Lead Content Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Content Designer

Company: CYOS Solutions (on behalf of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations - DEWR)

Location: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Content Design & Operations (GTM/Digital Product)

Date Posted: October 1, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (with remote considered case-by-case)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design, planning, and creation of user-centric digital content for the Workforce Australia program, focusing on web and notification channels.

• Implement best practices in content strategy, UX writing, and accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1, Digital Service Standards) to enhance participant experience.

• Manage multiple content projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery, risk mitigation, and effective problem-solving within an agile framework.

• Provide strategic advice and mentorship to stakeholders, including senior executives and less experienced staff, on content design and communication strategies.

• Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams, leveraging data, research, and evidence to continuously improve content effectiveness and user journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Lead Content Designer," the responsibilities and context strongly indicate a role that intersects with operations, specifically in the realm of digital product content strategy and execution. This role requires operationalizing content delivery and ensuring it aligns with government program objectives and user needs, making it highly relevant to operations professionals focused on GTM and digital product lifecycle management. The emphasis on managing projects, stakeholder communication, and process adherence aligns with operational excellence.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and write clear, concise, and accessible content for the Workforce Australia website (both authenticated and unauthenticated environments) and digital notifications (email, SMS, mobile app).

• Develop and maintain content strategies, style guides, and content patterns to ensure consistency, quality, and adherence to Australian Government and DEWR standards.

• Conduct user research, analyze data (e.g., Google Analytics, Google Search Console), and gather feedback to inform content improvements and optimize user experience.

• Manage the end-to-end content lifecycle for assigned projects, from ideation and creation to review, publication, and ongoing maintenance, utilizing Azure DevOps for workflow management.

• Collaborate closely with UX designers, developers, policy advisors, and service delivery teams in an agile environment to translate complex information into user-friendly digital content.

• Provide expert advice and recommendations to management and senior executives on content design best practices, strategic communication approaches, and potential risks or opportunities.

• Mentor and support junior content designers and team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and high performance within the Participant Content Team.

• Manage multiple content projects concurrently, including tracking progress, identifying and mitigating risks, problem-solving, and ensuring adherence to strict deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a significant operational component, focusing on the systematic delivery of content that directly impacts user engagement and program success. The emphasis on managing multiple projects, using agile methodologies (Azure DevOps), and providing strategic advice positions this role as a key operational driver within the content team.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Tertiary qualifications in a relevant communications field are desirable. Qualifications or training in writing, content design, online accessibility, or user experience (UX) design are also preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in content design, UX writing, or web writing, with a proven track record of creating engaging and user-centered digital content.

• Demonstrated experience in writing, editing, structuring, and maintaining complex content that effectively meets user needs and adheres to accessibility standards.

• Experience in providing strategic advice to management and senior executives concerning content design and communication strategies. Required Skills:

• Content Design & UX Writing: Proven ability to design, plan, and write content that is clear, concise, user-focused, and easy to understand across various digital channels.

• Stakeholder Management: Excellent written and verbal communication, consultation, and relationship-building skills to effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels, including senior executives.

• Government Standards & Accessibility: Demonstrated ability to apply Australian Government and department style guides, including WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and Digital Service Standards.

• Agile Project Management: Experience working within multidisciplinary teams in an agile project environment, with proficiency in using tools like Azure DevOps for work management.

• Content Strategy & Information Architecture: Understanding of content strategy principles and experience in developing information architecture and content structures to improve user experience.

• Data-Driven Improvement: Ability to use evidence, data (e.g., Google Analytics, Google Search Console), and research to inform content decisions and enhance user experience.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with content production and analysis software such as GatherContent.

• Proficiency in HTML.

• Previous experience in system-related communications with a strategic communication approach.

• Qualifications and/or training in online accessibility or UX design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of creative content creation and operational execution. The mention of specific government standards and tools like Azure DevOps points to the need for candidates who can operate within defined processes and compliance frameworks, a hallmark of operations roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of Complex Content: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your process for designing, writing, and refining complex digital content for user-facing platforms. Highlight the problem, your approach, the solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes.

• Demonstration of Accessibility Adherence: Include examples of content that strictly adheres to WCAG 2.1 and Australian Government Digital Service Standards, with explanations of how accessibility principles were integrated into the design and writing process.

