Senior UX Writer, Contract

Critical Mass
Full-timeβ€’$50-56/hour (CAD)β€’Vancouver, Canada

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Writer, Contract

Company: Critical Mass

Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Job Type: Contract

Category: User Experience / Content Strategy

Date Posted: June 01, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • This contract role focuses on leveraging exceptional UX writing to craft cohesive product narratives and transactional content across various digital platforms.

  • The position requires a strategic approach to content strategy, focusing on improving user experience through clear, meaningful, and effective copy.

  • Key responsibilities include collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure content aligns with business goals and user needs, with a strong emphasis on transactional flows and microcopy.

  • The role demands a proven ability to lead content initiatives and influence stakeholders, particularly within complex user journey designs.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior UX Writer," the core responsibilities and required experience lean heavily into "Content Strategy" and "Product Content" within the UX discipline, particularly for transactional and user-facing communications. The role is situated within a contract engagement, highlighting the need for immediate impact and project-specific deliverables.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute content strategy for transactional copy across email, SMS, in-app messaging, and other digital channels.

  • Craft clear, user-centric copy for complex user flows, including checkout processes, order confirmations, shipping updates, error states, and account notifications.

  • Translate complex or technical information into accessible and engaging language that supports user understanding and task completion.

  • Collaborate closely with User Experience (UX) designers, Product Managers, Engineers, and Legal teams to ensure content is aligned with product goals, brand voice, and regulatory requirements.

  • Edit and meticulously proofread content to uphold high quality standards and consistency across all deliverables.

  • Lead content direction for transactional projects, providing creative guidance and mentorship to junior writers.

  • Conduct user experience research and leverage data insights to optimize content for conversion and customer journey enhancement.

  • Ensure all content adheres to accessibility standards and legal/compliance guidelines.

  • Work efficiently on multiple concurrent projects, managing timelines and deliverables effectively.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The original job description emphasizes "transactional projects" and "complex user flows," which are core to operations and GTM functions. The responsibilities have been expanded to explicitly include content strategy execution, cross-functional collaboration for alignment, and optimization based on user experience and conversion metrics, aligning with typical operations-focused content roles.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

  • Minimum of 6+ years of professional copywriting experience, with a significant focus on UX writing, transactional content, or product copy.

  • Demonstrated experience in leading content strategy and influencing cross-functional stakeholders in a product development environment.

Required Skills:

  • UX Writing: Expertise in crafting clear, concise, and user-centered copy for digital interfaces, including microcopy, error messages, and calls to action.

  • Content Strategy: Ability to define and implement content strategies that align with business objectives and user needs, particularly for transactional user journeys.

  • Transactional Content: Deep understanding and experience in writing for critical transactional flows such as checkout, order management, account notifications, and shipping updates.

  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with UX, Product, Engineering, Marketing, Legal, and other departments.

  • Editing & Proofreading: Exceptional attention to detail with a strong command of grammar, style, and tone.

  • User Journey Mapping: Understanding of customer journey design principles and how content impacts user experience and conversion.

Preferred Skills:

  • Conversion Optimization: Experience in applying conversion rate optimization (CRO) principles to content design.

  • Accessibility Standards: Familiarity with WCAG guidelines and best practices for accessible content creation.

  • Platform Proficiency: Experience writing for various channels including email, SMS, in-app messaging, and web.

  • Mentorship: Experience guiding or mentoring junior writers.

  • Web Trends & Technology: Keen enthusiasm for and demonstrable understanding of current web trends and digital technologies.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The required experience level (6+ years) and focus on transactional content, conversion optimization, and customer journey design strongly suggest a role that impacts revenue generation and operational efficiency. The skills have been detailed to reflect these operational implications, emphasizing the strategic and analytical aspects beyond basic copywriting.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A robust portfolio showcasing at least 3-5 significant UX writing projects, with a strong emphasis on transactional content and complex user flows.

  • For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the content strategy employed, the user journey impact, and measurable results (e.g., conversion rate improvements, task completion rates, reduction in support tickets).

  • Demonstrations of how you translated complex technical or business requirements into clear, user-friendly copy.

  • Examples of content that addresses legal, compliance, or accessibility requirements.

Process Documentation:

  • Evidence of your process for developing and refining UX copy, including research, ideation, drafting, stakeholder reviews, and iteration based on testing or metrics.

  • Documentation of how you managed content consistency and voice across multiple platforms or product features.

  • Examples of how you have contributed to or led the development of content style guides or best practice documentation for transactional content.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Writer role focused on transactional content, a portfolio is crucial. The enhancement emphasizes showcasing not just the writing but the strategic process, measurable impact, and collaborative approach, which are key indicators of operational effectiveness and seniority.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $50 - $56 CAD per hour

Benefits:

  • As this is a contract role, benefits are typically provided through the contractor's own agency or directly if employed by Critical Mass. Specifics would need to be clarified during the interview process.

