Lead Content Designer

Application closing date: Tuesday, 13 October 2026 • 11:59pm, Canberra time

Estimated start date: Tuesday, 01 December 2026

Location of work: VIC

Working arrangements: A hybrid WFH arrangement (including remote working arrangements) will be considered on a case-by-case basis against the business requirements of the department and the needs of the immediate work area.

Contract duration: Until 30 June 2027

Contract extensions: Depending on requirements

Security clearance: Must be able to obtain Baseline clearance

Rates: $100 - $120 per hour (inc. super)

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is an Australian Government department responsible for employment, skills and training, and workplace relations policy and programs. It works to support employment opportunities, workforce participation, skills development, apprenticeships and fair, productive workplaces.

The Participant Content Team is responsible for creating and managing participant-facing content across Workforce Australia. We deliver clear, accessible and engaging information that helps participants understand their obligations, navigate employment services and access available support. Working at the intersection of policy, service delivery and digital channels, the team plays a critical role in improving participant experience and supporting the successful delivery of government employment programs.

Contractor staff support work on:
• Reforms to assessment and triaging for individuals in online services
• Enhancements to the search function and information architecture of Workforce Australia
• Digital Employment Fund streamlining
• Stream 3 trial
• Career mapping

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is looking for content designers and content experts to work on written digital content related to Workforce Australia. Workforce Australia is the Australian Government's national employment services program. It helps people find and keep work, access training, connect with employment providers, and search for jobs. It also supports businesses to recruit staff.

The Participant Content team designs and delivers content that helps millions of Australians looking for work. As part of the team, you will design, create, review and update Workforce Australia content across channels. The channels these roles will focus on are web and notification content. The department has web content contained within an unauthenticated and authenticated environments. As such we seek written content experts with skills in UX writing, web writing and communication writing. Additionally, we seek applications from those who can work from one of our offices in Australia’s major cities as part of a virtual team.

While the roles available focus on web and notification content, the team produces content for a range of mediums and channels including:

- WorkforceAustralia.gov.au website (public and authenticated content)
- Mobile app
- Digital assistant
- Notifications sent through email, SMS and mobile app.

As one of our content experts, you'll be a part of a high-performing team working to make a difference in people's lives.

Key duties and responsibilities:

- designing, planning and writing content that meets user needs and is easy to understand
- implementing best practice using style guides, content patterns, content strategies and policies
- developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders at all levels
- using evidence, data and research to improve content and user experience
- working with multidisciplinary teams in an agile project environment, and using Azure Dev Ops to manage work
- participating in workshops and planning events to develop requirements and features
- preparing documents, presentations and talking points
- working autonomously and as part of a team
- providing support to channel leads, director and mentoring less experienced staff line management and leadership responsibilities.
- manage many content projects at the same time track and communicate progress
- identify and manage risks
- problem solve
- meet deadlines

Technical skills required but not limited to:

- Experience with content production and analysis software such as GatherContent, Google Analytics and Google Search Console (desirable).
- Experience with html.

Essential criteria

- Experience in writing, editing, structuring, and maintaining complex content that meets user needs
- Excellent written and verbal communication, consultation and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to apply Australian Government and department style guides such as WCAG 2.1, Government Style Manual and Digital Service Standards
- Experience in providing advice to management and the senior Executives about content design
- Demonstrated experience as a professional web writer/content designer producing written content for websites

Desirable criteria

- Tertiary qualifications in relevant communications field.
- Qualifications and or training in writing, content design, online accessibility or user experience (UX) design.
- Previous experience in system related communications with a strategic communication approach to content
- Experience in developing information architecture and content structures that improve user experience

HOW TO APPLY

Please provide an updated CV (a maximum of 3-5 pages) to reflect your suitability to the role based on the job description. You will also need to complete responses to the essential and desirable criteria which is no more than 5000 characters for each response. Your application will be reviewed based on ability to demonstrate, or potential to develop, the capabilities required.