• Stakeholder Engagement Examples: Provide evidence or descriptions of how you have successfully managed stakeholder expectations and incorporated their feedback into content development, particularly in a government or large-scale program context.

• Content Strategy Artifacts: If possible, include examples of content strategy documents, style guides, or information architecture diagrams you have developed or significantly contributed to.

Process Documentation:

• User-Centered Design Workflow: Be prepared to articulate your typical workflow for content design, from initial brief and user research to content creation, review, and deployment, emphasizing iterative improvements and feedback loops.

• Agile Content Delivery: Demonstrate understanding of how content is managed within an agile framework, including experience with sprint planning, backlog management (e.g., using Azure DevOps), and cross-functional team collaboration.

• Content Performance Analysis: Be ready to discuss how you analyze content performance using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console, and how this analysis leads to actionable insights for content optimization and strategy refinement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a portfolio is critical. It needs to showcase not just writing ability, but the operational discipline to manage content projects effectively, adhere to strict guidelines, and demonstrate tangible impact. The emphasis on process documentation highlights the operational aspect of content delivery.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100 - $120 per hour (inclusive of superannuation). This rate is based on the provided information and reflects a senior-level contractor role within the Australian Government sector, taking into account the location (Adelaide) and the specialized skills required.

Benefits:

• Flexible Working: Hybrid work arrangement considered, allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work, catering to operational efficiency and work-life integration.

• Contract Extension Potential: Opportunity for contract extensions beyond the initial term (until 30 June 2027), providing job stability and the chance to see projects through to completion.

• Professional Development: Access to work on significant government programs like Workforce Australia, offering exposure to large-scale digital transformation and policy implementation.

• Baseline Security Clearance: Opportunity to obtain a Baseline security clearance, which can be valuable for future government contracting roles.

• Impactful Work: Contribute to a program that directly assists millions of Australians in finding employment and accessing support services.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility for a hybrid and remote working arrangement where business needs allow. The role involves managing multiple projects, requiring efficient time management and dedication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly rate is substantial, reflecting the senior nature and specialized skills required. The benefits focus on flexibility, potential for long-term engagement, and valuable professional experience within the public sector, which are key considerations for contractors in operations-adjacent roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government / Public Sector (Employment Services, Policy, Digital Transformation)

Company Size: The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is a large Australian Government department.

Founded: DEWR's history dates back to various government departments focused on employment and industrial relations, with its current form evolving through machinery-of-government changes. The Workforce Australia program itself is a significant initiative within the current government framework.

Team Structure:

• Participant Content Team: A specialized team within DEWR focused on creating and managing participant-facing content for Workforce Australia.

• Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Content Lead or Manager, with a matrixed reporting structure within agile project teams. The role also involves providing support and mentorship to less experienced staff and potentially line management responsibilities.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Works closely with policy teams, service delivery partners, UX designers, developers, and other digital specialists within DEWR and potentially external service providers.

Methodology:

• Agile Delivery: Content projects are managed within an agile framework, utilizing tools like Azure DevOps for planning and tracking.

• User-Centred Design: Content is designed with a strong focus on meeting user needs, informed by research, data, and evidence.

• Standards-Based: Adherence to Australian Government and DEWR style guides, accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1), and Digital Service Standards is paramount.

Company Website: https://www.dewr.gov.au/ (for DEWR) and https://www.workforceaustralia.gov.au/ (for the program)

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding the public sector environment is crucial. This involves navigating bureaucratic processes, adhering to strict compliance requirements, and focusing on public service delivery outcomes. The emphasis on collaboration and standards is a key operational aspect of working within such an organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Content Designer / Team Lead. This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor with leadership and mentorship responsibilities. It sits at the intersection of content strategy, user experience, and operational execution within a large government program.

Reporting Structure: Reports to a Content Lead or Manager. Will also have responsibilities for mentoring and potentially managing junior team members, requiring an operational approach to team development and performance.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the effectiveness of the Workforce Australia program by ensuring millions of Australians receive clear, accessible, and actionable information. Well-designed content improves user engagement, reduces confusion, and contributes to successful employment outcomes, thereby supporting government policy objectives and operational efficiency of the program.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to develop leadership skills through mentoring, potential line management, and leading content initiatives for critical program reforms.

• Specialization in Government Digital Services: Deepen expertise in government digital standards, accessibility, and large-scale program content management, a highly sought-after skill set.

