Content Designer (12 months)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Content Designer (12 months)

Company: RBS

Location: London, United Kingdom (with options for Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh)

Job Type: Full-time, Temporary (12 months)

Category: Content Design / User Experience Operations

Date Posted: 2026-07-30

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Remote First (with office presence in London, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh)

🚀 Role Summary

• Own the end-to-end content design process for small to medium-sized projects, ensuring user-centricity and alignment with enterprise design strategies.

• Develop and refine user-centered content for digital products and services, balancing user needs with business goals and technical constraints.

• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including researchers, designers, developers, and product managers, throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Actively contribute to discovery work, user research, prototyping, and interaction flow development to inform content decisions.

• Uphold and apply content standards, accessibility requirements, and regulatory guidelines to deliver inclusive, high-quality customer experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Content Designer," the emphasis on user-centered design, interaction flows, and integration with product development strongly suggests a role within the broader User Experience (UX) or GTM operations spectrum, focusing on the operational execution of content strategy within a product context. The "Remote First" with office options indicates a hybrid approach, with flexibility for remote work.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and manage content design scope, approaches, and timelines for small to medium-sized projects, while contributing to larger strategic initiatives.

• Create clear, creative, and brand-consistent content that adheres to established design system patterns and UX best practices.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, effectively managing expectations and influencing decisions through evidence-based content recommendations.

• Proactively communicate progress, identify potential risks, and manage alignment issues, escalating as necessary to ensure project success.

• Apply content standards, accessibility requirements (e.g., WCAG), and relevant regulatory guidelines to ensure inclusive and compliant user experiences.

• Participate in user research activities, analyze findings, and translate insights into actionable content design improvements.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of content patterns and style guides to ensure consistency across digital platforms.

• Support the creation of prototypes and interaction flows, ensuring content is integrated seamlessly with user interface elements.

• Continuously improve content quality and effectiveness through iterative testing and feedback loops.

• Share best practices, provide feedback, and coach colleagues to foster a culture of continuous learning and development in content design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive and collaborative approach, emphasizing ownership and strategic contribution beyond just content creation. The focus on "enterprise strategies" and "regulatory guidelines" indicates a need for operational rigor and alignment with broader business objectives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio and demonstrated experience in content design, UX, or a related field are paramount. A background in English, Communications, Journalism, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related discipline would be beneficial.

Experience: A minimum of 2-5 years of experience in content design, UX writing, or a similar role, with a proven track record of delivering user-centered content for digital products and services.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating clear, consistent, and user-centered content solutions across various digital platforms.

• Agile Methodologies: Proven experience delivering content design projects within fast-paced Agile development environments.

• Design Thinking: Strong application of design thinking principles to problem-solving and solution development.

• Content Writing: Exceptional content writing and editing skills, with the ability to craft clear, concise, and engaging copy.

• Information Architecture: Solid understanding of information architecture principles and how they apply to content organization and navigation.

• User Research: Experience leveraging user research and testing (e.g., usability testing, A/B testing) to inform content decisions and validate solutions.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, including researchers, designers, developers, and product managers.

• Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Working knowledge of accessible (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA) and inclusive design principles, ensuring content is usable by everyone.

• Stakeholder Management: Confidence and skill in presenting work, explaining content decisions, and influencing stakeholders through evidence-based recommendations.

• Prototyping & Interaction Design: Familiarity with prototyping tools and an understanding of how content integrates with interaction flows.

• Design Systems: Good working knowledge of how content design integrates with design systems and product development processes.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific content management systems (CMS) or digital publishing platforms.

• Familiarity with financial services industry regulations and compliance requirements.

• Experience in a "Remote First" or hybrid work environment.

• Knowledge of SEO best practices as they relate to content creation.

