Creative Director & Head of Studio

The Legends Agency; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A creative media studio is seeking a Creative Director & Head of Studio to lead their creative vision and oversee team operations. The ideal candidate will manage the creative process from idea to execution, foster a culture of innovation and mentorship, and stay current with social media trends. This hybrid role is perfect for a visionary leader with over 5 years of experience in a creative context.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a senior creative or studio leadership role, preferably within an agency or content-driven studio.
• Proven ability to lead the creative process from idea to execution.
• Deep knowledge of social media, content marketing, and digital storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Set and uphold the creative vision and tone for the studio.
• Lead ideation, concept development, and creative execution across campaigns.
• Collaborate closely with strategy and accounts to ensure ideas are insight-driven.

Skills

Leadership

Creativity

Social media fluency

Communication skills

Project management

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Project management tools

Job description

About the job Creative Director & Head of Studio

Creative Director & Head of Studio

Location: Johannesburg

Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid

A creative and social media studio driven by ideas, craft, and culture. Were looking for a Creative Director & Head of Studio a visionary creative thinker and highly organised leader to oversee our daily operations, lead creative excellence, and shape the direction of our output.

This is a hybrid role that requires balancing the demands of creative leadership, strategic thinking, team mentorship, and studio oversight. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, is fluent in the world of social media, and has a thirst for innovation, learning, and raising the bar.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and uphold the creative vision and tone for the studio, ensuring every piece of work is bold, strategic, and on-brand.
• Lead ideation, concept development, and creative execution across campaigns and platforms especially for social and digital. Guide multidisciplinary teams across design, copy, video, and motion offering both high-level direction and hands-on input.
• Pitch and present ideas to internal and external stakeholders with clarity and inspiration.
• Collaborate closely with strategy and accounts to ensure ideas are insight-driven and results-focused.
• Champion creative quality, originality, and effectiveness.
• Support the traffic team in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the creative studio, managing workflow, timelines, and priorities.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing, multi-skilled creative team.
• Cultivate a culture of learning, experimentation, and craft.
• Ensure the studio is equipped with the right tools, tech, and processes to support best-in-class work.
• Project & Process Oversight
• Maintain oversight of all studio projects from briefing to final delivery.
• Streamline internal processes to maximise efficiency and creative output.
• Oversee approvals, sign-offs, and quality control across all deliverables.
• Ensure integration of data and performance feedback into the creative process.
• Work hand-in-hand with strategy and account teams to align creative output with client needs and business objectives.
• Stay on top of platform trends, audience behaviours, and content formats especially within social.
• Research, test, and implement new tools, technologies, and creative approaches.

What You Bring

• 5+ years in a senior creative or studio leadership role, preferably within an agency or content-driven studio.
• Proven ability to lead the creative process from idea to execution across multiple formats (static, video, carousel, reels, etc.).
• Deep knowledge of social media, content marketing, and digital storytelling.
• Strong leadership skills: team development, mentorship, and motivation.
• Expertise in creative software (Adobe Creative Suite), project management tools, and emerging AI platforms.
• Impeccable attention to detail, taste, and craft.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Cool under pressure, solutions-oriented, and adaptable to fast-moving priorities.
• A growth mindset with a love of learning and constant improvement