• Project Management Excellence: Gain extensive experience managing complex, high-stakes projects within an agile, government context, enhancing project and operations management capabilities.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Expand knowledge in policy interpretation, service delivery, and UX design through close collaboration with diverse teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth for operations professionals looking to apply their skills in a public service context. The blend of strategic content thinking and operational project management provides a unique career development path.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid WFH arrangement considered. The role is based in South Australia (SA), but the team operates virtually. This suggests opportunities to work from a DEWR office in Adelaide when required, but also to work remotely.

Office Location(s): While the role specifies SA, DEWR has offices in Australia's major cities. The remote work arrangement implies that collaboration will occur virtually across different locations.

Workspace Context:

• Virtual Collaboration: The primary mode of interaction will be through digital collaboration tools, requiring strong communication and self-management skills.

• Agile Environment: Work within a dynamic, agile project environment that values iterative development and cross-functional teamwork.

• Tools & Technology: Access to and proficiency with digital content management systems, collaboration platforms (like Azure DevOps), and standard office productivity software.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid/remote arrangement offers flexibility, but the demands of managing multiple projects and collaborating with a virtual team require a disciplined approach to scheduling and task management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role requires a high degree of self-discipline and operational autonomy. Professionals must be adept at managing their work remotely and ensuring seamless collaboration with a distributed team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Your CV (3-5 pages) and responses to essential/desirable criteria (max 5000 characters each) will be reviewed for suitability. Focus on demonstrating your experience and potential.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: Expect a practical exercise or case study focusing on content design challenges relevant to Workforce Australia. This will likely assess your ability to apply style guides, create user-centered content, and manage project constraints.

• Stakeholder Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager and potentially other team members or stakeholders to assess your communication, collaboration, and strategic thinking skills. They will probe your experience in government contexts and handling complex requirements.

• Final Panel Interview: Potentially a final interview with senior management to confirm fit for the role, discuss leadership potential, and finalize offer details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio with a clear introduction, followed by 3-5 strong case studies. Each case study should detail the problem, your specific role and actions, the tools/methodologies used, and quantifiable results or lessons learned.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Output: For each case study, clearly articulate your process – how you approached the problem, how you collaborated, how you incorporated feedback, and how you ensured accessibility and adherence to standards. This is where operational thinking shines.

• Highlight Government/Large-Scale Experience: If you have experience with government projects, large-scale digital platforms, or complex stakeholder environments, make these prominent.

• Tailor to DEWR: Research the Workforce Australia program and DEWR's mission. Frame your examples to show how your skills align with their goals of improving participant experience and program delivery.

• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., "reduced user confusion by X%", "improved task completion rates by Y%", "ensured 100% compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA").

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Workforce Australia: Familiarize yourself with the program's objectives, target audience, and key services.

• Government Style Guides: Review the Government Style Manual, WCAG 2.1, and general principles of Australian Government digital service design.

• Agile & Azure DevOps: Be ready to discuss how you manage content within agile sprints and use tools like Azure DevOps for task tracking and collaboration.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare examples of how you have managed difficult stakeholder conversations, negotiated priorities, and communicated complex information effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes demonstrating practical skills and operational competence. A well-structured portfolio that highlights process and impact is key to standing out, especially in a government context where adherence to standards and measurable outcomes are critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Azure DevOps: Essential for agile project management, work item tracking, sprint planning, and collaboration within multidisciplinary teams. Proficiency here indicates strong operational workflow management.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Experience with various CMS platforms for web content publishing and management is expected. While specific DEWR systems aren't named, familiarity with enterprise-level CMS is beneficial.

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

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics: Crucial for understanding user behavior on websites, tracking content performance, identifying popular pages, and analyzing traffic sources.

• Google Search Console: Used to monitor website performance in Google Search results, identify technical issues, and understand search queries driving traffic.

• Data Visualization Tools (Desirable): While not explicitly stated, experience with tools that can help visualize data for reporting and insights (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) would be advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• GatherContent (Desirable): A content operations platform that helps manage content creation, review, and approval workflows at scale. Experience here demonstrates advanced content operations capabilities.

• HTML: Basic understanding and experience with HTML are required, likely for direct content implementation or understanding technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes tools used for operational efficiency, project management, and data analysis. Proficiency in Azure DevOps and analytics tools is particularly important for demonstrating operational aptitude in this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value is designing content that genuinely meets the needs of participants, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and ease of use.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working effectively within multidisciplinary teams, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues in an agile environment.