• Experience contributing to the development of content strategy at a project level.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio and experience in Agile environments is critical for this role. The "2-5 years" experience level suggests a need for candidates who can operate with a degree of autonomy on smaller projects while contributing effectively to larger teams.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Detailed case studies showcasing the full content design lifecycle for at least 2-3 distinct digital projects. Each case study should highlight:

  • The problem statement and project objectives.
  • Your specific role and contributions.
  • The user research and discovery process undertaken.
  • Content strategy and approach, including any content modeling or IA work.
  • Examples of content created (e.g., UI copy, microcopy, error messages, instructional text).
  • Iterations based on user testing, feedback, and A/B testing results.
  • Final outcomes and impact, ideally with quantifiable metrics (e.g., improved task completion rates, reduced support queries, increased conversion).

• User-Centered Focus: Clear demonstration of how user needs, business goals, and technical constraints were balanced in your design decisions.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: Evidence of incorporating accessibility and inclusive design principles into your content solutions.

• Brand Consistency: Examples showing how your content maintained brand voice and tone while meeting user needs.

• Process Documentation: Samples of any process documentation, such as content outlines, style guides, or content inventories, if applicable to past projects.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document content design processes, including scope definition, research methodologies, content creation workflows, and review cycles.

• Understanding of how to integrate content design processes with broader Agile workflows and product development lifecycles.

• Experience in creating and maintaining content standards, guidelines, and best practice documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Content Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It's not just about showing finished products but demonstrating the process and thinking behind the content. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their portfolio and articulate their decision-making at each stage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Content Designers with 2-5 years of experience in London, UK, a competitive salary range would typically be between £40,000 - £55,000 per annum. This estimate considers the 12-month contract nature and the specified location.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: As detailed above, reflecting experience and location.

• 12-Month Contract: A defined period offering focused project experience.

• Flexible Working: "Remote First" policy with potential for office-based collaboration in London, Bristol, Manchester, or Edinburgh.

• Pension Scheme: Contribution to a workplace pension.

• Holiday Allowance: Generous paid time off.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for learning and skill enhancement through hands-on experience and potentially access to internal training.

• Access to RBS Resources: Opportunity to work with a leading financial institution.

Working Hours: 35 hours per week, with flexibility often afforded in a "Remote First" environment, allowing for effective management of tasks and projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general UK market data for mid-level content design roles in major cities, adjusted for a 12-month contract. Specific benefits may vary and should be confirmed with the hiring team.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking). RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) is a significant player in the UK financial sector, known for its extensive range of banking and financial services. This industry context implies a need for accuracy, security, compliance, and a focus on customer trust in all communications.

Company Size: RBS is a large, established financial institution, employing tens of thousands of people globally. This size suggests a structured environment with established processes, opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, and a wide array of projects.

Founded: Royal Bank of Scotland was founded in 1727, highlighting a long history and deep-rooted presence in the financial industry. This legacy implies a culture that values stability and tradition, while also needing to adapt to modern digital demands.

Team Structure:

• The Content Designer will likely be part of a larger UX or Digital Design team, working within a product-focused or project-based structure.

• Collaboration will be key, involving close partnerships with UX Researchers, UI Designers, Product Managers, Developers, and potentially Legal/Compliance teams.

• Reporting is likely to a Content Design Lead, UX Manager, or a Product Owner responsible for a specific digital initiative. Methodology:

• User-Centred Design: A core methodology, ensuring all content decisions are driven by user needs and research.

• Agile Development: Projects will likely follow Agile principles, requiring iterative development, frequent feedback loops, and adaptability.

• Design Systems: Reliance on and contribution to established design systems and component libraries for consistency and efficiency.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Emphasis on using data from user research, analytics, and A/B testing to guide content strategy and improvements.

Company Website: https://www.rbs.co.uk/ (Note: This is the main RBS site; specific divisional or careers sites may exist).

📝 Enhancement Note: The financial services industry imposes specific demands on content, emphasizing accuracy, clarity, and compliance. Candidates should be prepared to navigate these constraints. The "Remote First" aspect within a large, established bank suggests a modern approach to work within a traditional framework.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Content Designer. It offers significant responsibility for project-level content strategy and execution, requiring autonomy and strong collaboration skills. It's an opportunity to deepen expertise in user-centered content design within a specific industry.

