Content Designer III - Experience Design (XD)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Content Designer III - Experience Design (XD)

Company: Expedia Group

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Experience Design / Content Strategy

Date Posted: 2026-08-19

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive content strategy and design impactful user experiences within the Experience Design (XD) team, focusing on product content for Expedia and Insurance.

• Develop and implement human-centered content strategies that enhance usability, consistency, and helpfulness across product interfaces, from onboarding to transactional flows.

• Utilize UX writing, storytelling, and information architecture principles to create clear, accessible, and engaging content solutions that meet user needs and business objectives.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Product Design, Research, Legal, and Marketing to ensure a cohesive and effective end-to-end user journey.

• Leverage qualitative and quantitative insights, alongside AI technologies like prompt engineering, to inform content decisions and optimize operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Content Designer III, indicating a mid-to-senior level of experience requiring independent work, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence stakeholders. The emphasis on "Experience Design (XD)" and "Content-first approach" highlights a deep integration of content into the overall user experience design process, moving beyond traditional UX writing.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and craft intuitive, accessible, and user-centered content for various product touchpoints, including onboarding flows, in-app education, transactional journeys, and push notifications.

• Apply information architecture methodologies, such as content modeling and mapping, to develop scalable and consistent content solutions across the product portfolio.

• Conduct comprehensive content audits, analyze existing content, and restructure or create new content to improve clarity, usability, and brand consistency.

• Partner with Product Design and Research teams to design and execute content tests, leveraging human-centered design (HCD) methods to measurably enhance the traveler experience.

• Identify, log, prioritize, and resolve content bugs across the product portfolio to ensure a seamless and error-free user experience.

• Develop and champion a holistic content strategy for loyalty programs, ensuring alignment across all product areas and user segments.

• Utilize qualitative research findings, quantitative data, and business analytics to derive actionable content insights and inform strategic decisions.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance the accessibility, inclusion, readability, and translatability of product content, adhering to global standards.

• Facilitate and present compelling rationales for content decisions to peers, partners, and key stakeholders, including Legal, Marketing, and senior leadership, using strong persuasion and negotiation skills.

• Influence stakeholders to balance traveler satisfaction with business objectives, advocating for the best possible user-centered content experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strategic and data-driven approach to content design, requiring the candidate to not only write but also to strategically plan, audit, analyze, and test content. The mention of influencing stakeholders and balancing traveler needs with business objectives points to a need for strong communication and negotiation skills, typical of a senior-level operations-adjacent role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a related technical field (e.g., HCI, Communications, English, Computer Science) or equivalent related professional experience in core content design skills.

Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience as a Content Designer, UX Writer, or Content Strategist, with a proven track record of creating impactful product content.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in human-centered content strategy and design principles.

• Proficient in auditing, analyzing, structuring, and creating compelling UX content for diverse product use cases.

• Strong ability to apply information architecture methods, including content modeling and mapping, to design scalable content solutions.

• Skillful in using established frameworks to independently design and implement content within user-focused product experiences.

• Excellent facilitation and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate the rationale behind content strategies and decisions to various audiences, including leadership.

• Proven expertise in persuasion and negotiation to achieve optimal experiences that balance user satisfaction and business objectives.

• Experience applying human-centered design (HCD) practices throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Ability to leverage qualitative and quantitative insights, alongside business analytics, to drive content strategy.

• Understanding of accessibility, inclusion, readability, and translatability standards for product content. Preferred Skills:

• Experience developing content solutions for multiple user segments and across different brands.

• Familiarity with AI technologies, including prompt engineering, for enhancing content strategy and operational efficiency.

• Experience in the travel industry and/or working with loyalty programs.

• Demonstrated ability to design thoughtful, empathetic, and inclusive experiences that cater to diverse user needs.

• Experience in solving complex content problems and driving retention through content strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "related technical field" or equivalent professional experience emphasizes that this is not a purely creative writing role but one grounded in product development and user experience principles. The explicit mention of "UX Writing, content audits and analysis, content mapping and modeling, information architecture, content planning and sourcing, conversational design, and storytelling" clarifies the expected technical competencies. The portfolio requirement specifically asking for examples of driving retention in Loyalty and Membership areas is a critical differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a strong design thinking approach and honed UX writing skills.

• Specific examples demonstrating how content strategy and design influenced and enhanced cross-functional thinking.

• Case studies highlighting contributions to driving retention, particularly within Loyalty and Membership programs.

• Evidence of applying human-centered design (HCD) principles to solve complex content challenges.

• Examples of how data and user research informed content decisions and led to measurable improvements.