  • Opportunity to work with a recognized global brand and contribute to high-impact digital experiences.

  • Potential for professional development through exposure to diverse projects and talented cross-functional teams.

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time hours, estimated at 40 hours per week.

  • Flexibility may be available depending on project needs and team coordination, but on-site presence is expected.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is hourly. For a contract role, standard benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and retirement contributions are often not directly provided by the hiring company but are managed by the contractor's employment agency. The duration of the contract is also a key piece of information for candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising / Digital Experience Agency

Company Size: Critical Mass is a global digital experience agency with a significant employee base, indicating a structured environment with established processes and a broad range of client engagements.

Founded: Critical Mass was founded in 1996, suggesting a long-standing presence and evolution within the digital marketing and consulting landscape.

Team Structure:

  • The role involves working within a client engagement team at Critical Mass, collaborating closely with internal UX designers, strategists, project managers, and potentially other writers.

  • Significant cross-functional collaboration will occur with the client's internal teams, including Product Management, Engineering, Legal, and Marketing.

Methodology:

  • Critical Mass likely employs agile methodologies for project management and content development, common in digital agencies.

  • The focus will be on data-driven decision-making, user-centric design principles, and iterative content refinement based on performance metrics and user feedback.

  • Emphasis on translating creative briefs into tangible, effective digital experiences.

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

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Critical Mass operates as a digital experience agency, meaning this role is client-facing and project-driven. The "team structure" and "methodology" sections are inferred based on typical agency operations, focusing on collaboration, agile processes, and data-driven execution to serve client needs.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor / Specialist

This role is positioned at a senior level, requiring independent execution, strategic input, and the ability to mentor. While a contract position, the seniority implies leadership in content strategy and execution for specific projects, impacting the client's user experience and operational efficiency through clear communication.

Reporting Structure:

  • The Senior UX Writer will report to a Project Lead or Creative Director at Critical Mass.

Operations Impact:

  • The role directly impacts the client's customer experience, which is critical for conversion rates, customer satisfaction, and retention – all key operational metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in transactional content, conversion optimization, and specific industry verticals through client engagements.

  • Portfolio Expansion: Build a strong portfolio with high-profile client work, enhancing marketability for future senior or lead roles.

  • Strategic Influence: Gain experience in influencing content strategy at a senior level with major brands, developing strategic thinking and stakeholder management skills.

  • Network Building: Establish professional relationships with teams at Critical Mass and client organizations.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed within the context of a senior contract role, focusing on skill enhancement, portfolio building, and strategic exposure rather than traditional internal career progression. The "Operations Impact" section highlights how UX writing contributes to core business and operational objectives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site at Critical Mass's Vancouver office. This suggests a professional agency environment designed for collaboration.

Office Location(s): Vancouver, BC, Canada. Specific office address details would be provided upon engagement.

Workspace Context:

  • The environment is expected to be collaborative, with opportunities to work alongside other strategists, designers, and project managers at Critical Mass.

  • Access to agency-standard tools and technologies for project management, communication, and content creation.

Work Schedule:

  • Primarily a standard Monday-Friday work week, with an estimated 40 hours.

  • While on-site, there may be some flexibility depending on project deadlines and team needs, but consistent availability during core business hours is expected for effective collaboration.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "on-site" requirement is a key differentiator. The description focuses on the collaborative nature of an agency environment and the integration with both agency and client teams.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and fit with the role's requirements.

  • Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session where you'll walk through selected projects from your portfolio, detailing your process, strategic thinking, and the impact of your work. Expect questions on how you approach transactional content, collaboration, and problem-solving.

  • Stakeholder Interview: You may meet with a hiring manager or key team members from Critical Mass and potentially a client representative to discuss your experience, working style, and ability to integrate with their teams.

  • Skills Assessment: Potentially a short writing exercise or case study focused on transactional content or problem-solving scenarios relevant to the client's business.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best demonstrate your expertise in UX writing, transactional content, and strategic thinking. Prioritize work that shows measurable results.

  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the challenge, your approach, your specific contributions, the tools/processes used, and the quantifiable outcomes. Use a consistent format.

  • Highlight Operations Impact: Emphasize how your copy improved user experience, drove conversions, reduced errors, or positively impacted key business metrics for the client.

  • Be Prepared for "Why": Be ready to explain the rationale behind your word choices, content structure, and strategic decisions.

  • Showcase Collaboration: Provide examples of how you worked with UX, Product, and Engineering teams to achieve content goals.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Review common transactional user flows (e.g., e-commerce checkout, account creation, error handling) and think about how to write clear, concise, and reassuring copy for each stage.

  • Consider how you would approach a brief requiring content for a complex technical process or a sensitive user notification.

  • Prepare to discuss your understanding of conversion optimization principles and how UX writing contributes to them.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The interview process description is tailored to a senior UX writing role, emphasizing the portfolio as the primary evaluation tool. Specific tips are provided for presenting work that demonstrates operational impact and strategic thinking.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with various CMS platforms used for website and digital content deployment.

  • Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for team communication and project coordination.

  • Project Management Software: Experience with platforms such as Asana, Jira, Trello, or Monday.com for task tracking and workflow management.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Web Analytics Platforms: Experience with Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar to understand user behavior and content performance.

  • A/B Testing Tools: Familiarity with tools like Optimizely or VWO for testing content variations and measuring impact on conversion rates.

CRM & Automation:

  • CRM Systems: Basic understanding of how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) can inform user segmentation and tailored communication strategies.

  • Marketing Automation Platforms: Awareness of platforms like Marketo, Pardot, or HubSpot for email and SMS campaign execution.

  • Design & Prototyping Tools: Experience with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD for reviewing designs and collaborating on UI copy.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This section infers the likely technology stack based on a digital agency environment and the nature of UX/content strategy work. The focus is on tools that support collaboration, content delivery, performance analysis, and user experience optimization.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the user's needs through clear, helpful, and empathetic communication.

  • Excellence in Craft: A dedication to producing high-quality, polished, and effective copy that meets rigorous standards.

  • Collaboration & Partnership: A belief in working together across disciplines to achieve shared goals, valuing input from all team members.

  • Data-Driven Improvement: Utilizing data and user feedback to inform content decisions and continuously optimize performance.

  • Adaptability & Agility: Embracing change, iterating quickly, and adjusting strategies based on project needs and evolving digital landscapes.

Collaboration Style:

  • Proactive & Transparent: Open communication regarding project status, challenges, and ideas.

  • Constructive Feedback: Willingness to both give and receive feedback to improve content and processes.

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Actively seeking to understand the perspectives of UX, Product, Engineering, and business stakeholders to ensure content alignment.

  • Solution-Oriented: Focusing on finding effective solutions to content challenges that meet user and business objectives.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The cultural values and collaboration style are inferred based on the nature of agency work and the requirements of a senior UX writing role that emphasizes collaboration and user focus.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Client Needs with User Experience: Navigating potentially competing priorities between client objectives and optimal user experience, requiring strong advocacy for the user.

  • Complex Product Integration: Working with intricate user flows and technical systems that require deep understanding to translate into simple, effective copy.

  • Fast-Paced, Project-Driven Environment: Managing multiple projects with tight deadlines common in an agency setting.

  • Remote Collaboration (if applicable): Effectively communicating and collaborating with distributed teams and clients, ensuring alignment on content strategy and execution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced UX Writing Techniques: Gaining exposure to sophisticated content strategy and UX writing methodologies through client engagements.

  • Industry Exposure: Working with a diverse range of clients and industries, broadening understanding of different business models and user bases.

  • Mentorship: Opportunity to learn from senior strategists and creative leads at Critical Mass.

  • Portfolio Enhancement: Developing high-impact case studies that showcase significant contributions to user experience and business outcomes.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are framed to be relevant to a senior contract role in a digital agency, highlighting both the demands and the developmental potential.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

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

  • "How do you approach prioritizing content needs when working on multiple transactional projects with competing deadlines?" (Demonstrate your organizational and prioritization skills.)

  • "Walk us through a piece of transactional copy you're particularly proud of. What problem did it solve, and how did you measure its success?" (Be ready to present a portfolio piece effectively.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about working for Critical Mass and this specific client?" (Research the agency and the client's industry.)

  • "How do you typically collaborate with UX designers, product managers, and engineers?" (Provide specific examples of your collaborative process.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Select for Impact: Choose examples that clearly demonstrate your UX writing skills, especially for transactional content, and show measurable results.

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, follow a logical flow: Problem -> Your Role/Strategy -> Solution (the copy) -> Results.

  • Quantify When Possible: Use metrics (e.g., conversion rates, task completion, error reduction) to prove the effectiveness of your work.

  • Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your word choices, the rationale behind them, and how you handled feedback.

  • Showcase Process: Explain your research, ideation, and iteration processes.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Interview questions and preparation advice are tailored to a senior UX writer role, emphasizing portfolio presentation, strategic thinking, and collaborative problem-solving relevant to operations and GTM functions.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Writer contract position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on the Critical Mass careers page.

  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features projects that highlight your expertise in UX writing, transactional content, and user journey optimization. Tailor your selection to showcase work relevant to the client's industry if known.

  • Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize your 6+ years of experience in UX writing and transactional content, using keywords from the job description (e.g., "content strategy," "conversion optimization," "product narrative," "user flows"). Quantify achievements wherever possible.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on your strategic process, collaborative approach, and the measurable impact of your copy. Prepare to discuss your experience with complex user journeys and transactional flows.

  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Critical Mass's work, client roster, and company culture. If the client is identifiable, research their business and recent digital initiatives.

⚠️ 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.


Application Requirements

Candidates need 6+ years of copywriting experience with a strong focus on UX and transactional content. Proficiency in leading content strategy and navigating legal and accessibility requirements is required.