Senior UX Copywriter

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Copywriter

Company: Shaker Recruitment Marketing

Location: Oak Park, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Human Resources

Date Posted: May 11, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic development and execution of compelling copy content for career website experiences, focusing on attracting, engaging, and converting top talent.

• Translate complex employer brand narratives into clear, candidate-centric digital stories that resonate across various user journeys and platforms.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with creative directors, designers, strategists, and client stakeholders to deliver best-in-class digital recruitment marketing solutions.

• Mentor junior creative team members, championing high standards for UX writing, brand voice consistency, and overall content quality in recruitment marketing initiatives.

• Drive innovation and process improvement within the career website practice, ensuring scalable and effective content solutions for a diverse client base.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Copywriter within a recruitment marketing agency. The core function revolves around crafting digital content for career websites, emphasizing employer branding and candidate experience. The "operations" aspect is derived from the need for strategic content development, process optimization for website builds, cross-functional collaboration, and mentoring, all of which are critical for efficient and effective GTM execution in a marketing context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Content Strategy & Development: Lead the creation of comprehensive copy content for career websites, including developing messaging frameworks, content hierarchies, and establishing voice/tone guidelines to align with employer brands.

• Candidate Journey Mapping: Apply a deep understanding of candidate journey stages (awareness, consideration, apply) to inform content sequencing, page architecture recommendations, and overall user flow optimization.

• Brand Storytelling: Translate abstract employer brand concepts into concrete, engaging digital narratives that bring company culture and values to life for potential candidates.

• UX/UI Integration: Work closely with UX/UI designers to ensure seamless integration of copy and visual elements, creating cohesive and intuitive digital experiences.

• Client Presentation & Advisory: Confidently present copy concepts, creative decisions, and strategic recommendations to clients, acting as a trusted advisor on recruitment marketing content best practices.

• Content Optimization: Write and optimize copy for accessibility, readability (plain language, heading structure), and SEO/AEO best practices to enhance discoverability and user engagement.

• Mentorship & Quality Assurance: Mentor and guide creative team members on digital/website-specific writing, proofreading, and editing to ensure consistent brand voice and elevate overall output quality.

• Process Improvement: Partner with creative team leaders and project managers to develop and refine repeatable processes for career website content development and implementation.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with strategists, designers, developers, and project managers to ensure content aligns with talent personas, user experience goals, and project timelines.

• Trend Analysis: Stay current on industry trends in UX writing, employer branding, recruitment marketing, and career website best practices to inform strategic recommendations and creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are extrapolated from the provided job description, focusing on the strategic and execution aspects of UX copywriting within a recruitment marketing context. The emphasis is on leadership, client interaction, and process development, aligning with senior-level operations in a creative agency setting.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior UX Copywriter role.

Experience:

• 5–8+ years of professional copywriting experience, preferably within an agency or in-house marketing environment.

• Demonstrated experience in employer branding and talent marketing is highly advantageous.

• Proven track record of writing for digital experiences, particularly websites, with a strong portfolio showcasing brand storytelling and UX/UI integration.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional Writing & Editing: Superior command of the English language, with a demonstrated ability to craft clear, concise, and compelling copy.

• Digital Storytelling: Ability to translate brand strategy and values into engaging narratives for digital platforms, especially career websites.

• Brand Voice & Tone: Strong understanding of developing and maintaining consistent brand voice, tone, and messaging systems across all content.

• UX/UI Acumen: Understanding of user experience principles and how copy supports intuitive navigation, engagement, and conversion within digital interfaces.

• Client Presentation & Communication: Confidence and skill in presenting creative work, articulating strategic decisions, and collaborating effectively with internal teams and external clients.

• SEO/AEO Fundamentals: Sound knowledge of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Applicant Engagement Optimization (AEO) best practices for incorporating keywords strategically.

Preferred Skills:

• Content Strategy: Experience in developing content strategies for digital platforms, including content hierarchies and messaging frameworks.

