Staff Content Designer

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Staff Content Designer

🔹 Company: Workiva

🔹 Location: Ames, Iowa, United States (Remote OK)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Software Development

🔹 Date Posted: May 29, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Strategic content planning and execution
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams (UX, Product, Support, Marketing)
• Creating and maintaining written technical content for Workiva products
• Defining and documenting platform-wide content standards
• Mentoring and developing other content producers

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of independence and self-motivation, as well as strong collaboration skills to work effectively with various teams.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and execute content strategy for Workiva products and solutions

✅ Collaborate with UX, Product, Support, Marketing, and other SMEs to create world-class user experience

✅ Manage content lifecycle for multiple products and solutions, ensuring consistency and clarity

✅ Define and document platform-wide content standards and naming conventions

✅ Follow audience-centered and iterative methods to understand content needs

✅ Anticipate and plan for future content needs for large projects based on company priorities

✅ Deliver outstanding documentation, user assistance, and product copy

✅ Assist internal teams with content and writing requests as needed

✅ Build content and writing skills of other content producers through feedback and development opportunities

✅ Participate in recruiting, hiring, and developing team members

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, content creation, and team leadership, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: BA/BS in Technical Communication, English, Digital Media, Human-Computer Interaction, or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience: 6+ years in software technical writing or product documentation

Required Skills:

• Proven understanding of content strategy and its influence on user experience
• Experience with web or software applications and creating technical content for end users
• Familiarity with Lean UX/Agile environment
• Portfolio or samples of previous work

Preferred Skills:

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Self-motivated with strong propensity for action, results, and continuous improvement
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and manage multiple processes simultaneously
• Ability to negotiate, collaborate, and influence involved stakeholders
• Ability to provide mentorship, vision, and skill leadership to other writers
• Uncanny attention to detail and customer focus
• Master's degree preferred

ASSUMPTION: Given the strategic nature of this role, candidates should have a strong understanding of content strategy and its impact on user experience, as well as proven experience in technical writing or a related field.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $129,000.00 - $207,000.00 USD per year

Benefits:

• Discretionary bonus typically paid annually
• Restricted Stock Units granted at time of hire
• 401(k) match and comprehensive employee benefits package

Working Hours: Full-time (up to 10% travel)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the company's stated range for this role in the US. Actual offers may vary based on location, skills, and experience.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Workiva operates in the Software Development industry, focusing on government reporting, internal controls, and enterprise risk management. The company helps organizations streamline complex reporting and disclosure challenges by connecting data and teams on a single, secure, and audit-ready platform.

Company Size: Workiva has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Founded: Workiva was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Ames, Iowa, with additional offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Company Description:

• Workiva is on a mission to power transparent reporting for a better world
• The company builds and delivers the world’s leading cloud platform for assured integrated reporting
• Workiva's platform simplifies the most complex reporting and disclosure challenges by streamlining processes, connecting data and teams, and ensuring consistency

Company Specialties:

• Government Reporting
• Internal Controls
• Section 16
• SEDAR Reporting
• SOX
• SEC Reporting
• CCAR/Stress Tests
• Enterprise Risk Management
• Environmental Health and Safety
• ORSA
• RRP
• Sustainability
• Board Reporting
• Investor Relations
• Managerial Reporting
• CASS
• Statutory Reporting
• Regulatory Reporting
• Internal Audit Management
• Financial Close Reporting
• Berichtspflichten
• ESEF-Berichterstattung
• Geschäftsberichte
• Internes Kontrollmanagement
• Regulatorisches Berichtswesen
• SEC-Berichterstattung
• Reporting annuel
• Gestion des Contrôles Internes
• Reporting réglementaire
• Reporting statutaire
• ESEF Reporting
• Statutory Reporting
• Regulatory Reporting
• Annual Reporting
• ESG
• and CSRD

Company Website: http://www.workiva.com

ASSUMPTION: Workiva's extensive list of specialties reflects the company's broad focus on various aspects of reporting and compliance, indicating a need for versatile and adaptable content producers.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring a high degree of expertise and strategic thinking in content design and management.

Reporting Structure: The Staff Content Designer will report directly to the Content Design Manager and collaborate with various cross-functional teams, including UX, Product, Support, and Marketing.

Work Arrangement: This role is Remote OK, with up to 10% travel required.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to mentor and develop other content producers
• Opportunities to collaborate with various teams and influence the overall user experience
• Possibility to participate in recruiting, hiring, and developing team members

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities through mentorship, collaboration, and potential involvement in hiring and development processes.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Workiva has multiple office locations, with this role being Remote OK and allowing employees to work from any location within the United States.

