Senior UX Writer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Writer

Company: X, bigly labs (Dis-Chem's Innovation Hub)

Location: Melrose Arch (Hybrid), Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Content Strategy & UX Writing

Date Posted: 2026-09-15

Experience Level: 3-5+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead content quality and strategy for a designated product domain or significant feature set within Dis-Chem's innovation hub.

• Craft clear, consistent, and effective interaction content to enhance user task success and minimize friction across digital healthcare solutions.

• Shape and evolve editorial standards, content patterns, and best practices for UX writing within the organization.

• Drive evidence-based writing decisions by deeply collaborating with UX researchers, product managers, designers, and engineers.

• Elevate the overall quality and impact of UX writing craft across the product development chapter.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within an "innovation hub" focused on "reimagining healthcare" through "cutting-edge digital solutions." This suggests a dynamic, fast-paced environment where strategic content thinking directly influences product direction and user experience, particularly in a highly regulated sector like healthcare. The emphasis on "data, design, and radical customer focus" indicates a need for a writer who can translate complex technical and medical information into user-friendly language.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end content strategy and execution for assigned product domains or major feature sets, ensuring alignment with overarching product goals.

• Design and develop multi-state flows, error messages, naming conventions, and comprehensive messaging frameworks that guide users effectively.

• Contribute to and refine editorial guidelines, content patterns, and style guides to ensure consistency and brand voice across all user touchpoints.

• Partner closely with UX Researchers (UXRs) to design and execute copy testing strategies, and to integrate research findings into content decisions.

• Act as a key influencer in product decisions by collaborating with Product Managers (PMs), designers, and engineers, clarifying system behavior and user journeys through precise content.

• Identify and address copy-related issues identified during user research phases, proactively suggesting solutions.

• Clarify ambiguous logic within product requirements by providing clear and user-centric content solutions.

• Champion accessibility standards (WCAG) in all written content, ensuring inclusive and understandable communication for all users.

• Develop and maintain reusable content patterns for common user interactions such as errors, confirmations, and instructions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level contribution, emphasizing ownership, strategic influence, and deep cross-functional collaboration. The focus on "multi-state flows," "error systems," "naming," and "messaging frameworks" points to a need for expertise in complex product interactions and system-level content design, rather than just isolated microcopy.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in fields such as Writing, Communications, Journalism, Linguistics, Marketing, Design, or a closely related discipline.

• Additional training or demonstrable applied learning in UX Writing, Content Design, Editorial Practice, Copywriting, or Content Strategy is highly advantageous. Experience:

• Typically 3–5+ years of dedicated UX Writing or Content Design experience, with a proven track record on complex products, services, or user journeys.

• Demonstrated strong judgment, ability to navigate ambiguity, and a capacity to influence design and product decisions through strategic content contributions. Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Figma for embedding copy within flows, annotating designs, and understanding design system components.

• Expertise in using Miro or FigJam for mapping content logic, user flows, and information architecture.

• Familiarity with design system tooling, including content patterns, naming systems, and component libraries.

• Proven experience with copy testing methodologies and comprehension analysis to validate content effectiveness.

• Advanced proficiency in collaboration platforms such as Jira, Confluence, Notion, and the Google Suite for project management and documentation.

• Strong understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG) and the ability to write for accessibility compliance.

• Ability to write clear, succinct, high-impact content for complex user tasks and multi-step flows.

• Experience in developing reusable content patterns for common user interactions (e.g., errors, confirmations, instructions).

• Skill in identifying and articulating copy-related issues during user research and product requirement phases.

• Capacity to clarify ambiguous logic in product requirements through user-centric writing. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within a healthcare or highly regulated industry.

• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS) or content strategy platforms.

• Experience in mentoring junior writers or contributing to team knowledge sharing.

• Understanding of localization and internationalization considerations for content.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills heavily emphasize technical proficiency with design and collaboration tools, underscoring the role's integration within a modern digital product development workflow. The specific mention of "design system tooling" and "writing for WCAG" indicates a mature approach to content governance and accessibility.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 significant UX Writing or Content Design projects.

• Demonstrations of end-to-end content ownership for complex features or product domains.

• Case studies detailing the process of designing multi-state flows, error systems, naming conventions, and messaging frameworks.

• Evidence of contributions to editorial guidelines, content patterns, and the improvement of content consistency.

• Examples of collaboration with UXRs, including the design and application of copy testing and research findings.

• Documentation of influencing product decisions through content, clarifying system behavior, and solving ambiguous requirements.