• Demonstrations of creating scalable and consistent content solutions using information architecture principles (content modeling, mapping). Process Documentation:

• Examples of content audit methodologies and analysis reports.

• Documentation of content modeling and mapping processes used in previous projects.

• Case studies detailing the process of designing and testing content solutions for specific product features or user journeys.

• Evidence of collaborating with UX researchers and Product Designers to integrate content into the end-to-end design process.

• Documentation of how content accessibility and inclusivity were considered and implemented.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that showcases "influence on cross-functional thinking" and "driving retention in Loyalty and Membership areas" is crucial. This suggests that candidates should prepare case studies that not only demonstrate writing skill but also strategic impact and a deep understanding of business objectives related to customer loyalty and engagement. The inclusion of AI prompt engineering in preferred skills means portfolios might benefit from examples of how AI was leveraged for efficiency or enhanced content creation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $128,000.00 - $179,500.00 USD per year. Employees in this role have the potential to increase their pay up to $205,000.00 based on sustained performance.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

• Generous paid time off (PTO).

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support.

• Wellness and travel reimbursement to encourage personal well-being and exploration.

• Discounted travel rates and an International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN) membership.

• Parental leave to support new parents.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week, with a flexible work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to Chicago. The note about potential pay increases based on "ongoing, demonstrated, and sustained performance" indicates a performance-driven compensation structure common in senior roles. The benefits package is comprehensive, with specific perks like travel reimbursements and discounts that align with Expedia Group's industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Travel Technology / E-commerce. Expedia Group operates as a global travel company, leveraging technology to connect travelers with a vast array of travel services. This dynamic industry requires continuous innovation and adaptation to evolving consumer preferences and technological advancements.

Company Size: Expedia Group is a large, publicly traded company with a significant global presence. This size offers opportunities for diverse career paths, large-scale impact, and exposure to complex operational challenges, while also requiring adaptability within a structured corporate environment.

Founded: Expedia Group has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1996. This long-standing presence in the travel industry signifies stability, deep market knowledge, and a history of innovation and adaptation.

Team Structure:

• The Content Designer III will be part of the Experience Design (XD) team, a cross-disciplinary group that integrates Product Design, Content Design, and Research.

• This team operates globally, fostering collaboration across different regions and time zones.

• The role reports to the Senior Content Design Manager, indicating a clear reporting line and access to senior leadership within the design function.

• Collaboration is expected across product teams, research, Legal, Marketing, and potentially Engineering, highlighting the interconnected nature of the role within the broader product development lifecycle. Methodology:

• Human-Centered Design (HCD): The core methodology emphasizes understanding user needs, behaviors, and motivations to create intuitive and effective experiences.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Insights from qualitative user research and quantitative business analytics are used to inform content strategy and product improvements.

• Content-First Approach: Content is treated as a fundamental element of the user experience from the initial design stages, not as an afterthought.

• Agile Development: While not explicitly stated, the nature of working in cross-functional product teams suggests an agile or iterative development process.

• AI Integration: A growing emphasis on leveraging AI technologies, including prompt engineering, to enhance content creation and operational efficiency.

Company Website: https://careers.expediagroup.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights Expedia Group's position as a major player in the travel tech industry, emphasizing innovation and scale. The XD team structure points to a collaborative and integrated approach to product development, where content design is a critical component of the overall user experience strategy. The explicit mention of HCD and data-driven methods aligns with modern product development practices.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Content Designer III signifies a mid-to-senior individual contributor role. This level requires not only strong execution skills but also the ability to lead projects, mentor junior team members, and influence strategic decisions within the design and product teams. The focus on content strategy and end-to-end experience design suggests a significant scope of responsibility.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Senior Content Design Manager. This structure provides mentorship, guidance, and a clear path for career progression within the Content Design discipline. It also implies that the Senior Manager will be involved in strategic alignment and performance feedback.

Operations Impact: The Content Designer's work directly impacts the traveler experience, influencing engagement, conversion, retention, and overall satisfaction. By creating clear, helpful, and human-centered content, the role contributes to Expedia Group's mission of powering global travel and driving business objectives, particularly in loyalty programs. This role bridges the gap between user needs and business goals through effective communication design.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like loyalty program content, transactional flows, or accessibility within content design.

• Leadership Development: Progress to Senior Content Designer, Lead Content Designer, or management roles, overseeing teams and strategic initiatives.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Transition into related roles such as UX Design, Product Management, or Content Strategy leadership within other divisions of Expedia Group.

