Digital Marketing Officer

smartstart; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 680,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Provident Fund

Medical Aid

Job summary

SmartStart is seeking a creative and data-driven Digital Marketing Lead to execute our digital strategy across web, social, email, and CRM while growing our online community in Johannesburg.

You will coordinate campaigns, manage content, analyse performance, and collaborate with Brand and IT teams to ensure accurate, timely, and engaging messaging across channels. 3+ years in design/digital marketing preferred.

Qualifications

• Qualification in graphic and digital design (non-negotiable).
• 3+ years in design with digital marketing experience.
• Experience in brand application and stakeholder engagement.
• Nice-to-have: Project management and UX experience.

Responsibilities

• Execute national digital campaigns across owned and paid channels.
• Build campaign assets and schedules with Comms and Design.
• Manage social media communities and respond to comments.
• Update website content with cross-functional teams.
• Monitor analytics and dashboards to inform decisions.
• Build newsletters, emails, and SMS/WhatsApp messaging.
• Segment audiences in Zoho CRM and manage data transfers.
• Provide insights and run A/B tests to improve performance.
• Monitor brand monitoring and online reputational risk.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners.

Skills

Digital campaign planning

Social media management

Content creation

CRM administration

Analytics & dashboards

Conversion optimisation

Graphic & digital design

Project management

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Graphic and digital design degree

Tools

Zoho CRM

Job description

Purpose

Execute SmartStart’s digital marketing strategy across web, social and email; manage community engagement on digital platforms; use analytics to drive growth; and support brand monitoring and digital risk management.

Key Responsibilities

• Digital Campaign Execution · Implement national digital campaigns across SmartStart’s owned and paid channels (website, CRM, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn).
• Build and manage campaign assets and schedules aligned with campaign plans in collaboration with Comms and Design.
• Community Management · Manage social media platforms, community groups and digital communities (practitioners, parents, supporters) in collaboration with call centre team.
• Respond to comments and queries in line with brand tone and escalation protocols.
• Flag issues and contribute to knowledge base and management discussions.
• Website & CRM · Update and maintain website content, working with IT, Brand Marketing Manager, Network Communications Manager and Communications Manager to ensure fresh, accurate content aligned with strategy.
• Regularly check links and monitor website analytics to inform decision making.
• Build and send newsletters, email campaigns and messaging on SMS and WhatsApp to selected audiences.
• Manage contact lists and segmentation on Zoho CRM.
• Manage data transfers with Programme/IT team as required.
• Support journey building and messaging for Network Communications.
• Support journey building and messaging for Ecosystem and funder communications.
• Analytics, Insights & Optimization · Track KPIs across digital platforms (reach, engagement, conversions).
• Produce regular dashboards and insights to inform strategy and content.
• A/B test content and formats to improve performance.
• Manage promotion and advertising budget for digital campaigns.
• Brand Monitoring & Risk · Monitor online sentiment and mentions of SmartStart.
• Support development and roll‑out of digital brand guidelines and training.
• Flag and manage reputational risks online with Brand Marketing Manager and Communications Manager.
• Check 3rd party mentions and content pages regularly for required updates.

Requirements

• Decision-Making Authority · Decisions this role can make independently Brand design application.

Key Relationships

• Internal stakeholders (teams, departments, levels).
• Event Manager, Head of Societal Communications; Communications Manager; Network Communications Manager; Brand Marketing Manager, Heads of Departments, Chiefs.
• External stakeholders (partners, funders, government, communities).
• Partners, suppliers, regional contacts.

Qualifications

• Minimum Required Qualifications (non-negotiable) Qualification in graphic and digital design.
• Advantageous / Nice-to-Have Qualifications Project Management, UX Experience.
• Minimum Years of Experience 3+ years in design.
• Type of Experience Required (industries, contexts) Design, brand application.
• Advantageous / Nice-to-Have Experience Stakeholder engagement, UX, Digital Design.

Key behaviours

• Proactive, self-motivated and accountable.
• Collaborative and audience-centred.
• Curious, adaptable and committed to continuous learning.
• Responsive, professional and tactful.
• Detail-oriented.
• Able to work independently while escalating issues appropriately.

Skills

• Digital campaign planning, execution and optimisation.
• Social media and online community management.
• Content creation, copywriting and scheduling.
• CRM administration, database management and audience segmentation.
• Digital analytics, dashboard preparation and performance reporting.
• A/B testing and conversion optimisation Paid media coordination and budget monitoring.
• Graphic and digital design, photo editing and visual storytelling.
• Project management.
• Stakeholder and supplier coordination.

Competencies

• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Analytical thinking and data-informed decision-making.
• Planning and organising.
• Problem-solving and sound judgement.
• Customer and community orientation.
• Data accuracy, confidentiality and responsible information management.
• Awareness of digital safeguarding, privacy and reputational risk.
• Ability to translate strategy into practical digital activities.

Benefits

• Provident Fund
• Medical Aid