Senior UX Strategist / Information Architect (Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Strategist / Information Architect (Contract)

Company: RSA Conference

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Remote)

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: User Experience (UX) Strategy & Information Architecture

Date Posted: April 24, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (10+ years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic re-architecture and consolidation of two existing websites into a single, scalable, and user-centric platform.

• Develop a comprehensive information architecture (IA) framework, including site maps, navigation systems, and content categorization, to ensure a cohesive and intuitive user experience.

• Drive SEO optimization through strategic URL structure, internal linking, and heading hierarchy definition, while also advising on Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) best practices.

• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including a creative designer, to translate strategic IA plans into actionable design direction and documentation.

• This role focuses on the structural and strategic aspects of UX, emphasizing content organization, user flow, and system scalability over visual design execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for establishing the foundational structure of a new, unified web platform for RSA Conference. The focus on IA and UX strategy, combined with the explicit mention of GEO, indicates a forward-thinking approach to search and content discoverability in an AI-driven landscape. The contract nature suggests a project-based need for specialized expertise.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough audits of content and structural elements across two distinct websites to identify redundancies, gaps, and opportunities for consolidation.

• Design and document a unified site map and intuitive navigation architecture that seamlessly merges the functionalities and content of both existing platforms.

• Define a scalable page hierarchy and a robust content categorization framework to ensure logical organization and ease of access for users.

• Create detailed wireframes for key page templates, including homepages, landing pages, and interior pages, to illustrate structural layouts and user flows.

• Establish an optimized URL structure, a strategic internal linking plan, and a clear heading hierarchy to enhance search engine visibility and user navigation.

• Provide expert guidance on Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) principles, focusing on structured data, content clarity, and formatting conducive to AI-generated search results.

• Foster strong collaboration with the in-house creative designer, effectively handing off wireframes and providing clear structural direction for visual implementation.

• Develop comprehensive documentation detailing the information architecture and UX rationale to serve as a guide for future site development and growth.

• Plan and oversee content migration strategies, including the creation of a detailed redirect map (301 strategy) to ensure continuity and SEO integrity during the transition.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a deep dive into content strategy and information architecture, extending to technical SEO and the emerging field of GEO. The emphasis on documentation and collaboration underscores the importance of clear communication and knowledge transfer for long-term platform success.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Information Science, Computer Science, UX Design, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level roles in this domain.

Experience: A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in UX strategy, information architecture, or a closely related discipline is required.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in information architecture, encompassing site mapping, taxonomy development, navigation design, and content modeling.

• Proven track record of successfully leading website redesigns, specifically those involving site consolidation, migration, or complex content restructuring.

• Profound understanding of SEO fundamentals, including URL structure, heading hierarchies, internal linking strategies, and content siloing principles.

• Familiarity with Content Management Systems (CMS) and understanding how IA decisions influence CMS setup and content management workflows.

• Experience in planning and executing content migration strategies, including the development of comprehensive redirect maps (301 strategy) for seamless transitions.

• Ability to articulate and defend strategic UX and IA decisions with clear rationale to diverse stakeholders.

• Experience working collaboratively with visual/creative designers, effectively handing off structural documentation and providing guidance.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, AEM) and their IA implications.

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and how to integrate user insights into IA strategy.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and their impact on information architecture.

• Experience with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to inform IA decisions and measure impact.

• Proficiency in wireframing and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 10+ years of experience signifies a need for a seasoned professional who can independently drive complex projects. The emphasis on both foundational IA/SEO skills and emerging GEO practices points to a role that requires both deep expertise and a forward-looking perspective.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 complex website redesign or consolidation projects, ideally demonstrating end-to-end IA strategy.

• Include detailed examples of site maps, navigation flows, and content categorization frameworks developed for previous projects.

• Present case studies that highlight your approach to content auditing, site structure definition, and wireframing for key page types.

• Demonstrate experience with SEO integration into IA, including examples of URL structure, internal linking strategies, and heading hierarchies implemented.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of IA documentation, including sitemaps, user flows, and content models.

• Wireframes or interactive prototypes illustrating page structure and user interaction.

• Case studies detailing the process from audit to final IA strategy, including rationale and outcomes.

• Documentation of SEO strategies implemented as part of IA design.

• Any content migration plans or redirect mapping examples.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, as it will serve as the primary evidence of the candidate's strategic thinking, IA expertise, and project leadership. The focus should be on demonstrating the process and impact of their work, particularly in complex site consolidation scenarios.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $75 - $125 per hour. This range is presented with flexibility based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

• New York Metro Area Benchmark: For a Senior UX Strategist/Information Architect with 10+ years of experience in a major metropolitan area like Boston, contract hourly rates can range from $70 to $130+. Factors influencing this include the complexity of the project, the candidate's specific expertise (e.g., GEO, migration), and the client's budget. The provided range ($75-$125) aligns well with this benchmark, positioning it competitively for a senior-level contract role.

Benefits: As a contract engagement, traditional benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans are typically not provided by the hiring organization.