• Skill Enhancement: Develop advanced skills in areas like AI prompt engineering, advanced information architecture, and inclusive design practices through internal training and project work.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to shaping content design best practices within the travel tech industry through internal knowledge sharing and potential external contributions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Content Designer III role is positioned as a key contributor with significant influence. The growth opportunities highlight both vertical progression within content design and horizontal movement into related product development functions, offering a broad career trajectory within a large organization like Expedia Group. The emphasis on "operations impact" is framed through the lens of user experience and business outcomes like retention.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Expedia Group offers a "flexible work environment" with a "Chicago HQ" and potential for additional locations. This suggests a hybrid model where employees can work from the office, remotely, or a combination, depending on team needs and role requirements. The company mentions "some pretty cool offices," indicating an emphasis on creating engaging and functional workspaces.

Office Location(s): The primary location mentioned is Chicago, Illinois, USA. Expedia Group has numerous offices globally, but this specific role is tied to the Chicago hub.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and cross-disciplinary team structure foster collaboration, with opportunities for in-person brainstorming and team meetings in the office.

• Tools and Technology: Employees will have access to standard professional tools and likely specialized design and content management software required for their roles. The description notes the use of AI technologies, implying access to relevant platforms or tools.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with Product Designers, Researchers, Content Strategists, and Product Managers is expected, both virtually and potentially in person.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule of approximately 40 hours per week is expected. The "flexible work environment" suggests some autonomy in managing work hours, provided deliverables are met and collaboration needs are satisfied. This flexibility is beneficial for balancing personal life with the demands of complex content design projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "flexible work environment" and "hybrid" status are key aspects. While based in Chicago, the role allows for a mix of remote and in-office work, which is attractive to many professionals. The company's investment in office spaces suggests that when in-office, the environment is conducive to collaboration and productivity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely review applications and resumes to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: This stage typically involves a conversation with the hiring manager and potentially other team members to discuss experience, skills, and cultural fit. Behavioral questions and scenario-based questions related to content design challenges will be common.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing key projects, their process, and the impact of their work. This is a critical stage where design thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills are evaluated. Expect detailed questions about your contributions, challenges, and outcomes.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: A practical exercise or case study may be assigned to assess specific skills like UX writing, content strategy development, or problem-solving within a given scenario.

• Final Interviews: May involve interviews with senior leadership or cross-functional partners to ensure alignment and assess strategic thinking.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills and experience required for this role, especially those related to loyalty, retention, and complex product experiences.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role and process, the challenges faced, the solutions you designed (with specific content examples), and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Strategy: Emphasize your strategic thinking, how you used research and data, and how your content decisions aligned with user needs and business goals.

• Showcase Collaboration: Detail how you partnered with designers, researchers, product managers, and other stakeholders.

• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced support tickets, increased engagement).

• Address AI Usage: If applicable, include examples of how you've leveraged AI tools (like prompt engineering) to enhance your workflow or outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a case study, thoroughly understand the problem statement, target audience, and business objectives.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a clear, human-centered design process, even in a condensed format.

• Content-First Mindset: Show how you would approach content strategy and design for the given problem.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: Consider how you would ensure the proposed solution is accessible and inclusive.

• Presentation Skills: Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, managing your time effectively, and confidently answering questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and presentation is paramount for this role. Candidates must be prepared to not only show their work but also to articulate their strategic thinking, process, and the business impact of their content design decisions. The specific mention of loyalty and retention in the portfolio requirements is a key signal for what Expedia Group values.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Experience with various CMS platforms used for managing and publishing digital content.

• Design & Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD for designing and prototyping user interfaces, and collaborating with design teams.

• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for real-time communication and team collaboration.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools such as Jira, Asana, or Trello for task tracking, workflow management, and project planning.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar to track user behavior, content performance, and conversion rates.

• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or built-in analytics dashboards to interpret data and present insights.

• User Feedback Platforms: Tools for collecting and analyzing user feedback, surveys, and usability testing results.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a direct CRM role, understanding how content impacts customer journeys within CRM systems (like Salesforce) is beneficial.

• AI Tools: Explicitly mentioned is the need for curiosity and experience with emerging AI technologies, including prompt engineering, for enhancing strategy and operational efficiency. This may involve AI writing assistants or content generation platforms.

• Content Auditing Tools: Specialized software or methodologies for conducting comprehensive content audits and analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't list specific tools, the responsibilities and required skills imply proficiency in standard UX design and content strategy tools. The explicit mention of AI technologies and prompt engineering is a significant detail, suggesting that candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience or willingness to learn in this area.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Traveler First: A core value that emphasizes prioritizing the needs and experiences of travelers in all decision-making. For a Content Designer, this means ensuring content is helpful, clear, and empathetic.

• Think Big: Encourages ambitious goals and innovative solutions. Content Designers are expected to approach complex problems with creative and scalable strategies.

