Senior/Staff/Principal Content Designer (ACF)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior/Staff/Principal Content Designer (ACF)

Company: Skylight

Location: United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Content Design / UX Content Strategy

Date Posted: 2026-04-23T15:58:26

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive user-centered content practices, plain language, and inclusivity within cross-functional teams to improve government services.

• Strategize and advocate for content governance, content design best practices, and sustainable content strategies across projects and products.

• Write and edit clear, usable, and accessible UX copy, including UI text, microcopy, error messages, and in-product content.

• Collaborate closely with researchers, designers, engineers, and government stakeholders to ensure digital capabilities are understood, usable, and sustained.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Senior/Staff/Principal Content Designer" indicates a tiered role, suggesting that candidates with a wide range of experience levels above mid-level are encouraged to apply. The ACF (Acquisition, Contracting, and Facilitation) designation likely points to work on government contracts where specific compliance or facilitation skills may be beneficial. The emphasis on "advocating" and "strategizing" suggests this role requires not just execution but also influence and leadership in content practices.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Improve government services by tailoring pertinent information to the needs of their users through effective content design.

• Research, edit, write, and organize content describing government programs and initiatives, ensuring clarity and user comprehension.

• Develop and maintain a unified voice and tone for content across various government applications and services.

• Write UX copy, including user interface text, microcopy, error messaging, and in-product notifications, ensuring usability and accessibility.

• Conduct user testing on content and iterate based on feedback to optimize clarity, usability, and impact.

• Develop and recommend content strategy frameworks, governance models, and sustainable content practices for government clients.

• Plan and facilitate content strategy workshops and brainstorming sessions with clients and internal teams.

• Advocate for user-centered content practices and plain language principles through training and guidance to team members and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on content creation (writing, editing, UX copy) and strategic leadership (content strategy, governance, workshops, advocacy). This indicates a need for individuals who can both execute high-quality content and influence organizational change regarding content practices within government agencies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated as a minimum requirement, the job description implies a strong foundation in content design principles, often gained through formal education in fields like English, Communications, UX Design, or related disciplines. The mention of "some federal contracts require a degree or additional years of experience as a substitute" suggests flexibility.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of experience in content design, UX writing, or a closely related field is suggested by the "Senior/Staff/Principal" title and the "5-10 Years" AI-derived experience level. The role requires experience in professional services environments and advocating for content-driven approaches.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to advocate for content-driven approaches, including training and guiding teams and stakeholders on best practices.

• Strategic thinking about the role of content and its impact on business objectives and user experience.

• Evidence-based decision-making approach to content design, including user testing and hypothesis validation.

• Proficiency in writing user-centered content, from microcopy to defining content standards and style guidelines.

• Basic technical skills, such as editing website content using markup languages (e.g., HTML).

• Ability to communicate effectively with clients and work successfully within a professional services environment.

• Passion for creating better public outcomes through improved government services.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience working in the civic tech space.

• Experience working in a remote-team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Minimum Qualifications" are framed as abilities and mindsets rather than strict years of experience in specific tools, emphasizing a strategic and advocacy-focused approach to content design. The explicit mention of HTML suggests a need for practical understanding of web content implementation. The encouragement for candidates who don't meet 100% of criteria is a strong signal of an inclusive hiring culture.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Submission of 1-2 work samples with the application is mandatory.

• Portfolio can include diverse formats such as writing excerpts, websites, or slide decks that best showcase skills and experience.

• Samples should highlight expertise relevant to the job posting's qualifications, not necessarily tied to a specific industry unless specified.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to demonstrate experience in developing and advocating for content governance strategies and workflows.

• The role requires planning and facilitating content strategy workshops, indicating experience in process design and facilitation.

• Evidence of user-centered content testing and iteration based on feedback is crucial, showcasing a feedback-loop process.

