Executive Creative Director

Artion Agency; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A creative agency in Johannesburg is seeking an Executive Creative Director to build and lead their creative department. This hands-on leadership role focuses on shaping the agency's DNA, developing the creative vision, and overseeing high-value client work. Ideal candidates should have over 7 years of experience in creative leadership, a strong portfolio, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Hybrid/remote options available.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in senior creative or design leadership roles.
• Proven record of building and leading creative teams.
• Strong portfolio showcasing brand systems, campaigns, and digital work.

Responsibilities

• Build and scale Artion's in-house creative team.
• Set creative direction across all projects.
• Lead and execute creative work for high-value clients.

Skills

Leadership

Creative direction

Client management

Design execution

Team building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Design, Fine Arts, or related discipline

Tools

Modern design tools

Job description

Executive Creative Director

Location: Hybrid / Remote (South Africa-based preferred)

Reports To: CEO

Overview

Artion is looking for a hands‑on Executive Creative Director to build and lead our creative department from the ground up.

This is a leadership role for someone who wants to shape an agency’s DNA, develop the creative vision, hire the team, and set the bar for bold, high‑impact work.

You’ll work closely with the CEO to define our creative philosophy, lead client strategy, and build systems that let designers do their best work at scale.

This is not a maintenance role; it’s a builder’s role.

The ideal candidate will not only lead the creative team but also personally oversee and execute design work for Artion’s high‑value clients, ensuring our most strategic accounts receive top‑tier creative direction and hands‑on excellence.

What You’ll Do

Build and scale Artion’s in‑house creative team: hire, mentor, and develop designers, art directors, and content specialists.

Set the creative direction across all projects, ensuring conceptual strength, design precision, and consistency across touchpoints.

Personally lead and execute creative work for high‑value clients, producing standout design across brand, campaign, and digital platforms.

Create and refine internal processes to drive quality, speed, and scalability.

Collaborate directly with clients and internal teams to translate business goals into world‑class creative.

Oversee brand, campaign, and digital executions across multiple industries.

Champion experimentation and innovation by inspiring the team to push boundaries.

Foster a creative culture that balances imagination with discipline, creativity with accountability.

What You’ll Need

7+ years in senior creative or design leadership roles, ideally within a fast‑moving or startup‑style agency.

Proven record of building and leading creative teams.

A strong, diverse portfolio showcasing brand systems, campaigns, and digital design work.

The ability to personally deliver exceptional creative outputs while managing and inspiring a team.

Expert understanding of modern design tools, creative workflows, and multi‑channel storytelling.

Strong client‑facing presence; confident in pitching, presenting, and leading creative discussions.

Entrepreneurial mindset: thrives in lean environments, moves fast, and builds from scratch.

A background in marketing, advertising, or related fields is advantageous.

Bachelor’s degree in Design, Fine Arts, or a related discipline is preferred.