• Specific examples of writing for accessibility (WCAG) and developing reusable content patterns. Process Documentation:

• Detailed documentation of the process for developing and refining UX copy within an agile development environment.

• Examples of how content logic was mapped using tools like Miro or FigJam.

• Evidence of iterative content design processes, including testing, feedback incorporation, and final implementation.

• Workflow examples demonstrating collaboration with design, research, and engineering teams using platforms like Jira and Confluence.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Writer role, the portfolio is critical. It must go beyond simple examples of copy to demonstrate strategic thinking, process ownership, cross-functional collaboration, and measurable impact on user experience and product success, especially within a complex domain like healthcare.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the Senior UX Writer title, 3-5+ years of experience, and the hybrid nature of the role in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, a competitive salary range is estimated. Based on industry benchmarks for senior content design roles in major South African metropolitan areas, the estimated annual salary range is R600,000 - R850,000 ZAR.

📝 Enhancement Note: This estimate is based on general market data for senior-level content professionals in South Africa, considering the specified experience level and the hybrid work arrangement in a prime Johannesburg location. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's specific skills, experience, and the company's compensation philosophy.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical aid coverage through Dis-Chem's established plans.

• Retirement savings contributions (pension/provident fund).

• Generous paid time off (annual leave, sick leave, public holidays).

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

• Access to Dis-Chem's employee wellness programs and discounts.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.

• Hybrid work flexibility, allowing for a balance between office collaboration and remote work. Working Hours:

Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility often afforded through the hybrid work arrangement. Core business hours will likely align with South African standard business times (e.g., 08:00/09:00 to 17:00/18:00), with potential for adjustments based on project needs and team collaboration schedules.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology / Digital Health Innovation. X, bigly labs operates as an innovation hub for Dis-Chem, a major pharmacy and healthcare group in South Africa. This positions the company at the intersection of established healthcare retail and cutting-edge digital transformation.

Company Size: Dis-Chem Group is a large enterprise (indicated by its established retail presence), and X, bigly labs, as its innovation hub, likely operates with the agility of a tech startup within the broader corporate structure. This suggests a culture that balances innovation and rapid execution with the stability and resources of a larger organization.

Founded: Dis-Chem was founded in 1997. X, bigly labs represents a more recent strategic initiative to drive digital innovation.

Team Structure:

• The UX Writer will be part of the "X, bigly labs" innovation hub, likely structured around "tribes" or product domains.

• They will report into a Content Design Lead or Head of UX within the innovation hub's product development structure.

• Close collaboration is expected with product managers, UX designers, UX researchers, and engineers within their assigned tribe.

• The role is also expected to contribute to a broader "chapter" of UX writers, fostering shared learning and craft elevation. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using data, user research, and evidence-based writing to inform product and content strategies.

• Agile Development: Likely operating within agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban) for iterative product development and content creation.

• Customer-Centric Design: A radical focus on the customer experience, using data and design to create user-centric solutions.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Breaking down silos between design, engineering, research, and product management to foster integrated product development.

Company Website: https://www.dischem.co.za/ (for Dis-Chem Group) and likely an internal or dedicated site for X, bigly labs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "innovation hub" model suggests a dynamic environment that values experimentation and rapid iteration, but within the context of a large, established healthcare provider. This implies a unique blend of startup agility and corporate structure, where demonstrating impact and ROI is crucial.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Writer role, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires significant autonomy, strategic input, and the ability to mentor or influence others. The role is expected to own complex features and contribute to establishing content standards, rather than just executing tasks.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Writer will likely report to a UX Lead, Head of Content Design, or a similar management role within the X, bigly labs innovation hub. They will also be part of a broader "chapter" of UX writers, fostering peer learning and community.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to improving the user experience of digital healthcare products. By creating clear, accessible, and effective content, the Senior UX Writer will reduce user friction, increase task completion rates, enhance trust in the platform, and ultimately contribute to better health outcomes for South Africans. This role is crucial in translating complex healthcare information into understandable and actionable language for users.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership within the Chapter: Opportunity to take on more significant leadership responsibilities within the UX writing chapter, potentially mentoring junior writers or leading content initiatives.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX writing, such as complex health journeys, accessibility, or content strategy for emerging technologies.

• Product Strategy Influence: Grow to have a more profound influence on product strategy and roadmap decisions through demonstrated content expertise and user advocacy.