• The ability to recommend consistent, sustainable, and standards-driven content strategies implies experience in process standardization and implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is central to the application process, emphasizing practical demonstration of skills over theoretical knowledge. The emphasis on "sustainable and standards-driven content strategy" suggests a need for candidates who can not only create content but also design and implement the processes that ensure its long-term effectiveness and consistency, especially within complex government environments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Associate Content Designer: $90,000–$125,000 USD per year

• Content Designer I: $120,000–$140,000 USD per year

• Content Designer II: $135,000–$160,000 USD per year

• Senior Content Designer: $150,000–$185,000 USD per year

• Staff Content Designer: $170,000–$203,000 USD per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Income Protection: Short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and AD&D insurance.

• Savings Accounts: Dependent care FSA, healthcare FSA, and health savings account (HSA).

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) with a dollar-for-dollar match up to 10% of salary, with no vesting period.

• Paid Time Off: Generous flexible PTO policy (approx. 25 days/year) plus 11 federal holidays.

• Family Support: Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for eligible new parents.

• Performance Incentives: Annual salary increases, annual performance bonuses, spot bonuses, and stock options.

• Sales & Referral Bonuses: Business development/sales bonuses and referral bonuses.

• Professional Development: Annual $2,000 allowance for professional development and $750 for tech-related purchases.

• Wellness & Giving: Annual $100 swag budget and dollar-for-dollar charity donation matching up to $500 per year.

Working Hours: This is a full-time, exempt position, typically implying a standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility inherent in a remote work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges are tiered, reflecting the Senior/Staff/Principal designation. The extensive benefits package, particularly the 401(k) match with no vesting period and generous PTO, indicates a strong commitment to employee well-being. The specific allowances for professional development and tech purchases are valuable for roles in the tech and design space. The salary research for the United States shows these ranges align with senior-level roles in design and consulting within the tech sector, especially for remote positions with high demand.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Consultancy, Technology, Government Services. Skylight operates at the intersection of technology and public service, aiming to modernize government operations through design and technology. This niche requires a deep understanding of public sector challenges and a commitment to impactful solutions.

Company Size: Skylight is a growing company, likely falling into the 50-200 or 200-500 employee range based on typical digital consultancies of this nature. This size often means a balance of established processes and the agility to implement new initiatives.

Founded: The exact founding date is not provided, but the company's focus on "reinventing how all levels of government serve families" suggests a relatively modern establishment, likely within the last 5-15 years, aligning with the growth of civic tech.

Team Structure:

• Content designers are part of cross-functional teams, working alongside researchers, designers, and engineers.

• This collaborative structure emphasizes shared ownership and integrated problem-solving.

Methodology:

• User-centered design and plain language are core tenets.

• Evidence-based decision-making, driven by user research and testing, is fundamental.

• Focus on delivering sustainable digital capabilities, implying a commitment to long-term impact and maintainability.

• Emphasis on change management and enablement to ensure adoption of new digital services.

Company Website: https://skylight.digital/

📝 Enhancement Note: Skylight's mission to improve public services through technology and design is a key cultural differentiator. The company culture likely values impact, collaboration, and innovation. The "ACF" designation is a critical piece of context for operations roles, suggesting a focus on the practicalities of government contracting and service implementation, which impacts how content strategy is developed and deployed.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role spans Senior, Staff, and Principal levels, indicating significant scope and responsibility.

• Senior: Expected to lead projects, mentor junior designers, and contribute significantly to strategy.

• Staff: Expected to lead complex initiatives, drive best practices across multiple projects or teams, and influence broader organizational strategy.

• Principal: Expected to be a recognized expert, set long-term vision for content strategy within the company or client engagements, and tackle the most challenging problems.

Reporting Structure: Content designers work within cross-functional teams. While a direct reporting line isn't specified, they likely report to a Design Lead, Director of Design, or a specific project lead, with functional oversight potentially from a Head of Content or similar role.

Operations Impact: Content designers at Skylight directly impact the usability, accessibility, and effectiveness of government services. Their work influences citizen engagement, service adoption rates, and operational efficiency by making complex information understandable and actionable. This role is pivotal in bridging the gap between government programs and the people they serve.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in UX writing, content strategy, information architecture, and accessibility standards. Develop skills in client management and advocacy for content best practices.

