📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Brand Copywriter
🔹 Company: Earnest
🔹 Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (Remote with 3 days/month in Oakland office)
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: May 13, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote with 3 days/month in Oakland office)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading copy development across various marketing channels to drive customer engagement and conversion
- Shaping and evolving brand voice guidelines based on performance data and market research
- Contributing to business strategy through brand-focused initiatives and creative solutions
- Partnering with Product Marketing to balance business objectives with brand-building goals
- Driving creative ideation and execution for marketing campaigns across channels
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in B2C copywriting, preferably in consumer financial services, to effectively drive brand messaging and customer engagement.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead copy development across Lifecycle, Performance Marketing, and Web channels to drive customer engagement and conversion
✅ Shape and evolve brand voice guidelines based on performance data and market research
✅ Contribute to business strategy through brand-focused initiatives and creative solutions
✅ Partner with Product Marketing to balance business objectives with brand-building goals
✅ Develop compelling marketing copy that educates consumers about financial services value propositions
✅ Drive creative ideation and execution for marketing campaigns across channels
✅ Create and optimize content for digital marketing, web, email, product, and offline advertising
✅ Lead copy-testing initiatives to continuously improve creative performance
✅ Collaborate with designers to create cohesive marketing assets that strengthen brand identity
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of SEO principles and experience working with content management systems to optimize copy and improve search engine rankings.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, English, Journalism, or a related field
Experience: 5+ years of B2C copywriting experience in either an agency or in-house creative team
Required Skills:
- Proven ability to lead copy development across various marketing channels
- Strong understanding of consumer financial services (preferred)
- Diverse portfolio of copy examples including web, advertising, email, and product
- Ability to balance business objectives with user needs and team needs
- Experience working with Product, Design, and Lifecycle Marketing teams to optimize and A/B test copy across the funnel and end-to-end customer experience
- Ability to adapt copy tone of voice to align with various audiences
- Self-driven, organized, detail-oriented, and able to multitask in a dynamic environment
- Understanding of SEO principles
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with content management systems
- Willingness to travel to the Oakland office monthly to collaborate with other Earnies
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in consumer financial services and a strong portfolio demonstrating their ability to write compelling copy that drives results will be highly competitive for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $122,000 - $138,000 USD per year
Benefits:
- Health, Dental, & Vision benefits plus savings plans
- Mac computers + work-from-home stipend to set up your home office
- Monthly internet and phone reimbursement
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
- 401(k) plan to help you save for retirement plus a company match
- Robust tuition reimbursement program
- $1,000 travel perk on each Earnie-versary to anywhere in world
- Competitive days of annual PTO
- Competitive parental leave
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on market data for similar roles in the San Francisco Bay Area and takes into account the candidate's experience level and the company's size and industry.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Financial Services, specifically focused on consumer lending and student loan refinancing
Company Size: Medium (201-500 employees), which offers a balance between a startup-like environment and the resources of a larger organization
Founded: 2013, with a mission to make higher education accessible and affordable for everyone
Company Description:
- Earnest empowers past, present, and soon-to-be students to maximize their financial futures through thoughtful guidance and impactful products
- The company offers private student loans, student loan refinancing, and scholarships to help students pay less for their education
- Earnest is committed to building an environment where employees feel included, valued, and heard, with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging
Company Specialties:
- Consumer Lending
- Financial Technology
- Mission Driven, Value-driven
Company Website: Earnest.com
ASSUMPTION: Earnest's focus on empowering students and its mission-driven approach to financial services sets it apart from other companies in the industry.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior, with the opportunity to grow and take on more responsibilities within the marketing team
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Brand & Content
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with remote work for most of the week and 3 days per month in the Oakland office
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on more responsibilities and grow into a leadership role within the marketing team
- Opportunities to work on various marketing campaigns and channels, allowing for diverse learning experiences
- Chance to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product and Design, to improve the end-to-end customer experience
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to learn, develop, and take on more responsibilities within the marketing team.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with a remote-first culture and 3 days per month in the Oakland office
Office Location(s): San Francisco, California (main office), Oakland, California (occasional in-person collaboration)
Geographic Context:
- The San Francisco Bay Area offers a diverse and vibrant culture, with numerous amenities and attractions
- The region is known for its mild Mediterranean climate, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers
- The Bay Area is home to a thriving tech industry, with numerous startups and established companies
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers the best of both worlds, allowing for the convenience of remote work most of the week and the opportunity for in-person collaboration and team-building a few days per month.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR team
- Portfolio review and writing test with the marketing team
- Final interview with the Head of Brand & Content and other team members
Key Assessment Areas:
- Portfolio quality and diversity of copy examples
- Writing test performance, demonstrating the ability to create compelling copy under time constraints
- Cultural fit and alignment with Earnest's values and mission
- Problem-solving skills and ability to think critically about brand messaging and customer engagement
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Include a link to your portfolio or attach samples of your best work
- Prepare for the writing test by brushing up on your copywriting skills and familiarizing yourself with Earnest's brand voice and messaging
- Research Earnest's mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with the company's
ATS Keywords: B2C copywriting, consumer financial services, brand voice, marketing campaigns, customer engagement, SEO, content management systems
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's copywriting skills, cultural fit, and ability to drive brand messaging and customer engagement.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, Adobe Experience Manager)
- SEO tools (e.g., Google Search Console, SEMrush, Ahrefs)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard tools and technologies is expected for this role, with a focus on content management systems and SEO tools to optimize copy and improve search engine rankings.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Earn Happy Customers
- Better is Better
- Ph.D. in Moving Fast
- Passion for Challenges
- Impact is a Team Sport
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a focus on collective success
- Fast-paced and dynamic, with a strong emphasis on moving quickly and iterating based on feedback
- Mission-driven, with a commitment to empowering students and improving financial outcomes for customers
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with Earnest's values and mission, and how do your personal values contribute to the company's success?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and do you thrive on challenges and change?
- Do you prefer a collaborative work style, and are you able to balance business objectives with user needs and team needs?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong alignment with Earnest's values and a collaborative, mission-driven work style will be well-suited to this role and the company's culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing business objectives with user needs and brand-building goals may require strong communication and negotiation skills
- Working with cross-functional teams and stakeholders may present challenges in coordinating and aligning brand messaging across various marketing channels
- Keeping up with industry trends and best practices in consumer financial services and copywriting may require continuous learning and adaptation
- Managing a hybrid work arrangement may present challenges in maintaining productivity and work-life balance
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be mitigated through strong communication, collaboration, and adaptability, as well as a commitment to continuous learning and personal growth.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other senior copywriter roles, this position offers a unique opportunity to shape brand voice guidelines and contribute to business strategy through creative solutions
- In the financial services industry, this role requires a strong understanding of consumer financial services and the ability to create compelling copy that educates consumers about financial products and services
- Career path comparison: This role offers significant growth potential, with the opportunity to take on more responsibilities and grow into a leadership role within the marketing team
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique combination of brand-building, strategic, and tactical responsibilities, making it an attractive opportunity for the right candidate.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand voice guide for Earnest, outlining tone, style, and messaging guidelines for various marketing channels
- Creating a marketing campaign to promote Earnest's private student loan product, targeting prospective students and their families
- Optimizing Earnest's website copy for search engines, improving organic traffic and customer engagement
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and opportunities available to the successful candidate in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the marketing department, and how this role fits into the overall organization?
- How does Earnest approach brand-building and customer engagement, and what are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the marketing team, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
- How does Earnest support the professional development and growth of its employees, and what opportunities exist for growth within the marketing team?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does the hybrid work arrangement support this?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help you better understand the role, the team, and the company, enabling you to make an informed decision about your fit and potential for success in this position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Earnest job board
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a portfolio or attach samples of your best work, demonstrating your ability to create compelling copy across various marketing channels
- Prepare for the writing test by brushing up on your copywriting skills and familiarizing yourself with Earnest's brand voice and messaging
- Research Earnest's mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with the company's
- Follow up with the HR team one week after submitting your application to inquire about your application status
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
