Content Editor

Dentsu Creative CPT (Pty) Ltd; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 540,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

Dentsu in Cape Town is seeking a Content Editor to lead the development, planning and delivery of magazine content across brand touchpoints. You will manage editorial leadership, content production and client partnerships to engage audiences and support business objectives.

Open to freelance or fixed-term arrangements, with potential for permanent employment subject to business needs. Collaboration with design, digital and production teams is essential to deliver high-quality content.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Journalism, Communications, Publishing, Languages, Media Studies, Arts or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in editorial, publishing, content marketing or magazine environments.
• Proven experience planning and delivering editorial content across print and digital platforms.
• Experience managing contributors, freelancers or editorial teams.
• Experience collaborating with clients and stakeholders.
• Experience overseeing content production processes and managing deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Editorial Leadership: Lead the development and execution of the magazine's editorial vision, ensuring alignment with the brand strategy, audience needs and client objectives.
• Drive monthly themes, editorial direction and content planning for each magazine issue.
• Ensure content is relevant, engaging, accurate and aligned with the brand's tone, voice and positioning.
• Identify opportunities to extend editorial themes, stories and campaigns across digital and social platforms.
• Provide editorial direction and feedback to writers, contributors, designers and content teams.
• Support and mentor junior editorial team members where required.
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on creativity, quality and continuous improvement.
• Lead editorial planning, ensure content deliverables align with production schedules and deadlines.
• Brief contributors, freelancers and internal teams, clearly defining content requirements and creative expectations.
• Review, edit and write content as required, ensuring all copy meets editorial standards.
• Liaise with cover personalities, publicists, agents and external stakeholders to facilitate interviews, photoshoots and content partnerships.
• Collaborate with Design to ensure cohesive editorial and visual direction.
• Partner with Production to monitor workflows and timely delivery of content.
• Maintain ongoing communication with creative and production teams regarding status, priorities and deadlines.
• Act as a key client contact for editorial content, building trusted relationships and ensuring content objectives are met.
• Collaborate with clients to align on editorial plans that meet audience needs and business objectives.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen audience loyalty through innovative storytelling and content experiences.
• Monitor consumer, media and cultural trends to ensure content remains relevant and competitive.
• Understand influencer ecosystems and opportunities for influencer-led collaborations, features and content partnerships.

Skills

Fluent English writing

Editorial judgment

Storytelling

Brand understanding

Project management

Leadership and coaching

Client relationship management

Attention to detail

Education

Journalism or Communications degree

Publishing or media studies diploma

Tools

Content management systems

Editorial calendars

Job description

The Content Editor is responsible for leading the development, planning and delivery of content across all brand touchpoints, with the magazine serving as the primary content platform. This role combines editorial leadership, brand stewardship, content management, innovation and client partnership to ensure the delivery of high-quality content that engages audiences, strengthens brand affinity and supports business objectives. The Content Editor oversees the conception, planning, creation, production and presentation of magazine content while identifying opportunities to extend content across digital platforms. Working closely with Copyediting, Design, Digital and Production teams and liaising with contributors and the client, the Content Editor ensures all content aligns with the brand strategy, audience needs and commercial goals.

Please note: Although this role might be posted as permanent, we are looking for someone who is open to freelance or fixed-term employment. Nature of employment subject to change based on business needs.

Key responsibilities

• Editorial Leadership Lead the development and execution of the magazine's editorial vision, ensuring alignment with the brand strategy, audience needs and client objectives.
• Drive the conception of monthly themes, editorial direction and content planning for each magazine issue.
• Ensure all content is relevant, engaging, accurate and aligned with the brand's tone, voice and positioning.
• Identify opportunities to extend editorial themes, stories and campaigns across digital and social platforms.
• Provide editorial direction and feedback to writers, contributors, designers and content teams.
• Support and mentor junior editorial team members where required.
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on creativity, quality and continuous improvement.

Content Development & Production Management

• Lead the editorial planning process, ensuring content deliverables are aligned with production schedules and deadlines.
• Brief contributors, freelancers and internal teams, clearly defining content requirements and creative expectations.
• Review, edit and write content as required, ensuring all copy meets editorial standards.
• Liaise with cover personalities, publicists, agents and external stakeholders to facilitate interviews, photoshoots and content partnerships.
• Collaborate closely with Design team to ensure a cohesive editorial and visual direction.
• Partner with Production teams to monitor workflows, resolve bottlenecks and ensure the timely delivery of content.
• Maintain ongoing communication with creative and production teams regarding project status, priorities and deadlines.

Client Relationship Management

• Act as a key client contact for editorial content, building trusted relationships and ensuring content objectives are met.
• Collaborate closely with clients to align on editorial plans that meet audience needs, broader business objectives and content marketing priorities.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen audience loyalty through innovative storytelling and content experiences.
• Monitor consumer, media and cultural trends to ensure content remains relevant and competitive.
• Understand influencer ecosystems and identify opportunities for influencer-led collaborations, features and content partnerships.

Requirements Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or diploma in Journalism, Communications, Publishing, Languages, Media Studies, Arts or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in editorial, publishing, content marketing or magazine environments.
• Proven experience planning and delivering editorial content across print and digital platforms.
• Experience managing contributors, freelancers or editorial teams.
• Experience collaborating with clients and stakeholders.
• Experience overseeing content production processes and managing deadlines.

Skills & Competencies

• Fluent in English with exceptional writing, editing and communication skills.
• Strong editorial judgment and understanding of storytelling.
• Excellent understanding of magazine publishing, audience development and content strategy.
• Strong understanding of fashion, lifestyle, culture and consumer trends.
• Ability to conceptualise compelling editorial themes across different media channels.
• Strong leadership, coaching and team management skills.
• Excellent relationship management abilities.
• Highly organised with project management and prioritisation skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of how content supports business objectives.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.

Location

Location: Cape Town

Brand

Brand: Dentsu Creative

Time Type

Time Type: Full time

Contract Type

Contract Type: Permanent

About dentsu

For over 120 years, innovation has been a core tenet of our offering - exploring new ways to reach, engage and nurture relationships with audiences. Together we drive a multiplier effect for clients at a global scale, through the development of Integrated Growth Solutions that are underpinned by our promise to clients: innovating to impact. Be a force for good. Sustainability is a vital part of our business and an important area of focus for our clients. We're leading the way - helping to build a more sustainable planet.

Dream loud. In this moment of transformation, we need our people to be fearless, embracing change and ambiguity, driven by the love for their work and excitement for the future.

Team without limits. We create opportunities for connection and collaboration between our colleagues and clients, building a sense of belonging and having some fun along the way.