• Accessibility Standards: Familiarity with accessibility guidelines (e.g., WCAG) and plain language principles for inclusive content.

• CMS Platform Proficiency: Experience working with various Content Management Systems.

• Talent Marketing Expertise: Deep understanding of recruitment marketing principles and candidate attraction strategies.

• Mentorship Experience: Proven ability to guide and mentor junior creative professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications are synthesized from the job description, with a focus on the experience and skills directly relevant to a senior-level UX Copywriter role in recruitment marketing. The "operations" inference comes from the emphasis on process, strategy, and leadership, which are key components of operational excellence in creative services.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Digital Showcase: A robust portfolio demonstrating a minimum of 5-8 years of digital copywriting work, with a strong emphasis on career websites and employer branding initiatives.

• Brand Storytelling Examples: Specific case studies or examples that clearly articulate how you translated complex employer brands into compelling digital narratives and candidate experiences.

• UX/UI Integration: Samples that illustrate your ability to collaborate with designers and integrate copy seamlessly within UX/UI frameworks, showing an understanding of user flow and content hierarchy.

• Strategic Content: Examples of messaging frameworks, content strategies, or voice/tone guidelines you have developed for digital platforms.

• Performance Impact (if possible): While not explicitly requested, any examples that hint at the impact of your copy on candidate engagement, application rates, or employer brand perception will be highly valued.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Evidence of how you approach developing repeatable processes for content creation, review, and implementation within a team or agency setting.

• Content Standards: Examples of style guides, voice and tone documentation, or accessibility checklists you have contributed to or developed.

• Collaboration Protocols: Insights into how you manage feedback, incorporate revisions, and collaborate with cross-functional teams (design, strategy, development) to ensure project success.

• Client Communication Samples: Demonstrations of how you present creative work and articulate strategic decisions to clients, particularly in the context of recruitment marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is tailored to the specific requirements of a UX Copywriter role, focusing on the tangible outputs and process-oriented thinking expected in a creative and client-facing position. The emphasis on process documentation highlights the operational aspect of ensuring consistency and efficiency in creative delivery.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior UX Copywriter in the Chicago metropolitan area (Oak Park, IL) with 5-8+ years of experience, the estimated salary range is approximately $90,000 - $130,000 USD annually. This range accounts for the specified experience level, the senior nature of the role, and the agency environment which often commands higher compensation for specialized creative talent.

Benefits:

• Competitive Pay: As stated in the job description, offering a salary within the competitive market range.

• Health Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance coverage, likely including medical, dental, and vision plans.

• Financial Benefits: This could encompass retirement savings plans (e.g., 401(k) with potential company match), life insurance, disability insurance, and potentially other financial wellness programs.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, staying current with industry trends, and potential support for certifications or training.

• Collaborative Work Environment: The chance to work with innovative, friendly colleagues in an energetic and fun culture.

Working Hours:

The role is full-time, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. While the core hours are standard business hours, there may be flexibility depending on project deadlines and client needs, with the expectation of meeting timelines without compromising quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general market data for similar roles and locations. The benefits are directly pulled from the job description. The working hours are inferred from the "Full-time" employment type.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Recruitment Marketing / Talent Marketing / Advertising & Marketing. Shaker Recruitment Marketing operates within a specialized niche of the broader marketing and human resources industries, focusing on how organizations attract and retain talent through strategic branding and digital experiences.

Company Size: Shaker Recruitment Marketing is likely a mid-sized agency, given the mention of a "tight-knit community" and the need for a Senior UX Copywriter to mentor others, suggesting a growing but not overwhelmingly large team. The company has been in business for 75 years, indicating stability and established expertise.

Founded: 1949 (75 years ago from 2024). This long history signifies a deep understanding of the recruitment marketing landscape and a proven ability to adapt to evolving talent attraction strategies.

Team Structure:

• Creative Team: The Senior UX Copywriter will be part of a creative department, likely working closely with Creative Directors, Designers, Strategists, and potentially other Copywriters.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: This role requires significant collaboration with Project Managers, Client Service/Account Teams, and potentially MarTech or Analytics specialists to ensure integrated campaign execution.