Reporting Structure: The Content Designer will likely report to a Lead Content Designer, UX Manager, or Head of UX/Product within a specific business unit. They will work within multidisciplinary project teams, collaborating with peers and stakeholders across various departments.

Operations Impact: The Content Designer's work directly impacts customer experience, usability, and brand perception for RBS's digital products. Effective content design can lead to increased customer satisfaction, higher task completion rates, reduced support costs, and improved conversion metrics, all of which are critical operational outcomes for a financial institution.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like financial content, accessibility, or UX writing for complex journeys.

• Project Leadership: Gain experience leading content design for larger or more complex initiatives within the 12-month tenure.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Develop a broader understanding of product development, UX research, and business strategy by working with diverse teams.

• Networking: Build a professional network within a large organization, potentially opening doors for future opportunities.

• Portfolio Enhancement: The 12-month contract provides an excellent opportunity to add significant, high-impact projects to a professional portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a temporary role, this position offers substantial opportunities for skill development and portfolio building within a respected financial institution. The focus is on delivering tangible results that can be showcased as evidence of operational impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is "Remote First," meaning remote work is the default. However, RBS maintains offices in London, Bristol, Manchester, and Edinburgh, suggesting that occasional in-office presence may be expected or beneficial for team collaboration, meetings, or specific project phases. The environment is likely to be professional and corporate, typical of a large financial services company.

Office Location(s): London, Bristol, Manchester, and Edinburgh are designated hubs. Candidates can be based remotely, with potential access to these office locations if desired or required for specific team interactions.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Setup: Candidates will need a suitable home office setup that allows for focused work and participation in virtual meetings.

• Collaborative Tools: Expect to use a range of digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence) for communication and project management.

• Hybrid Integration: If office presence is required, it will likely be in modern, well-equipped office spaces designed for collaboration and focused work.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual stand-ups, team meetings, and design critiques will be standard, fostering a connected team environment despite the remote-first approach.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 35 per week. While remote-first offers flexibility, core working hours for team collaboration and meetings will likely be established to ensure seamless communication across distributed teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote First" aspect combined with office locations indicates a flexible hybrid model. Candidates should clarify expectations regarding occasional office visits or team meetups.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications, focusing on resume and portfolio relevance.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, walking through key projects and explaining their process, decisions, and outcomes. This is a crucial step to assess practical skills and communication abilities.

• Skills-Based Interview: Behavioral and situational questions assessing experience with user-centered design, Agile workflows, stakeholder management, and problem-solving.

• Technical/Practical Exercise: Potentially a short content design challenge or a take-home assignment to evaluate practical application of skills.

• Final Interview: May involve a discussion with a senior leader or team manager to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or impact. Use clear headings for each case study.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each project. Explain the "why" behind your decisions, not just the "what."

• Quantify: Whenever possible, include metrics that demonstrate the impact of your content. Use percentages, numbers, or clear qualitative benefits.

• Process Focus: Highlight your process – research, ideation, iteration, testing, and how you collaborated with others.

• Clarity: Ensure your content is error-free and easy to read. Use visuals effectively to showcase your work.

• Tailor: Briefly explain why your work is relevant to RBS and the financial services industry, if possible.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and understand any assignment instructions, timelines, and deliverables.

• Simulate Constraints: If given a take-home challenge, try to simulate the time constraints and collaborative environment you might face in the actual role.

• Focus on Process: Even in a short exercise, demonstrate your thought process and how you'd approach the problem.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your work, whether it's a portfolio walkthrough or a challenge solution. Be ready to articulate your choices concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is likely to be the most critical part of the interview process for this role. Candidates should prepare thoroughly to articulate their design thinking and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Content Design & Writing: Proficiency in standard writing and editing tools.

• Prototyping & Wireframing Tools: Experience with tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, or similar, for creating wireframes and interactive prototypes where content is integrated.