• Potential Benefits (if applicable via contracting agency):

  • Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

  • Paid Time Off (PTO)

  • Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., 401k)

  • Professional Development Stipends

  • Flexible Work Schedule Working Hours: This is anticipated to be a full-time commitment, approximately 40 hours per week, particularly through Phase 1 of the project (targeted for October 2026 delivery). There may be more flexibility during Phase 2, with potential for work delivery prior to June 2027.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly rate is competitive for a senior-level contract UX/IA role in a major US market. Candidates should clarify with the contracting agency or RSA Conference regarding any benefits or paid time off that may be included. The phased project timeline suggests a commitment extending over a significant period.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cybersecurity Events & Information Services. RSA Conference is a leading global platform for the cybersecurity community, providing events, content, and resources that shape the industry's future.

Company Size: While specific employee numbers for RSA Conference itself aren't readily available, it operates as part of a larger organization (likely Informa Tech, though not explicitly stated in the provided data, which is common for large event organizers). This suggests a robust organizational structure with established processes and resources.

Founded: RSA Conference has a long history, originating as a security conference. Its evolution reflects the growing importance and complexity of cybersecurity.

Team Structure:

• The role operates within a fully remote team structure across the United States, emphasizing flexibility and distributed collaboration.

• Collaboration is expected with an in-house creative designer, indicating a partnership between strategic IA/UX and visual design functions.

Methodology:

• The company values a results-oriented approach, striving for excellence in its programs and services.

• A strong emphasis is placed on community building, trust, and inclusivity, valuing diverse perspectives.

• Adaptability is a key cultural tenet, encouraging innovation, creativity, and resourcefulness in a dynamic environment.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: RSA Conference's culture appears to be a blend of a professional, results-driven organization within the cybersecurity sector and a forward-thinking, inclusive remote-first environment. The emphasis on community and adaptability is crucial for a company at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level contract position, focusing on strategic leadership within UX and Information Architecture. It is project-specific, aimed at delivering a significant platform re-architecture.

Reporting Structure: The role will likely report to a senior leader within the digital product or marketing team responsible for the RSA Conference website. Collaboration will be key with the in-house creative designer.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX Strategist's work will directly impact the user experience of the RSA Conference's primary digital presence, influencing attendee engagement, content discoverability, and overall brand perception. The success of this consolidation project is critical for future scalability and operational efficiency of the website.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Deepening: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and its practical application in website architecture.

• Project Leadership: Lead a high-impact, strategic project from inception to delivery, gaining valuable experience in managing complex website consolidations.

• Portfolio Enhancement: The successful completion of this project will significantly strengthen the candidate's portfolio with a major website re-architecture case study.

• Future Engagements: Strong performance could lead to further contract opportunities with RSA Conference or its parent organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, it offers significant strategic impact and specialized skill development. The growth is less about traditional career ladder progression within RSA Conference and more about deepening expertise, leading a critical project, and enhancing one's professional portfolio.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. The team operates across the United States, offering flexibility in work location.

Office Location(s): Not applicable, as the role is fully remote. Candidates must be based in the United States.

Workspace Context:

• A fully remote, distributed team environment that values flexibility and autonomy.

• Requires self-discipline, strong communication skills, and proactive engagement to ensure effective collaboration.

• Access to standard remote work tools and technologies is assumed.

• The role requires close virtual collaboration with internal creative designers and potentially other stakeholders.

Work Schedule: The role is expected to be a full-time commitment (approx. 40 hours/week) through Phase 1. Flexibility may increase during Phase 2, but the overall project duration is substantial, with final migration completion targeted for June 2027.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of this role is a significant advantage for candidates seeking flexibility. However, it necessitates strong self-management, communication, and collaboration skills to navigate project requirements and team interaction effectively.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and relevant experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion of UX strategy, IA principles, past project experience, and approach to website consolidation. Focus on understanding your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Portfolio Presentation/Walkthrough: A dedicated session to present key projects from your portfolio, focusing on your role, process, challenges, and outcomes, particularly regarding site architecture and consolidation.

• Stakeholder/Team Interview: Potential discussion with the creative designer or other key team members to assess collaboration style and cultural fit.

• Final Interview/Offer: Discussion of engagement details, compensation, and next steps.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Consolidation Projects: Prioritize case studies that specifically demonstrate experience in merging or consolidating websites. Detail the challenges and your strategic approach to creating a unified structure.

• Showcase IA Deliverables: Clearly present examples of site maps, navigation systems, content models, and wireframes. Explain the rationale behind your design decisions.

• Emphasize SEO and GEO Integration: Demonstrate how you incorporated SEO best practices into your IA and how you've considered emerging GEO principles.

• Document Your Process: Clearly articulate your methodology from content audit and user research (if applicable) through to final IA documentation and handoff.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your past projects (e.g., improved user engagement, reduced bounce rates, enhanced SEO performance, successful content migration).

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach auditing two disparate websites and synthesizing them into a single IA.

• Anticipate questions about defining scalable page hierarchies and content categorization frameworks.

• Prepare to articulate your strategy for optimizing URL structure, internal linking, and heading hierarchies for SEO and GEO.

• Think about how you would collaborate with a visual designer and hand off structural requirements.