• Operate with Excellence: Focuses on high standards, efficiency, and quality in execution. This translates to delivering polished, accurate, and well-tested content.

• Ownership Mindset: Promotes taking responsibility for outcomes and driving initiatives to completion. Content Designers are expected to own their projects from conception to implementation and iteration.

• Succeed Together: Highlights the importance of collaboration and mutual support. Content Designers must work effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Content Designers are integral members of cross-disciplinary teams, working closely with Product Designers, Researchers, Product Managers, and Engineers.

• Data-Informed Dialogue: Collaboration is often driven by data and user insights, fostering objective discussions about content effectiveness and user needs.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: An open culture that encourages constructive feedback exchange to refine content strategies and designs.

• Partnership with Stakeholders: Strong emphasis on influencing and negotiating with stakeholders (Legal, Marketing, etc.) to ensure alignment and optimal outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Behaviors" listed by Expedia Group (Traveler First, Think Big, Operate with Excellence, Ownership Mindset, Succeed Together) are crucial indicators of the company's operational values. Candidates should align their responses and portfolio examples with these behaviors, demonstrating how they embody them in their work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: A perpetual challenge in product design is ensuring content is both user-centric and supports business objectives like retention and conversion.

• Content Scalability Across Brands: Developing content strategies and guidelines that can be effectively applied across multiple Expedia Group brands requires careful planning and robust systems.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Safely and effectively integrating AI technologies into content workflows while maintaining quality, brand voice, and ethical standards presents a novel challenge.

• Global Accessibility and Translation: Ensuring content is accessible to all users and accurately translatable across numerous languages requires specialized knowledge and rigorous testing.

• Driving Measurable Impact: Demonstrating the direct impact of content design on key business metrics, especially in complex, multi-faceted user journeys.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Prompt Engineering: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge AI tools for content strategy and creation.

• Advanced UX Methodologies: Deepen expertise in areas like information architecture, user research synthesis, and inclusive design.

• Cross-Brand Content Strategy: Gain experience in developing and managing content across a diverse portfolio of travel brands.

• Leadership and Mentorship: Potential to grow into senior or lead roles, mentoring junior designers and contributing to team strategy.

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of evolving trends in UX, content design, and the travel technology sector through internal resources and potentially external training.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in large tech companies, requiring strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. The growth opportunities are well-defined, offering clear paths for professional development within the content design field and beyond.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex content problem you solved for a user-facing product. What was your process, what were the challenges, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your strategic approach, use of data, and measurable impact.)

• "How do you approach developing a content strategy for a new feature or product, especially one focused on loyalty or retention?" (Emphasize your methodology, user research integration, and alignment with business goals.)

• "Walk us through a time you had to influence stakeholders (e.g., Legal, Product, Engineering) to adopt your content recommendations. How did you persuade them?" (Highlight your negotiation, communication, and collaboration skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Expedia Group and this role, how would you ensure our content is 'Traveler First'?" (Connect your work to the company's core values.)

• "How do you see AI technologies, such as prompt engineering, fitting into the future of content design within a company like Expedia?" (Show your forward-thinking approach and curiosity.)

• "Describe your experience working in a cross-functional team. How do you ensure effective collaboration and alignment on content decisions?" (Demonstrate your teamwork and communication style.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem statement, your specific role and contributions, the design process, key decisions, challenges, solutions, and quantifiable results.

• Highlight Strategic Thinking: Articulate why you made certain content choices, linking them to user needs, business objectives, and HCD principles.

• Showcase Collaboration: Explain how you worked with other disciplines (design, research, product) and managed stakeholder feedback.

• Demonstrate Impact: Use metrics and data to showcase the success of your work, especially in areas like retention or user engagement.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, decision-making, and the specifics of your contributions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating strategic thinking, a deep understanding of the user, business impact, and strong collaboration skills, all within the context of Expedia Group's values and the specific requirements of a Content Designer III role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Content Designer III position:

• Submit your application through the Expedia Group careers portal via the provided link.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords and experiences directly matching the job description, such as "Content Strategy," "UX Writing," "Information Architecture," "Human-Centered Design," and any experience with loyalty programs or the travel industry. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate your strongest projects, focusing on case studies that demonstrate your strategic thinking, problem-solving process, collaboration, and measurable impact. Ensure it aligns with the "Traveler First" and retention-focused requirements.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your strategic rationale, and confidently answering questions about your process and outcomes. Be ready to discuss your approach to content strategy and design challenges.

• Research Expedia Group: Familiarize yourself with Expedia Group's mission, values (Traveler First, Think Big, etc.), brands, and recent initiatives. Understand their position in the travel industry and how content design contributes to their overall strategy.

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