Creative Lead (JHB/CPT)
Media/Marketing/Sales
Johannesburg – Gauteng – South Africa
ENVIRONMENT:
LEAD the creative vision and strategy for the brand of a leading Private Academic Institution seeking to fill the role of a Creative Lead. You will support marketing objectives such as student acquisition, retention, alumni engagement, and corporate partnerships through creative leadership, brand storytelling, and multi-channel campaigns. This position plays a key role in shaping the overall visual and conceptual direction of marketing efforts, bridging the gap between strategy and design execution. Applicants will need a Master’s/Honours Degree in Graphic Design/Marketing/Fine Arts, or a related field with 8+ years of work experience in a Senior Creative role, ideally in Higher education or a student-focused industry. You must have expert proficiency with Figma & Adobe Creative Suite. A portfolio demonstrating expertise in brand storytelling, digital design, and multimedia content will be expected.
DUTIES:
Brand Vision –
- Define and oversee the evolution of the institution’s brand identity, ensuring alignment with core values.
- Collaborate with the Head of Marketing to establish creative strategies for student acquisition, retention, and engagement.
- Lead the creation of compelling brand narratives targeted at students, parents, educators, and industry stakeholders.
Creative Leadership –
- Conceptualize, plan, and execute multi-channel campaigns (digital, social media, print, video, experiential).
- Act as the quality gatekeeper for creative outputs, ensuring adherence to the brand guidelines.
- Foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the Creative team.
- Implement streamlined processes and workflows for efficient project delivery.
Student and Community Engagement –
- Lead creative projects focused on student engagement, such as storytelling campaigns, campus events, and alumni spotlights.
- Develop engaging content formats to support student journey milestones.
- Collaborate with the sports and Student Life teams for creative integration in student-centric initiatives.
Cross-functional Collaboration –
- Collaborate with Content Strategy, Digital, and Campaign teams for integrated marketing campaigns.
- Work with academic, admissions, and student experience teams to ensure the brand narrative is maintained in student-facing materials.
- Liaise with external agencies to supplement internal resources for large-scale projects.
Outputs –
- Stay updated on industry trends and experiment with emerging tools (e.g., AR, AI-driven design, interactive content).
- Conduct brainstorming sessions to generate fresh ideas for engaging target audiences.
Quality and Brand Integrity –
- Develop and maintain comprehensive brand guidelines.
- Approve creative deliverables across various platforms (social media, email, video, print).
- Continuously refine creative outputs based on feedback and performance metrics.
Project Management and Reporting –
- Manage resources efficiently for maximum campaign impact.
- Set and track KPIs for creative outputs and campaign performance.
- Provide regular updates to senior leadership with progress reports and campaign analysis.
REQUIREMENTS:
Qualifications –
- Honours Degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, Fine Arts, or a related field (Master’s Degree preferred).
Experience/Skills –
- 8+ Years of experience in a Senior Creative role, ideally in Higher education or a student-focused industry.
- Proven track record of leading and developing Creative teams in fast-paced, innovative environments.
- Exceptional portfolio demonstrating expertise in brand storytelling, digital design, and multimedia content.
- Expert in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Figma, and video editing tools.
- Strong understanding of digital and traditional marketing channels, including social media, email, print and video.
- Experience in managing large-scale creative projects from conception to execution.
- Project Management skills.
- Well-developed writing and editing skills.
- Campaign Management skills.
- Trend awareness.
- Good understanding of campaign budgeting to optimise spend.
- High-level campaign budgeting and financial optimisation.
- Experience in reporting and measuring brand equity.
ATTRIBUTES:
- Leadership.
- Initiative and responsibility.
- Constructive teamwork.
- Effective communication (verbal and written).
- Analysis and judgment / problem solving.
- Innovative and change / Continuous learning.
- Systematic approach (planning and organising).
- Strategic thinking.
- Adaptability.
- Systems thinking approach to marketing.
- Visionary leadership and strategic thinking.
- High-level problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.