📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Writer, Copy Editing
🔹 Company: Critical Mass
🔹 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (3 days in office)
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: May 20, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing copy workflow between creative and production teams
- Ensuring client standards are met and exceeded
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver projects
- Defining best practices for content handoffs
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Proofread and update copy decks, ensure design comps match copy, and perform QA checks during staging and post-launch
✅ Write SEO and AX copy and handle change requests
✅ Collaborate with copywriters, editors, designers, and marketing teams to execute projects
✅ Manage the workflow of copy and assets, ensuring they meet client standards
✅ Partner with creative leadership to maintain processes and deadlines
✅ Participate in post-launch analysis and apply findings to improve future projects
✅ Define best practices for content handoffs in collaboration with other teams
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of independent work and collaboration with various teams to ensure projects are delivered on time and to a high standard.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field
Experience: 5-7 years of experience in a similar role, ensuring smooth copy flow between creative and production teams
Required Skills:
- Strong copy-editing skills with an eye for consistency and adherence to style guides
- Deep knowledge of the creative development process
- Exceptional attention to detail and multitasking abilities
- Strategic thinking and the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Strong understanding of digital production tools
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with content management systems (CMS)
- Familiarity with Agile methodologies
- Knowledge of HTML and CSS
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, having experience with relevant software and methodologies would be beneficial for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD 75,000 - CAD 95,000 per year (based on industry standards for a mid-senior level role in Calgary)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company matching
- Employee assistance program
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and personal days)
- Professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible hours and the option to work remotely 2 days a week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in Calgary. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and skills.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Critical Mass operates in the advertising services industry, working with major global brands to create connected digital ecosystems and unparalleled experiences.
Company Size: With over 1,700 employees, Critical Mass is a mid-sized agency with a global presence. This size allows for ample opportunities for collaboration and growth but maintains a relatively flat hierarchy.
Founded: Critical Mass was founded in Canada and has since expanded to 12 offices worldwide. Its history and growth reflect its commitment to digital innovation and client success.
Company Description:
- Critical Mass is a full-service digital agency offering a range of capabilities, including digital marketing, brand launch and experience, user experience and interaction, design, insight and planning, digital campaign management, social media, mobile, technology services, experience design, experience distribution, marketing science, and eCommerce.
- The agency is known for its uncompromising design standards, relentless focus on customers, and ability to leverage powerful new technologies for its clients.
- Critical Mass works with some of the world's greatest brands, such as Apple, Nike, Mars Wrigley, Nissan, Diageo, Airbnb, BMW, BNY Mellon, Johnson & Johnson, and many more.
Company Specialties:
- Digital Marketing
- Brand Launch & Experience
- User Experience & Interaction
- Design
- Insight & Planning
- Digital Campaign Management
- Social Media
- Mobile
- Technology Services
- Experience Design
- Experience Distribution
- Marketing Science
- eCommerce
Company Website: http://www.criticalmass.com
ASSUMPTION: Critical Mass is a well-established agency with a strong reputation in the industry. Its size and global presence offer opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-senior level, requiring a significant amount of experience and expertise in copy editing and project management.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Production Writer will report directly to the Creative Director and work closely with various teams, including copywriters, editors, designers, and marketing teams.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, requiring employees to be in the office a minimum of 3 days a week. The remaining 2 days can be worked remotely.
Growth Opportunities:
- As a mid-sized agency, Critical Mass offers opportunities for career progression within the company.
- The role's focus on collaboration and project management may lead to opportunities in leadership or management positions.
- Working with a diverse range of clients and projects may provide opportunities to develop new skills and expertise.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the company, as well as the chance to work on a variety of projects and clients.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Critical Mass' Calgary office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and innovation.
Office Location(s): 1011 9th Avenue SE, Suite 300, Calgary, Alberta T2G 0H7, CA
Geographic Context:
- Calgary is the largest city in Alberta, Canada, and the fifth-largest municipality in Canada by population.
- The city is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, as well as its proximity to the Canadian Rockies, offering ample opportunities for outdoor recreation.
- Calgary has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters.
Work Schedule: The work schedule is full-time, with flexible hours and the option to work remotely 2 days a week.
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Critical Mass is collaborative and creative, with a focus on fostering innovation and growth.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with the Talent Acquisition team
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Creative Director
- Job offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Copy-editing skills and attention to detail
- Project management and organizational skills
- Collaboration and communication skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Critical Mass' values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Showcase your portfolio or examples of your work, if applicable
- Prepare for behavioral and scenario-based interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure
ATS Keywords: Copy Editing, Project Management, Collaboration, Attention to Detail, Digital Production Tools, SEO Writing, AX Copy
ASSUMPTION: The application process at Critical Mass is designed to assess candidates' skills and cultural fit, with a focus on their ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Content management systems (CMS)
- Digital production tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, familiarity with relevant software and tools is essential for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Inspired: We are passionate about our work and the impact we make
- Collaborative: We work together to achieve greatness
- Curious: We are always learning and growing
- Courageous: We take risks and challenge the status quo
- Accountable: We take ownership of our work and our results
Work Style:
- Critical Mass values a collaborative and inclusive work environment
- The agency encourages open communication, active listening, and a growth mindset
- Employees are expected to take initiative, be proactive, and continuously improve their skills and knowledge
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment?
- Are you comfortable working with multiple teams and stakeholders to deliver projects on time and to a high standard?
- Do you have a strong attention to detail and a passion for editing and delivering well-crafted messaging?
- Are you comfortable working with digital production tools and learning new ones quickly?
ASSUMPTION: Critical Mass values a collaborative and inclusive work environment, with a focus on continuous learning and growth.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The fast-paced nature of the role may require working under tight deadlines and managing multiple priorities
- The role involves collaborating with various teams, which may require navigating different work styles and communication preferences
- The hybrid work arrangement may present challenges in maintaining a healthy work-life balance
- The role may require working on weekends or evenings to meet project deadlines
ASSUMPTION: While this role presents several opportunities for growth and development, it also comes with its own set of challenges that candidates should be prepared to face.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other copy editing roles, this position places a greater emphasis on project management and collaboration with various teams
- This role requires a higher level of experience and expertise than entry-level or junior copy editing positions
- As a mid-sized agency, Critical Mass offers opportunities for career growth and progression that may not be available at smaller agencies
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of copy editing and project management responsibilities, with opportunities for career growth and development within the company.
📝 Sample Projects
- Managing the copy workflow for a large-scale brand launch campaign, ensuring all assets are delivered on time and to a high standard
- Collaborating with a cross-functional team to develop and implement a content strategy for a major eCommerce platform
- Editing and optimizing copy for a series of digital advertising campaigns, with a focus on SEO and accessibility
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and the level of expertise required for this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe a typical day or week in this role?
- How does this role fit into the broader creative and production processes at Critical Mass?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how do you support your team members in overcoming them?
- How does Critical Mass approach professional development and growth opportunities for its employees?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does this role fit into that?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in and understanding of the role and the company.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Critical Mass careers page
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and scenario-based interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure
- If selected for an interview, be prepared to provide examples of your work and discuss your approach to copy editing and project management
- Follow up with the Talent Acquisition team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