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace for communication and collaboration.

• Project Management Tools: Experience with Jira, Confluence, Asana, or similar for tracking tasks, sprints, and project progress.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Tools: Basic understanding of tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal product analytics platforms to interpret user behavior data and inform content decisions.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Familiarity with tools or methodologies for conducting A/B tests on content variations.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, an understanding of how content interfaces with customer journeys managed by CRM systems could be beneficial. Experience with content management systems (CMS) is also relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, a strong command of industry-standard UX design and collaboration software is expected. The emphasis is on practical application within a product development workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs through clear and effective content.

• Collaboration: A belief in the power of working together across disciplines to achieve the best outcomes.

• Excellence: Striving for high-quality, accurate, and accessible content that upholds the RBS brand.

• Continuous Improvement: A dedication to learning, iterating, and refining processes and content based on feedback and data.

• Integrity: Upholding the high standards of trust and reliability expected in the financial services sector.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless integration with product, design, research, and development teams.

• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparency in all interactions.

• Data-Driven Dialogue: Using research, data, and user feedback as the foundation for discussions and decision-making.

• Shared Ownership: Fostering a sense of shared responsibility for the success of digital products and customer experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at RBS, like many large financial institutions, will likely balance a professional, results-oriented approach with a growing emphasis on user experience and modern work practices. Candidates should demonstrate adaptability and a collaborative spirit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Financial Regulations: Balancing creative content design with stringent regulatory requirements and compliance standards common in banking.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Managing diverse stakeholder expectations and influencing decisions in a large, complex organization.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication within a "Remote First" environment.

• Pace of Change: Adapting to evolving digital trends and customer expectations within the fast-moving financial technology landscape.

• Project Scope Management: Effectively defining and managing content design scope for projects of varying sizes within the 12-month timeframe.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of content challenges and best practices within the financial services sector.

• Advanced UX Skills: Enhancing skills in areas like information architecture, user research interpretation, and interaction design through practical application.

• Agile & Remote Work Proficiency: Honing skills in working effectively within Agile frameworks and distributed teams.

• Portfolio Building: Adding robust, impactful projects to a professional portfolio that demonstrate significant contributions.

• Networking: Building connections within a large, established organization that could lead to future opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a chance to tackle complex content challenges within a regulated industry, providing valuable experience for future career growth in UX operations or specialized content roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance user needs with strict regulatory requirements for content. How did you approach it?"

• "Walk me through a content design project where you significantly influenced stakeholder decisions. What was your strategy?"

• "How do you approach defining the scope and success metrics for a new content design initiative?"

• "Describe a situation where user research revealed a significant challenge. How did you translate those findings into content solutions?"

• "How do you stay updated on accessibility standards and ensure your content is inclusive?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about RBS and its role in the financial services industry?"

• "How do you see your content design skills contributing to RBS's customer experience goals?"

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a positive collaborative culture, especially in a remote setting."

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your content?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the research/data that informed your decisions, your specific contributions, and the outcome.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the value of your work (e.g., "reduced customer support queries by X%," "improved task completion rate by Y%").

• Tell a Story: Engage your audience by creating a narrative around each project.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and how you collaborated with others.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: Show how you iterated on your designs based on feedback and testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for not only strong content design skills but also an understanding of the operational context, stakeholder management abilities, and a proactive, collaborative mindset suitable for a large financial institution.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the official RBS careers portal via the provided link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with user-centered design, Agile methodologies, content strategy, and collaboration within multidisciplinary teams. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills in content design, user research application, and measurable impact. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your process, your contributions, and the results.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your process, and quantifiable outcomes. Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your design decisions.

• Research RBS: Understand RBS's mission, values, and its position within the financial services industry. Consider how your content design approach aligns with their customer-centric goals and regulatory environment.

• Craft a Cover Letter (if applicable): Briefly explain your interest in the role, your relevant experience, and why you are a good fit for a 12-month contract at RBS.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.