• Leadership Development: Progress from leading projects to leading initiatives, mentoring junior staff, and influencing organizational-wide content strategy. Opportunities to specialize in specific government sectors or service types.

• Career Progression: Move through the Senior, Staff, and Principal tiers, taking on increasing levels of responsibility, strategic influence, and client leadership. Potential to move into management roles or specialized strategic consulting positions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tiered job title is a significant indicator of career growth potential within the role itself. Candidates should prepare to articulate their experience and aspirations relevant to each level. The emphasis on "public interest technologists" and "civic movement" suggests that growth is also tied to broader impact and contribution to public service modernization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, offering significant flexibility.

Office Location(s): The role is based in the United States, with remote work permitted within the U.S. (excluding U.S. territories). Some federal contracts may require U.S. citizenship.

Workspace Context:

• Remote-friendly environment designed to empower employees to work effectively from anywhere in the U.S.

• Collaboration is facilitated through digital tools and structured communication channels.

• While remote, there's an expectation of meeting client needs and potentially traveling for work from time to time, though the primary mode is remote.

• Access to technology and professional development allowances supports a productive remote workspace.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time, exempt position. While specific hours are not mandated, a 40-hour work week is standard, with flexibility afforded by the remote arrangement. This allows for effective coordination with cross-functional teams and clients across different time zones within the U.S.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of the role, combined with the U.S. location requirement, caters to a broad talent pool. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate self-management, strong digital communication skills, and the ability to maintain productivity and collaboration in a distributed setting. The potential for occasional travel indicates a need for flexibility in work arrangements.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Include a portfolio of 1-2 work samples.

• Portfolio Review: Samples will be reviewed for relevance to qualifications and showcased skills.

• Interview Stages: Likely includes screening calls, interviews with hiring managers and team members, and potentially a work sample presentation or case study. The "Career Pathways framework" mentioned suggests interviews might be structured around competencies defined within that framework.

• Client/Stakeholder Interaction: Given the professional services nature, interviews may assess client communication skills and ability to navigate government stakeholder environments.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select work samples that directly demonstrate skills in plain language, UX writing, content strategy, user-centered design, and advocacy, particularly as applied to complex information or services.

• Showcase Impact: Clearly articulate the problem, your role, the solutions you implemented (content changes, strategy development), and the measurable outcomes or user benefits achieved. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., improved understanding, reduced support calls, increased service adoption).

• Highlight Process: Explain your content design process – how you research, write, test, and iterate. Demonstrate your approach to content governance and strategy development.

• Accessibility & Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and accessible. Use clear language to describe your contributions.

• Provide Context: Briefly explain the project's goals, the target audience, and the constraints you worked within (e.g., government regulations, existing systems).

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach content challenges in a government context, such as simplifying complex regulations or designing content for diverse user populations with varying literacy levels.

• Practice articulating your thought process for content decisions, especially when advocating for user-centered approaches against potential resistance.

• Prepare to discuss your experience with content governance, style guides, and maintaining brand voice across different platforms and services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on the portfolio and the mention of the "Career Pathways framework" are key preparation points. Candidates should thoroughly review this framework to understand how their experience aligns with Skylight's defined levels and competencies. Demonstrating an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within government service design will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with various CMS platforms for website and application content management.

• Markup Languages: Basic proficiency in HTML is a stated requirement for editing website content directly.

• Design & Prototyping Tools: While not explicitly listed for content designers, familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is often beneficial for collaborating with designers and understanding UI/UX flows.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency with tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, etc., for remote team communication and collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: Experience with tools like Google Analytics or similar platforms to understand content performance and user behavior.

• User Feedback Tools: Familiarity with platforms for collecting and analyzing user feedback (e.g., surveys, usability testing software).

• Content Auditing Tools: Knowledge of methods and potential tools for auditing existing content to identify gaps and areas for improvement.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how content integrates with user journeys and service delivery pipelines is important. Experience with any system that manages user interactions or service workflows would be beneficial.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Jira, Trello, or Monday.com for managing tasks, projects, and workflows within cross-functional teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of HTML suggests a practical, hands-on element to the role, requiring more than just writing. Proficiency in collaborative tools is essential for a fully remote role. While specific CMS platforms aren't named, adaptability and a foundational understanding of how content is published and managed are key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: A strong focus on creating tangible improvements in public services and citizen outcomes.