• Reporting: The Senior UX Copywriter will likely report to a Creative Director or a similar leadership role within the creative department, with a responsibility to mentor and guide more junior members of the copywriting or content team.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: Shaker emphasizes strategies that "lead with insight," suggesting a data-informed approach to understanding talent markets and candidate behavior.

• Creativity & Innovation: The agency is "fueled by creativity" and driven by "innovation," indicating a culture that values original thinking and cutting-edge solutions.

• Client-Centric Solutions: The core mission is to "transform companies by connecting them to the right solutions for their most complex talent needs," highlighting a focus on client success and problem-solving.

• Process-Oriented Delivery: The need for developing "repeatable processes" and ensuring "content quality standards" points to a structured approach to creative production and client service delivery.

Company Website: shaker.com

📝 Enhancement Note: This section synthesizes information from the company description and inferred aspects of an agency environment. The focus is on how the company's mission, industry, and size impact the operations and culture of its creative teams.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as Senior, indicating a level of expertise, autonomy, and leadership responsibility. A Senior UX Copywriter is expected to not only execute high-quality work but also to contribute to strategy, mentor others, and influence process improvements within their domain. They are key contributors to the agency's operational efficiency and creative output.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Copywriter will likely report to a Creative Director or Head of Content. They will collaborate closely with designers, strategists, account managers, and project managers, and will mentor junior copywriters or content specialists. This structure emphasizes cross-functional teamwork and hierarchical guidance.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to the success of client recruitment marketing campaigns. By crafting compelling career website experiences, the Senior UX Copywriter directly influences a company's ability to attract qualified candidates, strengthen its employer brand, and ultimately achieve its talent acquisition goals. This role is critical for the agency's ability to deliver measurable results for its clients, thereby driving revenue and growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to advance into a Creative Director, Content Lead, or similar management role, overseeing teams and strategic direction for client accounts.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as employer branding strategy, UX content design, or talent acquisition technology, becoming a go-to expert.

• Client Relationship Management: Develop stronger client-facing skills, potentially leading client strategy sessions or managing key accounts.

• Process Innovation: Contribute to the development and refinement of agency-wide creative processes, tools, and best practices for recruitment marketing.

• Broader Agency Contribution: Participate in new business pitches, contribute to thought leadership, and influence the agency's overall creative vision and offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the career trajectory and operational significance of a Senior UX Copywriter within an agency. It highlights how the role contributes to both client success and internal operational efficiency, with clear pathways for professional growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This suggests a physical workspace designed for collaboration, client meetings, and focused individual work.

Office Location(s): The office is located in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. This location offers a specific geographic context, likely providing access to the talent pool within the greater Chicago metropolitan area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is likely designed to foster collaboration, with shared workspaces, meeting rooms, and common areas that encourage interaction among creative teams, account managers, and strategists.

• Creative Tools & Technology: Access to standard creative software, project management tools, and potentially specialized recruitment marketing platforms. The focus will be on digital tools supporting content creation, design, and client presentations.

• Team Interaction: The "tight-knit community" mentioned suggests an environment where team members know and support each other, facilitating informal knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

• Client-Facing Area: Dedicated spaces for client presentations and meetings are expected in an agency setting.

Work Schedule: As a full-time, on-site role, the work schedule will likely adhere to standard business hours, approximately 40 hours per week. However, agency environments often require flexibility to meet client deadlines, which may involve occasional extended hours or weekend work during critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section extrapolates details about the work environment based on the "On-site" designation and the nature of an agency, focusing on how the physical and social aspects of the workplace support the operational requirements of the role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your resume and portfolio to assess your experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.

2. Portfolio Review & Interview (Round 1): Expect a discussion focused on your portfolio. You'll be asked to walk through specific projects, explaining your strategic thinking, creative process, challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved. Be prepared to articulate your role in each project.