• Be ready to discuss your experience with content migration planning and 301 redirect strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the candidate's ability to demonstrate practical experience through their portfolio. A clear, well-articulated presentation of past work, focusing on strategic thinking and project execution, will be crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Wireframing & Prototyping: Proficiency in tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for creating detailed wireframes and interactive prototypes.

• Information Architecture Tools: Familiarity with tools for sitemap generation, flow charting, and content modeling (e.g., Miro, Lucidchart, specialized IA software).

• Content Management Systems (CMS): General understanding of how IA decisions translate into CMS configurations. Specific platform experience (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, AEM) can be beneficial.

• SEO Tools: Familiarity with tools for keyword research, site audits, and competitive analysis (e.g., SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz) to inform IA decisions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Platforms: Experience with platforms like Google Analytics to understand user behavior, content performance, and to inform IA strategy.

Collaboration & Documentation:

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom for remote communication and collaboration.

• Documentation Tools: Experience with tools for creating and sharing documentation (e.g., Confluence, Google Workspace, Notion).

📝 Enhancement Note: While no specific tool stack is mandated, the role requires proficiency in standard UX/IA design and documentation tools. The ability to understand how IA integrates with CMS and informs SEO/GEO strategies is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Adaptability: Embraces change, innovation, and resourcefulness in a fast-paced, evolving digital landscape. This is crucial for a project involving website consolidation and adaptation to new search technologies like GEO.

• Community: Fosters collaboration, builds trust, and values diverse perspectives with kindness and respect, essential for a remote team and cross-functional partnerships.

• Excellence: Holds high expectations for quality and performance, particularly relevant for a role shaping the foundational user experience of a premier industry event.

• Results-Oriented: A passionate, goal-driven approach to achieving project objectives and delivering impactful outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Remote-First Collaboration: Proactive and clear communication is key, utilizing digital tools effectively to maintain connection and drive progress.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Works closely with creative designers and potentially other marketing/product teams, bridging the gap between structural strategy and visual execution.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encourages sharing of insights and rationale to ensure alignment and support future development, as evidenced by the requirement to document IA rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values of Adaptability, Community, and Excellence align perfectly with the demands of a complex, remote, and strategic contract role. Candidates should demonstrate how their work style and approach reflect these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Synthesizing Disparate Systems: Merging two distinct websites requires careful navigation of differing content structures, user flows, and potentially technical foundations.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Aligning the strategic vision for a unified platform with the varied requirements and expectations of different internal stakeholders.

• Staying Ahead of AI Search: Integrating Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) effectively, a relatively new and evolving area, requires adaptability and a proactive learning approach.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Ensuring seamless communication and project momentum within a fully remote team environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• GEO Expertise: Deepen practical understanding and application of Generative Engine Optimization principles, a rapidly growing field.

• Large-Scale IA Project Leadership: Gain significant experience managing and delivering a complex website consolidation and redesign project.

• Industry Insight: Immerse in the cybersecurity industry through work with RSA Conference, understanding its specific content and user needs.

• Portfolio Development: Build a robust case study around a major website transformation, enhancing professional marketability.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents an opportunity to tackle significant IA challenges and grow expertise in emerging areas like GEO, making it a valuable experience for a senior-level professional.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for auditing content and structure across two existing websites to prepare for consolidation."

• "How would you approach developing a unified site map and navigation architecture that effectively merges two distinct platforms?"

• "What are the key considerations for defining a scalable page hierarchy and content categorization framework for a growing organization?"

• "Explain your strategy for optimizing URL structure, internal linking, and heading hierarchy for both traditional SEO and emerging Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you embody Adaptability, Community, and Excellence in your work, especially in a remote contract role?"

• "Describe a time you had to collaborate closely with a visual designer to hand off structural direction. What was your approach?"

• "How do you ensure clear communication and alignment with stakeholders when working remotely on a complex project?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each key project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the solutions implemented (IA, sitemaps, wireframes, SEO strategy), and the quantifiable results or impact.

• Focus on Consolidation: Emphasize projects where you merged or consolidated existing digital properties. Detail the specific challenges and your strategic resolutions.

• Visualize Your Work: Use clear visuals for sitemaps, user flows, and wireframes. Explain the rationale behind each design choice.

• Highlight GEO/SEO Integration: Explicitly call out how SEO principles were integrated and discuss your approach to GEO considerations.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific decisions, trade-offs made, and how you handled unforeseen challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a deep understanding of IA principles, practical experience in website consolidation and SEO, and the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, especially concerning the emerging field of GEO.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Strategist / Information Architect position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on JazzHR.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your 10+ years of experience in UX Strategy and Information Architecture, specifically emphasizing projects involving website consolidation, redesigns, and complex content restructuring. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate your strongest examples of site maps, navigation designs, content models, wireframes, and case studies of website consolidations. Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your approach to IA, SEO integration, and GEO considerations.

• Practice your portfolio presentation: Be ready to walk through 2-3 key projects, detailing your process, strategic decisions, and outcomes, particularly focusing on how you solved problems related to site architecture and user experience.

• Research RSA Conference: Understand their mission, their current web presence, and the cybersecurity industry. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.

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