Principal Content Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Content Designer Company: Gen Location: Prague, Czechia; Dublin, Ireland; London, United Kingdom Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Content Design / UX Strategy Date Posted: 2025-09-12 Experience Level: Senior / Principal (10+ years implied) Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic vision and execution of content design across a product pillar, ensuring cohesive, customer-centric, and data-informed user experiences.
• Shape and evangelize best practices for AI-powered content and user experiences, focusing on usability, trustworthiness, and adoption.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Product Design, Product Management, Engineering, Research, and Marketing to deliver integrated, human-centered digital products.
• Mentor and elevate the craft of other Content Designers, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Principal Content Designer," the required experience of 8+ years, coupled with leading strategy and mentoring, strongly suggests a senior or principal-level role within a larger organization. The emphasis on AI integration and systems thinking indicates a forward-looking approach to content strategy in a complex digital product ecosystem.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and drive the content design vision and strategy for a specific product pillar, ensuring alignment with broader brand and user experience goals.
• Design, test, and deliver core experience elements, including information architecture, interaction language, product naming conventions, navigation structures, and user flow content.
• Apply systems thinking and established design principles to create scalable and reusable content and interaction patterns across various platforms and global markets.
• Develop and advocate for best practices in designing AI-driven tools and experiences, ensuring clarity, user trust, and effective internal and external adoption.
• Partner with UX Research to validate content decisions, measure user experience impact, and iteratively refine content and experience strategies based on data and user feedback.
• Collaborate deeply with Product Design, Product Management, Engineering, Research, and Marketing teams to ensure cohesive product narratives and user-centered outcomes.
• Work closely with internationalization and localization teams to ensure content is globally relevant and effectively translated.
• Mentor junior and mid-level Content Designers, providing guidance on craft, strategy, and career development, and contributing to team-wide skill enhancement.
• Manage multiple strategic initiatives concurrently, ensuring clarity of focus, efficient execution, and measurable impact, often with minimal direct supervision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design execution, and team mentorship. The emphasis on "systems thinking," "AI-powered experiences," and "global markets" indicates a need for a candidate who can operate at a high level of abstraction while also driving tactical implementation and ensuring scalability.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field such as UX Design, HCI, English, Communications, Technical Writing, or a related discipline is often preferred, though equivalent practical experience is highly valued.

Experience:

• A minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in Content Design, UX Writing, UX Design, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated success in shaping end-to-end digital experiences for complex product ecosystems, preferably within a large-scale technology or software company.
• Proven track record of defining and implementing content strategies that enhance user engagement, comprehension, and overall product usability.

Required Skills:

• Content Design Expertise: Deep understanding of content design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and information architecture.
• Storytelling & Communication: Exceptional narrative, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, concise, and user-friendly language.
• UX & Interaction Design: Strong command of UX design principles, with hands-on experience influencing interaction design, user flows, and overall product experience strategy.
• AI Fluency: Practical experience integrating AI tools and methodologies into design workflows, understanding how to design for AI-powered interactions, and evaluating emerging AI practices for usability and trust.
• Systems Thinking: Proven ability to design for and contribute to scalable systems of reusable content and interaction patterns across diverse platforms and products.
• Collaboration & Influence: Skilled in partnering effectively with cross-functional teams (Product Design, Product Management, Engineering, Research, Marketing) and influencing stakeholders at various organizational levels.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives, drive alignment, mentor other designers, and foster a positive, collaborative team environment.
• Global Experience: Experience working within global, matrixed organizations and a solid understanding of internationalization (i18n) and localization (l10n) best practices.

Preferred Skills:

• Hands-on experience with industry-standard design and collaboration tools such as Figma, Jira, and Confluence.
• Experience with A/B testing and data analysis to inform content and design decisions.
• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS) or content strategy platforms.
• Experience in the digital safety, cybersecurity, or software subscription industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "8+ years" and "Principal" title, combined with leadership and mentorship responsibilities, firmly places this role at a senior level. The emphasis on "AI fluency" and "systems thinking" suggests the company is looking for someone who can not only execute but also strategize and build scalable content frameworks for future product development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong grasp of content design principles applied to complex digital products, showcasing end-to-end user journeys.
• Include case studies that highlight strategic thinking, problem-solving, and the impact of content design on user experience and business objectives.
• Showcase examples of information architecture, interaction language, and product naming within your projects.
• Present work that reflects an understanding of systems thinking, demonstrating how content patterns were designed for scalability and consistency across platforms.
• Provide evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams and how you influenced product decisions through content strategy.
• Include examples of how you have mentored or guided other designers, or how you have contributed to establishing design standards or frameworks.
• If possible, include work that demonstrates experience with AI-assisted design or designing for AI-powered features.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their content design process clearly, from research and discovery through to implementation and iteration.
• Demonstrate experience in user research, content testing (e.g., A/B testing, usability testing), and leveraging data to inform content decisions.
• Showcase how you have contributed to or managed content style guides, glossaries, or content system frameworks to ensure consistency and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Principal Content Designer role, the portfolio is critical. It needs to go beyond individual features to demonstrate strategic impact, system-level thinking, and leadership capabilities. The ability to articulate a robust design process and show tangible results (user satisfaction, engagement, clarity) will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the "Principal" title, 8+ years of experience, and the locations (Prague, Dublin, London), the salary range is expected to be competitive within the tech industry for senior UX/Content Design roles.
  • Prague, Czechia: Estimated range of €65,000 - €95,000 annually, depending on experience and specific qualifications.
  • Dublin, Ireland: Estimated range of €75,000 - €110,000 annually, reflecting higher cost of living and market rates.
  • London, United Kingdom: Estimated range of £75,000 - £110,000 annually.
• These figures are estimates based on industry benchmarks for senior-level design professionals in these regions and may vary based on the company's compensation structure and the candidate's specific profile.

Benefits:

• Annual bonus scheme, providing an incentive for individual and company performance.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) and flexible working hours, promoting work-life balance and autonomy.
• Comprehensive Health Cover and Pension plan, offering financial security and well-being support.
• Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses, supporting continuous learning and professional development.
• Structured Learning & Development plan, outlining opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth.
• Sustainable home improvement bonus, reflecting a commitment to employee well-being and sustainable practices.
• Opportunity to work with leading experts in the Digital Security industry.

Working Hours:

• The company operates on a standard full-time basis, likely around 40 hours per week. The mention of "flexible working hours" suggests a degree of autonomy in scheduling, allowing employees to manage their time effectively within project and team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges provided are estimates based on typical compensation for Principal Content Designers in major European tech hubs. The comprehensive benefits package indicates a strong focus on employee well-being and professional growth, aligning with the company's stated values.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Safety & Security. Gen operates at the forefront of protecting individuals and their digital lives through a suite of well-known brands like Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, and CCleaner. This industry demands innovation, trustworthiness, and a deep understanding of user needs and threats. Company Size: Gen is a large, global leader, indicated by its S&P 500 listing and protection of over 500 million people worldwide. This scale implies a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for significant impact and reach. Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, the company's portfolio of established brands suggests a history of growth and acquisition in the digital security space. This provides a foundation of expertise and market presence.

Team Structure:

• The Content Design team is likely part of a broader Product Design or User Experience organization.
• As a Principal, this role will likely report to a Director or Head of Design/Content Design and will work closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and UX Researchers within specific product teams.
• Collaboration is emphasized across Product Design, Product Management, Engineering, Research, and Marketing, indicating a cross-functional, team-based approach to product development.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a human-centered, data-informed approach to product development, with a focus on intuitive and secure digital experiences.
• Processes likely involve agile methodologies, continuous iteration, user research, and A/B testing to validate design decisions.
• There's a clear directive to define and scale content standards, frameworks, and systems, suggesting a methodical approach to ensuring consistency and quality across a large portfolio.
• The integration of AI into the workflow and the need to set standards for AI-powered experiences highlight a proactive adoption of new technologies.

