Conceptual Creative Director

Publicis Groupe Africa; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Machine_ in Johannesburg seeks a Creative Director to lead a multi-talented studio, guiding teams to deliver integrated concepts that exceed client briefs.

You will be a thought leader, craft-led and strategically driven, with a strong view on South Africa's pop culture and digital platforms. The role requires a track record of TTL and digital campaigns and a passion for innovation.

Qualifications

• Must have 10+ years’ experience in creative leadership.
• Highly conceptual with at least 5 projects demonstrated.
• Demonstrate exceptional strategic thinking with 3 examples.
• Led the conceptualisation and execution of TTL campaigns and pure digital campaigns (4+ examples).
• Strong understanding of digital platforms.
• Ability to use multimedia programs (editing/recording).
• Track record of international and local awards.
• At least 1 international and 1 local gold medal.
• Experience resolving conflicts.
• Knowledge of current and emerging technologies & platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead agency/client brainstorms to set KPI’s, direction and ways of working.
• Drive integration with emphasis on digital platforms.
• Scope, plan and manage the creative process.
• Manage and mentor creative teams.
• Collaborate with Strategists, Developers, Media and Accounts for cohesive integration.
• Champion innovation on every project.
• Active role in campaign planning.
• Real-time optimization with strategy and media.
• Participate in pitches for new business.
• Define overall campaign direction.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Generate and sell ideas to clients and team.
• Mock up creative ideas.
• Create across multiple channels.
• Produce creative elements against deliverables.
• Lead brainstorms and conceptualisation.
• Oversee craft across writeups and design.
• Prepare client presentations and new selling ideas.
• Attend client briefings and presentations.
• Demonstrate thought leadership through industry trends.

Skills

Leadership skills

Strategic thinking

Presentation skills

Time management

Problem solving

Communication skills

Tools

Keynote / PowerPoint

Facebook Creative Hub

Job description

Machine_ is a creative solutions agency represented across Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, and is home to over 75 adventurous minds. At Machine_ we don’t believe that intuition and gut feel are enough. That’s why everything we do starts with an insight. Our team of experts uses these insights to create impactful and accountable solutions that touch consumers at every point in their connected world. Machine_ is part of Publicis Groupe, one of the fastest‑growing global networks. Machine’s mantra, Never Afraid, underpins our values of doing the right thing, being curious, solution‑orientated and at its core ‘giving a s**t!’. Living this mantra daily helps grow our clients’ businesses and these are the values we look for when recruiting new talent. The right personality is just as important as the right experience. We’re here to work hard and have fun while doing it.

Overview

As a Creative Director you will help lead our passionate, multi‑talented studio, guiding all members to deliver exceptional, integrated concepts that exceed client briefs and expectations. A Creative Director is a thought leader within the agency, so they can expect to be craft‑led, strategically driven, and platform‑neutral conceptual thinkers with a desire to transform brands by creating beautiful, intuitive, and human‑centred products and experiences. The individual must be tuned into all aspects of South African popular culture and the platforms and media it plays in, as well as have a strong point of view on what it takes to win in this space.

What you’ll do everyday

• You will lead agency/client brainstorms & workshops to determine KPI’s, strategic direction and set ways of working to maintain client relationships
• Drive integration, with weighting on digital platforms
• Scope, plan & manage the creative process on projects
• Manage & mentor creative teams
• Work with other disciplines (Strategists, Developers, Media, Accounts, etc.) to ensure cohesive team integration, and alignment with broader business objectives
• Be a champion for innovation on every project you touch
• Play an active role in campaign planning
• Drive real‑time optimisation of the work in partnership with strategy and media
• Participate in pitches for new business
• Define the direction for overall campaigns
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Generate ideas and sell them into clients and other members of the team
• Mock up creative ideas
• Create across multiple channels
• Consistently produce creative elements against a deliverables list
• Lead brainstorms & conceptualisation
• Oversee the craft. Whether it be the writing, design of an idea etc.
• Compile presentations for clients/figure out new ways of selling
• Attend client briefings & presentations
• Demonstrate thought leadership by keeping updated on industry trends

Qualifications

OPERATIONAL KPI’S

• Must have 10+ years’ experience
• Highly conceptual individual (must demonstrate with at least 5 projects)
• Demonstrate exceptional strategic thinking (provide 3 examples)
• Must have led the conceptualisation and execution of TTL campaigns and pure digital campaigns (show minimum of 4 examples)
• Must demonstrate an understanding of digital platforms
• Must demonstrate an ability to use multimedia programmes (editing, recording etc.)
• Track record of winning international and local awards i.e. Cannes, One Show, Loeries, Clios, Bookmarks etc.
• Show at least 1 international and 1 local gold medals
• Demonstrate how you’ve previously dealt with conflict
• In‑depth working knowledge of existing and emerging technologies & platforms (advantageous)

BUSINESS KPI’s

• Must demonstrate examples of leadership skills & problem solving
• A strong understanding of best practice interaction and visual design principles
• Must be able to oversee 7-8 projects, or work on one sizable and two small‑size projects at any one time with oversight
• Have the ability to attend every review on a project with new 3 ideas

THE PERSON

• Good understanding of influencer, mobile, podcast, out‑of‑home, guerrilla, activations and direct marketing
• Great time management
• Demonstrate ability to work under immense pressure & meet tight deadlines
• Adept problem‑solving skills
• Strong communication skills with ability to provide rationales for creative choices made
• Strong presentation skills
• Able to work with team members & delegate effectively
• Understand the client’s business requirements, and understand how our services should be applied to solve business problem
• Sell an idea or campaign internally and externally

WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THESE TOOLS

• Keynote / PowerPoint
• Facebook Creative Hub (advantageous)

Publics Groupe is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and prohibits any forms of discrimination or harassment. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees in line with our Employment Equity Plan. All appointments will be based on qualifications, experience and best fit but preference will be given to all affirmative action candidates or designated groups.