📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Staff Content Designer, Core Experiences
🔹 Company: Gusto, Inc.
🔹 Location: Multiple locations (Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA; New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; Seattle, WA; Toronto, Ontario, CAN - Remote)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (2-3 days per week in the office)
🔹 Category: Design
🔹 Date Posted: April 3, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Yes, with office requirements in specific locations
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Defining and leading the content practice across the platform team
- Partnering with cross-functional teams to create cohesive user experiences
- Owning content UI practices and setting the direction for content involvement in product development
- Working with data scientists, engineers, and other teams to understand and influence data modeling and APIs
- Shipping customer-facing UI content, content hierarchies, user flows, taxonomies, and information architectures
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in content design, with experience in platform UX and systems-oriented design. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of improving content quality and team skills.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Proactively gather context on product roadmaps and prioritize initiatives for maximum impact
✅ Partner with data scientists and engineers to understand and influence data modeling and APIs
✅ Ship customer-facing UI content, content hierarchies, user flows, taxonomies, and information architectures
✅ Collaborate with design leaders to set UX direction at the feature and product level
✅ Work with app teams to ensure consistency in communication across the product
✅ Support cross-functional teams in refining their UI content and learning basic content design skills
✅ Define and document platform-wide content standards and naming conventions
✅ Champion the content design practice
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and hands-on content design. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working independently and in a team environment.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field) or equivalent experience
Experience: 5-10 years of experience in content design, with a focus on platform UX and systems-oriented design
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in content design, with a strong portfolio showcasing high-quality work
- Experience with platform UX and systems-oriented design
- Ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with Gusto's product suite or similar HR and payroll software
- Fluency in multiple languages (written and spoken)
- Experience with accessibility standards and best practices
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a comprehensive content toolkit, including information architecture, UX design, and evaluative research. They should also have experience with platform work and be able to demonstrate a high quality bar for customer experience.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $139,000 - $199,000 per year (Denver and most remote locations), $179,000 - $221,000 per year (Seattle, San Francisco, and New York)
Benefits:
- Health Insurance
- 401(k)
- Equity Compensation
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with office requirements of 2-3 days per week (or more depending on role) in specific locations
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level and location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including candidate experience and expertise.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Gusto operates in the HR technology and software industry, focusing on payroll, benefits, and HR services for small businesses.
Company Size: Gusto is a mid-sized company with 1,001-5,000 employees, providing ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Gusto was founded in 2011 and has since grown to serve more than 400,000 businesses nationwide.
Company Description:
- Gusto provides a modern, online people platform that helps small businesses take care of their teams
- The company offers full-service payroll, health insurance, 401(k)s, expert HR, and team management tools
- Gusto is committed to creating a world where work empowers a better life, both for its employees and the small businesses it serves
Company Specialties:
- Compliance
- Payroll
- Human resources
- Benefits
Company Website: https://gusto.com
ASSUMPTION: Gusto's focus on small businesses and its comprehensive suite of HR tools make it an attractive option for job seekers looking to make a meaningful impact in the HR tech industry.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior level, offering opportunities for growth and leadership within the content design team.
Reporting Structure: The staff content designer will report directly to the head of content design and work closely with cross-functional teams, including product design, product management, and engineering.
Work Arrangement: This role is hybrid, with office requirements of 2-3 days per week (or more depending on role) in specific locations.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a leadership role within the content design team
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives
- Chance to gain experience in a fast-growing, dynamic industry
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be eager to take on new challenges and grow within the role and the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Gusto has physical office spaces in Denver, San Francisco, and New York City, with remote work options available for some roles.