Company Website: https://www.gendigital.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Gen's position as a leader in digital security suggests a culture that values expertise, innovation, and user trust. The hybrid work model and emphasis on well-being indicate a modern, employee-centric approach to work. The scale of the company means that processes and standards are likely well-defined, but also offer opportunities for significant process improvement and strategic influence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at the Principal level within Content Design, a senior individual contributor track. It signifies a high degree of expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead complex projects and mentor others. It's a position of influence within the design organization. Reporting Structure: The Principal Content Designer will likely report to a Director or VP of Design/Content Design. They will work collaboratively with Product Managers, Engineering teams, and UX Researchers within specific product pillars. The role involves influencing stakeholders across various disciplines and levels. Operations Impact: The Principal Content Designer's impact is significant, directly shaping the user experience and brand perception through language and information architecture. By defining content vision and strategy, they influence product adoption, user satisfaction, and ultimately, customer retention and revenue for Gen's brands. Their work in establishing scalable content systems and best practices for AI will have a lasting impact on product development efficiency and quality.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership within Content Design: Potential to grow into management roles (e.g., Content Design Manager) or take on broader strategic responsibilities across more product pillars or even entire brands.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like AI-driven content, complex information architecture, or specific product domains within digital security.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Develop stronger strategic partnerships with Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing, potentially leading to roles with broader product strategy ownership.
• Industry Recognition: Contribute to thought leadership in content design, AI integration, and digital safety through internal presentations, external speaking engagements, or publications.
• Mentorship Development: Hone leadership and coaching skills through mentoring junior designers, which can be a stepping stone to formal leadership positions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Principal" title implies a significant level of autonomy and influence. Growth opportunities will likely involve increasing scope of responsibility, strategic leadership, and potentially people management, rather than solely focusing on technical skill development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates a hybrid work model, requiring 3 days per week in the office. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed to foster face-to-face interaction, creative discussions, and team building, balanced with the flexibility of remote work. Office Location(s): The role is open to candidates in Prague (Czechia), Dublin (Ireland), and London (United Kingdom). This indicates the company has established hubs in these key European cities, likely equipped with modern amenities and collaborative workspaces.

Workspace Context:

• Employees can expect a dynamic and collaborative workspace that facilitates interaction with colleagues across design, product, engineering, and research disciplines.
• The office environment is likely equipped with the necessary technology and tools to support creative work and cross-functional collaboration.
• Opportunities for informal and formal interactions with team members will be plentiful, supporting relationship building and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, but the company offers "flexible working hours." This allows employees to structure their workday to best suit their productivity and personal needs, provided they meet project deadlines and team collaboration requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with a mix of in-office collaboration and remote work, understanding that the office days are intended for high-impact interactions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review applications and conduct a brief screening call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing relevant case studies that demonstrate their strategic thinking, execution capabilities, and impact. This is often a crucial step for senior design roles.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interviews: Interviews with the hiring manager and potential team members (e.g., other designers, product managers, researchers) to delve deeper into experience, problem-solving skills, and collaboration style.
• Cross-Functional Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product Management, Engineering, or Marketing to assess ability to collaborate and influence across disciplines.
• Executive/Principal-Level Interview: A final stage might involve an interview with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Design, VP of Product) to evaluate strategic vision, leadership potential, and alignment with company goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the solution you designed, and the measurable impact (e.g., improved user satisfaction, increased conversion, reduced errors).
• Showcase Strategy: Highlight how you defined the content vision and strategy, not just the tactical execution of copy. Demonstrate systems thinking and how your solutions scale.
• Demonstrate Process: Be prepared to walk through your end-to-end design process, including how you used research, data, and collaboration to arrive at your solutions.
• Highlight Leadership: Include examples of how you've mentored others, influenced teams, or driven alignment on complex initiatives.
• AI Integration: If you have AI-related projects, clearly explain your approach, the tools used, and the outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for potential take-home assignments or live design exercises focused on content strategy, information architecture, or rewriting/improving existing product content.
• Prepare to discuss how you would approach defining content strategy for a new feature or product pillar.
• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex problems or ambiguous situations.
• Be prepared to discuss your approach to AI in design and how you would ensure ethical and effective implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Principal role will be rigorous, focusing heavily on strategic thinking, leadership, and demonstrated impact. The portfolio presentation is not just a showcase of work but a demonstration of how the candidate thinks and solves problems at a strategic level.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (explicitly mentioned), potentially Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence (explicitly mentioned), Asana, Trello.
• Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel for understanding user behavior and measuring content impact.
• Tools for A/B testing and user feedback collection (e.g., Optimizely, UserTesting.com).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, an understanding of how content interacts with CRM systems or customer data platforms might be beneficial.
• Experience with content management systems (CMS) or headless CMS solutions could be advantageous for managing scalable content.
• Familiarity with tools that support internationalization and localization workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Jira, and Confluence indicates these are core tools for the role. Proficiency in these, along with a general understanding of analytics and customer data, is expected for a Principal Content Designer.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centered Design: Placing the user at the core of all design decisions, ensuring products are intuitive, accessible, and meet user needs.
• Data-Informed Decisions: Utilizing user research, analytics, and testing to guide strategy and validate design choices, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaboration & Inclusion: Fostering a team environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and cross-functional partnerships are strong.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging experimentation, learning from failures, and actively seeking ways to enhance products and processes.
• Clarity & Trust: Prioritizing clear communication and building trust through reliable, secure, and understandable digital experiences.
• Scalability & Systems Thinking: Designing solutions that are robust, reusable, and can be effectively applied across a broad product portfolio and global markets.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, UX Research, and Marketing to ensure a unified product vision and execution.
• Proactive Communication: A culture that values open and honest communication, with designers actively sharing insights, challenges, and progress.
• Mentorship and Craft Elevation: The team likely encourages knowledge sharing and mutual support, with senior members actively mentoring and elevating the skills of others.
• Feedback Loops: Regular opportunities for constructive feedback on work, both for individuals and for team processes, driving continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "human-centered," "data-informed," and "collaboration" aligns with modern UX best practices. The specific mention of "AI-powered experiences" and "scalability" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design within the company.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: Managing content strategy and design across multiple global brands (Norton, Avast, etc.) and diverse product lines presents a significant complexity challenge.
• Balancing Strategy and Execution: As a Principal, there's a need to balance high-level strategic vision with hands-on design execution and mentorship.
• AI Integration Ambiguity: Defining standards and best practices for AI-powered experiences is an emerging field, requiring adaptability and continuous learning.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent application of content principles and strategies across numerous teams and stakeholders can be challenging.
• Global Consistency vs. Local Relevance: Achieving global consistency in content while respecting localization nuances and cultural differences requires careful planning and execution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced AI in Design: Opportunities to deep dive into AI tools and methodologies for content creation, user interaction, and workflow optimization.
• Strategic Leadership Skills: Developing expertise in product strategy, roadmap influence, and stakeholder management.
• Mentorship and Coaching: Refining leadership skills through formal and informal mentorship programs.
• Industry Benchmarking: Engaging with industry trends and best practices in content design, UX strategy, and AI integration within the digital security space.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining deeper insights into Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing functions to foster more effective collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in large, complex organizations. The growth opportunities are geared towards expanding strategic influence, leadership capabilities, and expertise in emerging areas like AI within design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define the content strategy for a new AI-powered feature within our Norton product suite?" (Focus on user needs, AI capabilities, ethical considerations, and measurable outcomes).
• "Describe a time you had to influence a cross-functional team (e.g., Engineering, Product Management) to adopt your content design recommendations. What was your approach and the result?" (Highlight collaboration, data-driven persuasion, and stakeholder management).
• "How do you approach designing for scalability and consistency across multiple products and platforms? Can you provide an example from your portfolio?" (Focus on systems thinking, reusable patterns, and style guides).
• "What are your thoughts on the ethical implications of AI in content design, and how do you ensure user trust and transparency?" (Demonstrate awareness of AI challenges and your approach to mitigating them).
• "How would you mentor a junior content designer who is struggling with information architecture for a complex product?" (Showcase leadership, coaching skills, and understanding of core content design principles).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Gen's mission in digital safety?" (Research the company's brands and impact).
• "How do you see your role contributing to our hybrid work model and collaborative culture?" (Align your working style with the company's stated values).
• "Based on your understanding of Gen, what do you see as the biggest opportunities for content design to drive user value?" (Show strategic thinking and company research).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically: Problem -> Your Role & Process -> Solution -> Impact & Learnings.
• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each case study, focusing on the "why" behind your decisions.
• Quantify Impact: Use metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the success of your work. If metrics aren't available, articulate the qualitative improvements and user benefits clearly.
• Highlight Systems: Point out where your work demonstrates systems thinking and scalability.
• Discuss AI: If applicable, clearly articulate your experience and approach to AI in design.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, challenges encountered, and alternative approaches considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership, and a deep understanding of content design principles applied at scale, with a specific emphasis on AI integration and cross-functional collaboration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Content Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Gen's career portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects that demonstrate strategic content vision, systems thinking, complex problem-solving, and leadership. Prioritize case studies showcasing end-to-end product experiences and measurable impact.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight the 8+ years of experience, specific skills in Content Design, UX Design, AI fluency, and systems thinking. Use keywords from the job description and quantify achievements wherever possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, strategic rationale, and leadership approach. Prepare specific examples for common behavioral and situational questions, focusing on how you drive clarity, trust, and user-centered outcomes. Rehearse your portfolio presentation to be concise, impactful, and engaging.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Gen's brands (Norton, Avast, etc.), its mission in digital safety, and its hybrid work culture. Understand the competitive landscape and identify areas where content design can significantly influence user experience and business objectives.

⚠️ 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.