User Experience Design Manager
    Boots Uk Sep 2017 - Nov 2018
    Nottingham, United Kingdom
    As UX Design Manager I was part of a team working to develop and deliver continuous UX and UI improvements to the digital experience of boots.com, as well as supporting and delivering improved customer experience across an omnichannel portfolio.
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  • Nottinghamshire County Council
    Senior Digital Officer / Digital Team Leader
    Nottinghamshire County Council Aug 2013 - Jun 2016
    Nottingham, United Kingdom
    During my two years with Nottinghamshire County Council I devised and led on the digital acceleration project, Digital First. This ambitious and award-winning project - groundbreaking for the sector in scale and speed - covered a number of areas to quickly improve the way the Council could provide digital services and to support wider organisational transformation. It covered: - an improved technical infrastructure including a move to the open source CMS Umbraco and implementation of modules in the Firmstep product for transactional capability - an evidence driven and user first website, developed in public beta and delivered in under 12 months, and which won Best Public Sector at the UXUK Awards in 2015 - a new social media strategy and improved digital engagement, including award-winning use of the GovDelivery email marketing platform (Maximiser Award 2014) - improved wider digital eco-system through review of all microsites, including a new schools extranet platform - a new intranet and improved options for employee engagement. As part of a maternity cover within the wider team I undertook the role of Digital Team Leader and managed a multi-disciplinary in-house team of up to 12 as well as lead on liaison with external agencies. The project focused on usability of digital services, an overall improved and more effective customer experience across channels, and to improve customer satisfaction while enabling cost savings for the organisation.
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  • Localgov Digital
    Co Founder
    Localgov Digital Feb 2013 - May 2016
    A practitioner network created and functioning in the spirit of local government’s sector-led improvement agenda. I co-founded the movement in 2013 and although now working alongside rather than within local government continue to support its work. Our overarching purpose is to raise standards in web provision and the use of digital by councils across the country, and to create a digital framework that is flexible enough to respond to local needs.We exist to support improvement strategies in the delivery of services so that local government can be efficient, productive and serve local needs.Our belief is that an overarching and fundamental principle is that local government is and should be ‘open by default and digital by design’.At the centre is a steering group which connects the wider network with national bodies such as the Local Government Association (LGA), government departments and other partners involved in improving how services are delivered to citizens.My role is as work stream lead for Communications and Community Management. This gives me responsibility for the group's own platform and communications as well as organising our key events - LocalGovCamp and the unconference fringe. In 2014 this was a major event for local government with capacity for 200+ delegates over two days and I was responsible for all aspects of event planning.
  • Derbyshire County Council
    Digital Communications Officer
    Derbyshire County Council Oct 2004 - Jul 2013
    Derbyshire
    Content commissioning and approval, devising and delivering training on using our content management system (Tridion) and writing for the web, managing accessibility, usability, developing and maintaining standards and guidelines, statistical analysis and profiling, search and SEO, social media and digital engagement.
  • Associated Northcliffe Digital
    Writer / Researcher
    Associated Northcliffe Digital Mar 2003 - Oct 2004
    Researching and writing content for the Headline History website including picture research and involvement in the filming of multimedia content. The website went on to win the 2005 BAFTA Interactive Award in the Children's Education category.Position held concurrently with that of Intranet Manager. Company called Northcliffe Electronic Publishing at this time.
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  • Associated Northcliffe Digital
    Intranet Manager
    Associated Northcliffe Digital Nov 2002 - Oct 2004
    Involved in the implementation and content management of a group wide intranet serving regional newspaper centres across the UK. This work included content creation, training others to use the bespoke content management system and managing staff discussion forums.This position was held concurrently with that of writer / researcher for Headline History.Company called Northcliffe Electronic Publishing at this time.
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  • Associated Northcliffe Digital
    Beehive Community Co-Ordinator
    Associated Northcliffe Digital Dec 2001 - Oct 2002
    Covering the East Midlands region of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire I managed the online community of not-for-profit organisations using our system to create and maintain free websites.This included sourcing groups, training and advising them on creating dynamic web content and using the system, advising and creating publicity including regular columns for Derby Evening Telegraph, Nottingham Evening Post and Leicester Mercury. As part of my role I was involved in the launch of the Nottinghamshire network.Company called Northcliffe Electronic Publishing at this time.
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  • Associated Northcliffe Digital
    Internet Journalist
    Associated Northcliffe Digital Aug 2000 - Dec 2001
    Working on a number of websites and researching entries for an approved directory engine. Responsible for the website for the regeneration of the North West Leicestershire and South Derbyshire coalfields region which included writing a history of the area and providing community journalism.Company called Northcliffe Electronic Publishing at this time.
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Sarah Lay Skills

Content Strategy Online User Experience Web Content Management Channel Management Copywriting Social Media Social Networking Digital Strategy Website Management Website Copy Website Testing Collaborative Working Online Journalism Music Journalism Statistics Usability Usability Testing Accessibility Organic Search Mobile Internet Webmaster Services Collaborative Environment Marketing Copy User Experience Corporate Communications Digital Media Public Sector Local Government Music Industry Team Management Content Development Seo Copywriting Web Development Web Analytics Information Architecture Social Media Marketing Email Marketing Web Strategy Digital Marketing Intranet Web Project Management Strategic Communications Editorial Internal Communications Web Content Seo Content Management Journalism Publicity Online Communications

Sarah Lay Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Sarah Lay

What company does Sarah Lay work for?

Sarah Lay works for Birmingham City Council

What is Sarah Lay's role at the current company?

Sarah Lay's current role is Lead UX and Content Designer.

What is Sarah Lay's email address?

Sarah Lay's email address is sa****@****net.com

What is Sarah Lay's direct phone number?

Sarah Lay's direct phone number is 0844 241*****

What schools did Sarah Lay attend?

Sarah Lay attended Sheffield Hallam University, Liverpool John Moores University.

What are some of Sarah Lay's interests?

Sarah Lay has interest in Arts And Culture.

What skills is Sarah Lay known for?

Sarah Lay has skills like Content Strategy, Online User Experience, Web Content Management, Channel Management, Copywriting, Social Media, Social Networking, Digital Strategy, Website Management, Website Copy, Website Testing, Collaborative Working.

Who are Sarah Lay's colleagues?

Sarah Lay's colleagues are Steph Mctaff, Jane Harrison, Alan Coen, S K Hussain, Jill Fenwick, Yasmin Abdul, John Davies.

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