3. Skills-Based Interview (Round 2): This may involve a conversation with creative leadership (e.g., Creative Director) to dive deeper into your UX writing philosophy, brand voice expertise, and strategic approach to recruitment marketing. You might be asked hypothetical questions to gauge your problem-solving abilities.

4. Cross-Functional/Client Simulation Interview (Round 3): You may meet with team members from other departments (e.g., design, strategy, account management) to assess your collaboration style and ability to integrate with different skill sets. There might also be a simulated client presentation scenario.

5. Final Interview: A final meeting with senior leadership to discuss culture fit, long-term career aspirations, and confirm mutual interest.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that highlight your UX writing, brand storytelling, and strategic thinking for digital platforms, especially career websites.

• Tell the Story: For each project, clearly outline the client's challenge, your role, the strategic approach, the creative process, and the measurable results or impact. Focus on your specific contributions.

• Highlight UX/UI Integration: Emphasize how your copy worked in tandem with design to create a seamless user experience. Include mockups or before-and-after comparisons if possible.

• Demonstrate Brand Voice Expertise: Showcase projects where you successfully adapted or developed a brand voice for a specific audience or platform.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, how you handle feedback, and your understanding of recruitment marketing objectives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Challenges: Be ready for a potential "take-home" assignment or a live exercise where you might be asked to write copy for a specific career page, develop a messaging framework, or critique existing website copy.

• Focus on Strategy: Approach any challenge by first understanding the objective, target audience, and brand. Clearly articulate your strategy before diving into the copy.

• Showcase Process: Explain how you arrived at your solution, not just what the solution is. Detail your thought process, research, and any assumptions made.

• Time Management: If given a timed exercise, manage your time effectively to deliver a well-thought-out response.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, detailing a typical agency interview process and portfolio review expectations, with a specific focus on UX writing and recruitment marketing.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with platforms like WordPress, Drupal, or specialized CMS used for career sites would be beneficial.

• Project Management Software: Tools such as Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or Jira for managing project timelines, tasks, and team collaboration.

• Collaboration Suites: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) or Microsoft 365 for document creation, sharing, and team communication.

• Design & Prototyping Tools (for review/understanding): While not a design role, understanding tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is helpful for collaborating with designers and understanding UX/UI integration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: Google Analytics to understand user behavior on career sites, identify content performance, and inform optimization strategies.

• SEO/AEO Tools: Familiarity with tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Google Search Console to understand keyword performance and on-page optimization opportunities.

CRM & Automation:

• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) (Understanding): While not directly using an ATS for copywriting, understanding how career site content feeds into or complements ATS functionality is important for recruitment marketing.

• Marketing Automation Platforms (Understanding): Awareness of how content is used in broader talent marketing campaigns, potentially integrated with CRM or HRIS systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies typical tools and technologies relevant to a Senior UX Copywriter in an agency setting, focusing on those used for content creation, project management, collaboration, and understanding digital performance.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• "Power of People": Shaker emphasizes connecting people to impactful things, suggesting a belief in strong relationships, employee empowerment, and the value of human capital. This translates to a culture that values collaboration and mutual support.

• Impact-Driven: The company aims to "transform companies by connecting them to the right solutions for their most complex talent needs," indicating a focus on delivering tangible results and making a significant difference for clients.

• Innovation & Growth: Being a leader for 75 years implies a commitment to continuous learning, adaptation, and staying ahead of industry trends. This fosters a culture of curiosity and professional development.

• Integrity & Trust: A legacy of "trust and innovation" suggests a foundation of ethical practices, reliability, and transparency in client and internal relationships.

• Efficiency & Quality: The need for "repeatable processes" and "high standards for content quality" points to an operational value placed on delivering excellent work efficiently and consistently.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Synergy: Expect a highly collaborative environment where copywriters work hand-in-hand with designers, strategists, account managers, and project managers. This requires strong communication and the ability to integrate diverse perspectives.