Office Location(s): Gusto's offices are located in the following cities:
- Denver, CO
- San Francisco, CA
- New York, NY
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Chicago, IL
- Los Angeles, CA
- Miami, FL
- Seattle, WA
- Toronto, Ontario, CAN (Remote)
Geographic Context:
- Denver, CO: Known for its outdoor recreation and cultural scene
- San Francisco, CA: A major tech hub with a diverse cultural landscape
- New York, NY: A global financial and cultural center
- Atlanta, GA: A major transportation hub with a thriving arts and culture scene
- Austin, TX: Known for its live music scene and tech industry growth
- Chicago, IL: A major financial and cultural center with a rich history
- Los Angeles, CA: A global entertainment and cultural hub
- Miami, FL: A vibrant city known for its beaches and nightlife
- Seattle, WA: A tech hub with a focus on sustainability and outdoor recreation
- Toronto, Ontario, CAN: A multicultural city with a strong tech industry
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with office requirements of 2-3 days per week (or more depending on role) in specific locations
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a hybrid environment and be open to occasional travel to Gusto's offices.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with a member of the talent acquisition team
- Technical assessment or case study
- Behavioral interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the head of content design or another senior leader
- Offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Content design skills and portfolio
- Platform UX and systems-oriented design experience
- Collaboration and communication skills
- Problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Alignment with Gusto's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
- Include a link to your portfolio or a PDF attachment showcasing your content design work
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to content design and how you've approached challenges in previous roles
- Research Gusto's product suite and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the company's mission
ATS Keywords: Content Design, Platform UX, Systems-Oriented Design, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Customer Experience, Product Development, Content Quality, Team Leadership
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be proactive, detail-oriented, and able to navigate the application process with ease.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Figma or similar design tools
- Content management systems (e.g., Contentful, Strapi, or similar)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira, or similar)
- Collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or similar)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable using a variety of tools and technologies to streamline their work and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Empower small businesses and their employees
- Create a delightful, intuitive user experience
- Be customer-obsessed
- Act with integrity and respect
- Take ownership and be accountable
- Collaborate and build together
- Embrace continuous learning and growth
Work Style:
- Collaborative and cross-functional
- Data-driven and user-centered
- Agile and adaptable
- Focused on results and impact
- Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Gusto's mission to empower small businesses and their employees?
- How do you approach creating a delightful, intuitive user experience for customers?
- How do you balance customer obsession with data-driven decision-making?
- How do you collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including designers, engineers, and product managers?
- How do you approach continuous learning and growth in your role and career?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be a strong cultural fit for Gusto, with a passion for the company's mission and values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders, including small business owners, employees, and internal teams
- Working with a large and complex product suite, with many moving parts and dependencies
- Managing a hybrid work environment, with both in-person and remote collaboration
- Navigating a fast-growing company, with evolving priorities and expectations
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be adaptable, resilient, and able to thrive in a dynamic and sometimes challenging work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a senior content designer or staff content designer role in other companies, but with a focus on platform UX and systems-oriented design
- Compared to other roles in the HR tech industry, this role offers a unique opportunity to work on a comprehensive suite of HR tools for small businesses
- Career path comparison: This role offers opportunities for growth into leadership positions within the content design team or other related roles within Gusto
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be interested in the unique aspects of this role and how it aligns with their career goals.
📝 Sample Projects
- Redesigning the onboarding experience for new users, with a focus on platform-wide consistency and ease of use
- Developing a content strategy for Gusto's benefits platform, ensuring a seamless user experience across multiple products and services
- Creating a comprehensive content style guide and tone of voice for Gusto's HR and payroll tools, ensuring consistency across the platform
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience working on similar projects and be able to provide specific examples of their approach and results.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the content design process at Gusto and how it integrates with other teams?
- How does Gusto approach accessibility and inclusivity in its content design?
- Can you provide an example of a content design challenge you faced in a previous role and how you approached it?
- How does Gusto support the growth and development of its content design team members?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the content design team at Gusto, and how can this role help address them?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be curious, engaged, and eager to learn more about the role and the company.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through Gusto's careers page
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
- Include a link to your portfolio or a PDF attachment showcasing your content design work
- Prepare for a phone or video screen, technical assessment or case study, behavioral interview, and final interview
- Follow up with the hiring manager or talent acquisition team after your interview to express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