• Transferable Skills: Develop highly transferable skills in content strategy, product development, and cross-functional leadership applicable across various industries.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into roles like Lead UX Writer, Content Strategist, or Product Manager with a content focus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a path towards leadership or deep specialization. The emphasis on "elevating craft quality for the chapter" suggests opportunities for mentorship and contributing to the growth of the entire UX writing discipline within the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "Hybrid," meaning a blend of on-site work at the Melrose Arch location and remote work. This suggests a modern office setup designed to facilitate collaboration.

Office Location(s): Melrose Arch is a premium, mixed-use development in Johannesburg, known for its modern infrastructure, accessibility, and vibrant atmosphere. This location offers a professional and convenient environment for office-based work.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely features dedicated collaboration zones, meeting rooms, and potentially open-plan areas designed to encourage interaction among design, engineering, research, and content teams.

• Technology Enabled: Expect access to the necessary tools and technology infrastructure to support both in-office and remote work, including reliable internet, AV equipment for meetings, and potentially shared workstations.

• Innovation Hub Atmosphere: The "innovation hub" setting suggests a dynamic and potentially less formal environment than traditional corporate offices, fostering creativity and rapid prototyping.

Work Schedule: The hybrid model allows for flexibility. While core hours will likely be observed for team collaboration and meetings, remote days can offer focused work time. The nature of UX writing within product development often requires adaptability to project timelines and sprint cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and premium location suggest a company that values employee well-being and provides a conducive environment for focused work and collaborative synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review your application, focusing on your resume and portfolio link.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A key stage will involve presenting your portfolio, walking through 2-3 selected case studies. Be prepared to discuss your process, decision-making, challenges, and the impact of your work.

• Skills Assessment/Exercise: You may be given a small UX writing challenge or exercise to assess your ability to handle specific content tasks, solve problems, and apply your writing skills under constraints.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with designers, researchers, product managers, and potentially engineers to assess collaboration style, communication, and understanding of the product development lifecycle.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager to discuss your overall fit, career aspirations, and suitability for the senior role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your senior-level capabilities, focusing on complex features, strategic impact, and your end-to-end ownership.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role and contributions, your process (research, ideation, design, testing, iteration), the solutions you implemented, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you partnered with other disciplines (design, research, PM, engineering) and how your content influenced their work and vice-versa.

• Showcase Process Tools: Include examples of how you used Figma, Miro/FigJam, and other tools to develop and document your content solutions.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your content (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced support tickets, increased task completion).

• Accessibility Focus: Ensure at least one case study highlights your experience with accessibility standards (WCAG) and how you incorporated them into your writing.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a challenge, carefully read the brief to understand the user problem, target audience, and desired outcome.

• Think Like a User: Approach the problem from the user's perspective, considering their goals, motivations, and potential pain points.

• Apply Core Principles: Demonstrate your understanding of clear, concise, and user-centered language.

• Consider States and Flows: Think about different user states (e.g., empty states, error states, success states) and how your copy would adapt.

• Be Prepared to Justify: Be ready to explain the rationale behind your word choices, tone, and approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "owning content end-to-end" and "influencing PMs, designers, engineers" means the interview process will likely assess not just writing skill but also strategic thinking, collaboration, and leadership potential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for embedding copy within design mockups, annotating designs, and understanding design system components. Advanced proficiency is required.

• Miro/FigJam: Critical for mapping content logic, user flows, information architecture, and collaborative brainstorming.

• Design System Tooling: Familiarity with how content patterns, naming systems, and components are managed within a design system.

• Collaboration Platforms: Advanced proficiency in Jira (for task tracking and workflow management), Confluence (for documentation and knowledge sharing), Notion, and Google Suite is expected.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a primary tool for the writer, understanding how to leverage analytics from tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude to inform content decisions and measure impact will be beneficial.

• Familiarity with dashboards that visualize user behavior and content performance metrics. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly specified for this role, but an understanding of how UX content integrates with broader customer journeys managed by CRM systems and marketing automation tools could be advantageous. Other Relevant Tools:

• Copy Testing & Comprehension Tools: Experience with methods and potentially tools for testing copy effectiveness and user comprehension.

• Accessibility Checkers: Familiarity with tools and techniques for checking content against WCAG guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Miro/FigJam, and collaboration tools like Jira/Confluence signifies a deeply integrated role within a modern, digital product development workflow. The emphasis on "advanced proficiency" suggests these are not just tools to be used, but mastered.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: A strong focus on creating tangible impact through digital solutions that improve healthcare access and outcomes for South Africans.

