Content Designer Competencies
These competencies outline the expectations and growth path for Content Designers at each level. Use this framework to understand your current level and what’s needed to advance to the next level.
Content Designer I (L1)
| Area | Competencies |
|---|---|
| Skill (Individual) | • Developing an understanding of UX writing fundamentals and beginning to apply this knowledge to content projects within your product area • Crafting precise, error-free content • Writing for end-to-end flows, aiding in interaction design decisions, and delivering content in partnership with Product Design |
| Influence (Team) | • Collaborates with PMs, product designers, and managers, participating in existing processes • Delivers UX writing projects that are small to medium in size (2-4 weeks long) • Contributes to content strategy from user research through QA • Begins to document work clearly for partners |
| Thinking (Team) | • Developing an understanding of the strategy behind project work and its impact on customers and product goals • Uses this understanding to start making informed UX writing decisions |
Content Designer II (L2)
| Area | Competencies |
|---|---|
| Skill (Individual) | • Demonstrating solid understanding of UX writing fundamentals and confidently applying this knowledge to content projects within your product area • Developing broader UX writing frameworks and playbooks for your pods or core product areas |
| Influence (Team) | • Fully understands the product area’s problem space • Begins to lead steps in the product development process, such as research sessions and engineering handoffs |
| Thinking (Team) | • Clearly understands the strategy behind project work and its impact on customers and product goals • Proactively identifies ways UX writing can contribute to product goals |
Sr. Content Designer (L3)
| Area | Competencies |
|---|---|
| Skill (Individual) | • Possesses a strong understanding of UX writing fundamentals • Applies this knowledge across multiple product areas • Leads UX writing work that impacts the entire pillar, either through expertise in a high-impact area or foundational systems work |
| Influence (Team) | • Actively participates in the product development process • Drives content work across multiple teams • Delivers medium to large UX writing-led projects (quarter-long) • Helps define new templates and processes for content documentation |
| Thinking (Team) | • Clearly understands the strategy behind project work and its broader impact to the company • Contributes to product strategy and roadmaps • Proactively identifies UX writing needs across multiple projects and uses evidence to validate content decisions |
Lead Content Designer (L4)
| Area | Competencies |
|---|---|
| Skill (Individual) | • Demonstrates expert-level understanding of UX writing fundamentals • Beginning to coach others developing understanding of UX writing • Leading UX writing work that influences the entire product organization |
| Influence (Team) | • Plays a key role in setting product direction for the pillar • Defines the business value of UX writing work • Influences how content fits into the product development process • Defines scope and prioritization for content-driven pillar work |
| Thinking (Team) | • Deeply understands the pillar’s problem spaces • Establishes clear working processes across teams and stakeholders • Autonomously delivers on large to extra-large UX writing-led projects (quarter-long and beyond) • Leads strategic conversations at the pillar level |
Staff Content Designer (L5)
| Area | Competencies |
|---|---|
| Skill (Individual) | • Applies expert-level understanding of UX writing fundamentals to solve needs for the pillar and beyond • Coaches others in developing their understanding of UX writing • Leads UX writing work that influences several pillars, involving cross-team decision-makers and executive stakeholders |
| Influence (Team) | • Plays a key role in setting product direction for the pillar • Defines the business value of UX writing work • Influences how content fits into the product development process • Defines scope and prioritization for content-driven work |
| Thinking (Team) | • Deeply understands pillar problem spaces • Establishes clear working processes across teams and stakeholders • Autonomously delivers on large to extra-large UX writing-led projects (quarter-long and beyond) • Leads strategic product conversations at the pillar level |
Principal Content Designer (L6)
| Area | Competencies |
|---|---|
| Skill (Individual) | • Applies expert-level understanding of content and interaction design principles to high-priority projects • Coaches others in UX writing across the company • Represents the company and advocates for UX writing methodologies and practices in the industry |
| Influence (Team) | • Deeply understands company-wide goals • Influences C-Suite decision-making and strategy • Defines the scope and prioritization for content-driven work at the company level |
| Thinking (Team) | • Deeply understands the company’s organization and processes • Establishes new ways of working for UX writing at large • Proactively scopes and delivers on large to extra-large UX writing-led projects (quarter-long and beyond) • Drives strategic conversations at the company level |