• Excellence & Quality: Commitment to producing high-quality, accurate, and compliant content that adheres to government standards and best practices.

• Efficiency & Continuous Improvement: A drive to optimize content processes, leverage data for insights, and continuously improve the user experience and program delivery.

• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding public service values, ensuring transparency in processes, and taking responsibility for the content produced.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively collaborates with policy, UX, development, and service delivery teams to ensure content is accurate, aligned with program goals, and technically feasible.

• Agile Mindset: Embraces iterative development, regular feedback loops, and adaptive planning to respond to project needs and evolving user requirements.

• Open Communication: Fosters an environment of open communication, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing to drive collective improvement and problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture values a blend of user empathy and rigorous operational discipline. Professionals who can balance creative content design with systematic process adherence and collaborative problem-solving will thrive here.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Government Bureaucracy: Working within a large government department can involve complex approval processes and stakeholder management, requiring patience and strong communication.

• Translating Complex Policy: The core challenge is to translate intricate government policies and program rules into simple, actionable content for a diverse user base.

• Managing Multiple Priorities: The role requires balancing multiple projects with competing deadlines and varying levels of complexity, demanding excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Ensuring Accessibility and Compliance: Consistently meeting stringent accessibility (WCAG 2.1) and government digital standards across all content outputs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Government Digital Standards: Become an expert in Australian Government digital service design principles, accessibility, and policy communication.

• Large-Scale Program Impact: Gain experience managing content for a national program that serves millions of users, providing invaluable insights into public sector digital operations.

• Agile Content Operations: Hone skills in managing content workflows within an agile framework using tools like Azure DevOps.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Develop leadership capabilities by mentoring junior staff and potentially taking on team lead responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges that are also excellent growth opportunities. Successfully navigating these challenges builds resilience, strategic thinking, and operational expertise relevant to many GTM and digital product roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex government policy or technical process into simple, user-friendly content. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your systematic approach, user research, and measurable impact.)

• "How do you prioritize and manage multiple content projects with competing deadlines in an agile environment? Walk us through your process using tools like Azure DevOps." (Highlight your organizational skills, risk management, and workflow management capabilities.)

• "How do you ensure your content meets accessibility standards like WCAG 2.1? Can you provide an example of how you've integrated accessibility into your design and writing process?" (Demonstrate your technical understanding and commitment to inclusive design.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Workforce Australia program specifically?" (Show genuine interest in public service and the program's mission.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as developers, policy advisors, and service delivery managers, to achieve content goals?" (Emphasize your communication, negotiation, and teamwork skills.)

• "How do you use data and user feedback to inform your content decisions and improve user experience?" (Prepare to discuss your analytical approach and how you operationalize insights.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the narrative: the problem, your role, your actions (process), the tools/techniques used, and the results.

• Highlight Operational Rigor: Emphasize your process for managing content, adhering to standards, collaborating with teams, and tracking progress. This is where you demonstrate your operations acumen.

• Quantify Everything Possible: Use metrics to show impact. If exact numbers aren't available, use qualitative descriptions of success that imply measurable improvements.

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Discuss your experience with HTML, analytics tools, and CMS platforms. If you have GatherContent experience, be prepared to discuss it.

• Showcase Mentorship (if applicable): If you have leadership or mentoring experience, be ready to discuss how you guide and develop others.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for this interview means articulating not just your content creation skills, but also your operational discipline, your ability to work within structured environments, and your capacity to manage complex projects and stakeholders effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent content design position:

• Submit your updated CV (maximum 3-5 pages) through the provided application link. Ensure your CV clearly highlights experience relevant to content design, UX writing, government standards, and project management.

• Craft detailed responses (max 5000 characters each) to the essential and desirable criteria. Focus on providing specific examples that demonstrate your skills and experience, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) where applicable.

• Prepare your portfolio. Select 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your content design process, stakeholder management, and ability to adhere to standards. Be ready to present these clearly and concisely, highlighting your operational approach.

• Research DEWR and the Workforce Australia program. Understand their mission, target audience, and recent initiatives. This will help tailor your application and prepare you for interview questions.

• Practice articulating your experience. Be ready to discuss your approach to content strategy, agile project management, accessibility, and collaboration, emphasizing how you operationalize these functions.

⚠️ 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.