• Client-Centric Partnership: Collaboration extends to clients, where the team acts as trusted advisors, working together to achieve shared talent acquisition goals.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: The Senior role implies a culture where experienced team members actively mentor and share knowledge, fostering a supportive learning environment for all.

• Feedback-Oriented: A dynamic agency environment thrives on constructive feedback, both given and received, to refine creative output and improve processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section interprets the company's stated values and mission into actionable cultural attributes relevant to operations professionals, focusing on how these values shape daily work and collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Abstract Brands: A key challenge will be taking complex or undefined employer brands and translating them into clear, compelling, and actionable copy for career websites. This requires strong strategic thinking and creative problem-solving.

• Balancing Creativity with Strategy: Effectively merging creative storytelling with strategic objectives (SEO, candidate journey, conversion rates) can be demanding.

• Managing Multiple Client Needs: Working in an agency means juggling diverse client portfolios, each with unique brand voices, target audiences, and project timelines, requiring excellent organizational and prioritization skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Trends: The recruitment marketing landscape is constantly changing. Staying ahead of UX writing, employer branding, and digital marketing trends requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless integration of copy with design, development, and client expectations can present ongoing communication and alignment challenges.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Writing: Deepen expertise in UX writing principles, content design, and accessibility standards through workshops, courses, or industry conferences.

• Employer Branding Mastery: Develop a more profound understanding of employer branding strategy, talent attraction methodologies, and candidate experience design.

• Recruitment Marketing Technology: Gain proficiency in understanding and leveraging MarTech and HR Tech stacks that support talent acquisition.

• Leadership & Mentorship Skills: Develop leadership capabilities through mentoring junior staff and potentially taking on project leadership roles.

• Client Strategy & Presentation: Enhance skills in client consulting, strategic planning, and persuasive presentation delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges inherent in the role and provides specific growth opportunities, framed within the context of continuous improvement and career advancement in a specialized marketing field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a messaging framework for a client's career website. How do you ensure it aligns with their employer brand and candidate personas?" (Focus on your strategic approach, research methods, and collaboration steps.)

• "Walk us through a career website project you're particularly proud of. What was the client's challenge, your role, your strategic approach to the copy, and what were the results?" (Prepare a compelling case study from your portfolio.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Shaker Recruitment Marketing and this specific role?" (Research the company's work, values, and recent news. Connect your skills and aspirations to their mission.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with designers and strategists to ensure copy and UX/UI are seamlessly integrated?" (Discuss your communication style, how you handle feedback, and your understanding of the creative process.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your solution (your copy and strategy), and the impact. Use a consistent structure.

• Highlight Your Role: Be specific about your contributions. Use "I" statements when describing your actions and decisions.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visual aids (screenshots, mockups) to illustrate your copy in context. Explain why certain word choices or structural decisions were made.

• Be Conversational: Engage with the interviewers. Ask clarifying questions and be ready to discuss your work in an interactive manner.

• Connect to Shaker's Values: Where possible, subtly link your experiences and approach to Shaker's emphasis on "Power of People," innovation, and client impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides tailored interview preparation advice, focusing on the types of questions and presentation strategies relevant to a Senior UX Copywriter role in a recruitment marketing agency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Copywriter position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful digital copywriting projects, specifically those demonstrating career website experience, employer branding, and UX/UI integration. Ensure your portfolio clearly outlines your strategic thinking and creative process for each piece.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5-8+ years of experience, focusing on achievements in copywriting, UX writing, employer branding, and client-facing roles. Use keywords from the job description such as "UX Copywriter," "employer branding," "talent marketing," "digital storytelling," and "SEO."

• Prepare Your Case Studies: For each project in your portfolio, be ready to articulate the client's challenge, your specific contributions, the strategic rationale behind your copy, and any measurable outcomes. Practice presenting these concisely and engagingly.

• Research Shaker Recruitment Marketing: Understand their agency's mission, client work, and values. Be prepared to articulate why you are a good cultural fit and how you can contribute to their "Power of People" philosophy.

⚠️ 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.