• User-Centricity: Placing the needs and experiences of users at the forefront of all design and content decisions.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within cross-functional teams and with government stakeholders.

• Plain Language & Accessibility: Commitment to making information clear, understandable, and usable for everyone.

• Continuous Improvement: An iterative approach to design and content, driven by research, feedback, and data.

• Integrity & Trust: Operating with transparency and building trust with clients and the public.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Content designers are integral members of blended teams, working closely with researchers, designers, and engineers from project inception.

• Client Partnership: A professional services model requires strong collaboration with government clients, involving workshops, feedback sessions, and strategic alignment.

• Open Communication: Emphasis on clear, regular communication through digital channels and scheduled meetings to ensure alignment and progress.

• Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback among team members and stakeholders to refine content and strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Skylight's values, particularly those related to public service, user focus, and plain language, are central to their culture. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how their work and approach align with these values, demonstrating a genuine commitment to improving government services.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Government Bureaucracy: Working within established government systems and processes can present challenges in implementing rapid changes or adopting new technologies.

• Diverse User Needs: Government services cater to a broad and diverse population, requiring content that is accessible and understandable to individuals with varying levels of literacy, technical proficiency, and cultural backgrounds.

• Securing Stakeholder Buy-in: Advocating for user-centered content practices and plain language may require significant effort to educate and gain consensus from government stakeholders accustomed to traditional approaches.

• Maintaining Consistency Across Services: Ensuring a unified voice, tone, and quality of content across numerous government programs and digital touchpoints can be complex.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialization in Civic Tech: Deepen expertise in the nuances of government digital transformation and public service design.

• Advanced Content Strategy: Develop skills in complex content modeling, information architecture for large-scale systems, and enterprise content management.

• Leadership and Mentorship: Opportunities to lead teams, mentor junior designers, and shape the content practice within Skylight and for client organizations.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to work on high-impact projects that directly affect millions of citizens and gain exposure to various government agencies and their operational challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to working with government clients and highlight the need for resilience, strong communication, and strategic thinking. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a path for deep specialization and leadership in a meaningful sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a user-centered content strategy to stakeholders who were resistant. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on persuasion, evidence, and impact.)

• "How would you approach developing a content strategy for a new government service aimed at [specific demographic, e.g., low-income families, seniors]? What steps would you take?" (Focus on research, user needs, and strategic planning.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for Skylight, and what specifically about our mission to improve government services resonates with you?" (Focus on mission alignment and passion for public service.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with researchers, designers, and engineers on cross-functional teams?" (Focus on teamwork, communication, and integration.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each sample, clearly state the project's goal, your specific role and contributions, the challenges you faced, your content design process, and the results achieved.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly connect your work samples to the requirements of the job description, emphasizing plain language, UX writing, content strategy, user testing, and advocacy.

• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "reduced user errors by X%", "increased form completion rates by Y%", "improved clarity scores in user testing"). If quantitative data isn't available, focus on qualitative impact and user feedback.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design process, decision-making rationale, and how you handled specific challenges within your portfolio projects. Prepare to discuss your experience with HTML and other relevant tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on articulating how you apply content design principles in complex, often bureaucratic environments. Emphasizing your ability to influence, strategize, and demonstrate impact through tangible examples within your portfolio will be key. Understanding Skylight's mission and values is paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Greenhouse platform.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in content design, UX writing, content strategy, and working within professional services or government-adjacent environments. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 1-2 strong work samples that best showcase your skills in plain language, UX copy, content strategy, and user-centered design. Ensure easy access and clear descriptions of your contributions and impact.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience, process, and impact for each portfolio sample. Be ready to discuss your approach to content advocacy and strategy development.

• Research Skylight: Understand the company's mission, values, and work in civic tech. Familiarize yourself with their "Career Pathways framework" to align your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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.