• Customer-Centricity: A "radical customer focus" that prioritizes understanding and meeting user needs through thoughtful design and clear communication.

• Data & Evidence: Decisions are informed by data, user research, and evidence-based writing practices, not just intuition.

• Collaboration & Ownership: A culture where individuals own their domains, collaborate deeply across functions, and contribute to collective success.

• Innovation & Agility: A willingness to experiment, challenge the status quo, and build "breakthroughs" in healthcare.

• Clarity & Simplicity: A commitment to making complex healthcare information accessible and understandable through clear, succinct language.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Cross-Functional Teams: The UX Writer will work as an integral part of product tribes, collaborating closely with designers, researchers, PMs, and engineers on a daily basis.

• Evidence-Based Advocacy: Presenting content recommendations and advocating for user needs based on research, data, and best practices.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Engaging in continuous feedback sessions, design reviews, and content critiques to refine solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in the UX writing chapter to share learnings, best practices, and contribute to the team's collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values ("fixes friction, chases what changes, and owns the outcome," "design with tomorrow in mind, ask sharper questions, and answer them with care, urgency, and systems that scale") point to a culture that values proactive problem-solving, strategic foresight, and robust execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Healthcare Information: The primary challenge will be to distill complex medical information, technical jargon, and regulatory requirements into clear, user-friendly language for a diverse South African audience.

• Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Navigating the balance between the rapid, experimental nature of an innovation hub and the strict regulatory compliance required in the healthcare sector.

• Driving Content Strategy Adoption: Ensuring that content strategy is recognized as a critical component of product development, not an afterthought, and influencing stakeholders to prioritize it.

• Maintaining Consistency Across a Large Organization: As part of Dis-Chem's innovation hub, ensuring brand voice and UX writing consistency across various digital touchpoints, potentially spanning different product lines.

• Measuring Content Impact: Developing and implementing effective methods to measure the impact of UX writing on user behavior, task success, and overall business objectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Healthcare Innovation: Gain in-depth knowledge of digital health trends, patient needs, and the healthcare ecosystem in South Africa.

• Advanced Content Strategy: Develop advanced skills in content strategy, information architecture, and content governance within a complex product environment.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior writers and contribute to the development of the UX writing discipline within X, bigly labs.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Enhance understanding of UX design, user research methodologies, product management, and agile development practices.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Potential for participation in industry events and professional development programs focused on UX writing, content design, and digital health.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the unique complexities of working in healthcare technology, requiring a nuanced approach to communication and a strong understanding of both user needs and industry constraints.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate highly technical or complex information into simple, user-friendly language. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on methodology, tools, and impact.)

• "How do you approach influencing product decisions when your content recommendations face resistance from designers or product managers?" (Highlight collaboration, data-driven arguments, and negotiation skills.)

• "Walk us through a complex user flow you've written content for. What were the key states, error messages, and decisions you made, and why?" (Demonstrate end-to-end ownership and strategic thinking.)

• "How do you ensure your content is accessible and inclusive for a diverse user base, especially considering WCAG guidelines?" (Showcase understanding of accessibility principles and practical application.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about X, bigly labs' mission to reimagine healthcare?" (Connect your passion for user-centric solutions and healthcare impact.)

• "How do you envision your role contributing to the innovation culture here?" (Discuss your proactive approach, willingness to experiment, and collaborative spirit.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or remote team environment. How do you maintain productivity and collaboration?" (Address your adaptability and communication strategies.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as narratives that highlight the problem, your critical thinking, your process, and the positive impact of your work.

• Process Visualization: Use Miro boards, Figma prototypes, or flow diagrams to visually explain your content strategy and decision-making.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention who you worked with and how you leveraged their expertise.

• Quantify Achievements: Present metrics clearly and explain how your content contributed to them.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your word choices, content patterns, and how you handled specific challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to demonstrate not just your writing skills, but your strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and your capacity to operate autonomously and collaboratively within a senior role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Writer position:

• Submit your application through the provided greenhouse.io link.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience with UX writing, content design, complex product features, and proficiency in the specified tools (Figma, Miro, Jira, etc.). Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 2-3 strong case studies showcasing your senior-level work, focusing on complex flows, strategic influence, and measurable impact. Ensure it demonstrates your process and collaboration.

• Prepare for a portfolio presentation: Practice walking through your case studies, articulating your decision-making, and answering in-depth questions about your process and impact.

• Research X, bigly labs and Dis-Chem: Understand their mission, values, and the healthcare landscape in South Africa to better articulate your motivation and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.