Office Location(s): Ames, Iowa; Bozeman, Montana; Charleston, South Carolina; Scottsdale, Arizona

Geographic Context:

• Ames, Iowa: Home to Workiva's headquarters, Ames offers a small-town atmosphere with a growing tech industry
• Bozeman, Montana: Known for its outdoor recreation and close proximity to Yellowstone National Park
• Charleston, South Carolina: A historic city with a vibrant arts and culture scene, located on the East Coast
• Scottsdale, Arizona: A desert city with a subtropical climate, offering numerous golf courses and resorts

Work Schedule: Full-time, with up to 10% travel required

ASSUMPTION: The Remote OK nature of this role allows for greater flexibility in work-life balance, while the travel requirement ensures that employees remain connected to the company's various offices and teams.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume submission
• Phone or video screen with a member of the Talent Acquisition team
• Technical assessment and/or case study
• On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and other team members
• Final decision and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Content strategy and planning skills
• Technical writing and editing abilities
• Collaboration and communication skills
• Adaptability and problem-solving skills
• Alignment with Workiva's company values and culture

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Include a portfolio or samples of previous work that demonstrate your technical writing and content strategy skills
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving abilities and collaboration skills
• Research Workiva's company values and be ready to discuss how your personal values align with the company's

ATS Keywords: Content Strategy, Technical Writing, User Experience, Collaboration, Mentorship, Agile Environment, Organizational Skills, Attention to Detail

ASSUMPTION: Workiva's interview process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit, with a focus on collaboration and adaptability.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Content Management Systems (CMS)
• Technical Writing Software (e.g., MadCap Flare, Adobe FrameMaker)
• Project Management Tools (e.g., JIRA, Asana, Trello)
• Collaboration Tools (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the team's preferences and the company's ongoing projects. However, strong proficiency in content management systems and technical writing software is essential.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Integrity
• Customer Focus
• Innovation
• Collaboration
• Accountability
• Transparency

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on continuous improvement
• Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork
• Results-driven, with a focus on delivering high-quality content that meets the needs of users and stakeholders
• Adaptable and flexible, with a willingness to take on new challenges and learn from feedback

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you align with Workiva's core values, particularly in terms of integrity, customer focus, and innovation?
• Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with a strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork?
• Do you have a proven track record of delivering high-quality content that meets the needs of users and stakeholders, even under tight deadlines?

ASSUMPTION: Workiva's company values and work style emphasize collaboration, innovation, and customer focus, requiring candidates to demonstrate strong communication skills, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple content projects simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and time management
• Collaborating with various teams and stakeholders, necessitating excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Keeping up with industry trends and best practices in content strategy and technical writing, demanding continuous learning and adaptation
• Balancing the need for consistency and standardization with the need for flexibility and adaptability in content creation

ASSUMPTION: The Staff Content Designer role presents unique challenges related to project management, collaboration, and continuous learning, requiring candidates to possess strong organizational skills, adaptability, and excellent communication skills.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike traditional technical writing roles, this position requires a strong strategic mindset and the ability to influence cross-functional teams
• Compared to other content design roles, this position offers greater opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and collaboration with various teams
• Career progression in this role may lead to management or senior content strategy positions, with potential opportunities to specialize in specific content domains or industries

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for growth and specialization, setting it apart from traditional technical writing or content design positions.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive content strategy for a new product launch, including user assistance, product copy, and digital adoption assets
• Collaborating with UX designers and product managers to create and maintain consistent and clear content for a suite of enterprise software applications
• Defining and documenting platform-wide content standards and naming conventions, ensuring consistency across all content types and channels

ASSUMPTION: The sample projects listed reflect the strategic and collaborative nature of the Staff Content Designer role, requiring candidates to demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively with various teams.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the content strategy process for one of your recent projects, and how you collaborated with other teams to execute it?
• How do you approach defining and maintaining content standards and naming conventions for a large-scale software platform?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to negotiate or influence involved stakeholders to achieve a desired outcome for a content project?
• How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices in content strategy and technical writing, and how do you apply this knowledge to your work?
• Can you describe a situation where you had to balance the need for consistency and standardization with the need for flexibility and adaptability in content creation?

ASSUMPTION: The interview questions listed are designed to assess candidates' problem-solving abilities, collaboration skills, and adaptability, with a focus on real-world examples and industry-specific knowledge.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role, with a focus on content strategy, technical writing, and collaboration
• Prepare a portfolio or samples of previous work that demonstrate your technical writing and content strategy skills
• Research Workiva's company values and be ready to discuss how your personal values align with the company's
• Follow up with the Talent Acquisition team within one week of submitting your application, if you have not heard back

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.