Head Of Operations & Commercial

The Marketing Agency; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 500 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading creative marketing agency is seeking a Head of Operations & Commercial based in Johannesburg. The role involves overseeing commercial performance, operational efficiency, and team leadership. Candidates should possess a minimum of 5 years' experience in a marketing or creative field, ideally with luxury brands. Key responsibilities include managing client budgets, strengthening key relationships, and implementing efficient systems. This hybrid position offers competitive salary and growth opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary based on experience

Profit share

Commission on new clients

21 days annual leave

Employee discounts across client brands

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a marketing or creative role.
• Experience with luxury and cosmetics brands is a big plus.
• Proven operational leadership experience.
• Experience in driving commercial growth and overseeing P&L components.
• Johannesburg-based and willing to travel.

Responsibilities

• Oversee revenue, margins, forecasting, and profitability.
• Manage client campaign budgets end-to-end.
• Strengthen top-tier client relationships.
• Build and optimize agency-wide systems and processes.
• Lead the full team across disciplines.

Skills

Commercial oversight

Operational leadership

Client relationship management

Team leadership

Education

Degree in Business, Marketing, or related field

MBA or advanced business qualification

Job description

Location: Johannesburg (Hybrid : 3 days in office)

Salary: Competitive salary experience-dependent

Start Date: February / March

Reporting To: Board About tma

tma is a fast-growing creative marketing agency specialising in content creation, social media strategy, influencer management, eventing, PR, and graphic design.

We proudly partner with global and local brands including and not limited to: Sol de Janeiro, Hermès, Bvlgari, Chanel, and NARS.

Role Overview

The Head of Operations & Commercial is responsible for commercial performance, operational efficiency, delivery quality, and people leadership across the agency.

This role is hands‑on, fast‑paced, and high‑impact, ideal for someone who wants to help scale a growing creative business.

Working with luxury and cosmetics brands is a big plus.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Oversight of revenue, margins, forecasting, and profitability
• Management of client campaign budgets end‑to‑end
• Sales strategy, client acquisition, retention, and upsell
• Pricing, proposal development, and new revenue streams
• Managing and strengthening top‑tier client relationships
• Operations Building and optimising agency‑wide systems, processes, and workflows
• Overseeing daily business performance and delivery operations
• Resource planning, efficiency improvements, and capacity management
• Identifying and resolving operational bottlenecks before they Escalate
• Managing internal and external stakeholders
• Leading the full tma team across disciplines
• Setting KPIs, conducting performance reviews, and ensuring accountability
• Developing talent through coaching, training, and structured feedback
• Driving a culture of ownership, creativity, excellence, and results
• Managing recruitment, including hiring and role transitions
• Creating and implementing tma's growth strategy together with the Board
• Preparing monthly Executive Committee operational and commercial reports
• Supporting investor and funding conversations where relevant
• Support full revenue and margin management
• Oversee cash flow, budgeting, and forecasting
• Ensure profitability through strategic pricing and resource alignment
• Present monthly commercial performance updates to the Board
• Build and manage the commercial pipeline
• Drive acquisition, retention, and upsell initiatives
• Develop new offerings aligned with market needs
• Strengthen key client accounts and expand scopes
• Position tma as a strategic creative and social partner
• Operational Excellence & Delivery Oversight
• Own daily agency operations end‑to‑end
• Implement scalable systems, processes, and workflows
• Manage timelines, deliverables, and cross‑team workflow routing
• Monitor operational KPIs and introduce corrective actions
• Ensure consistency, speed, and quality across all functions
• Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team
• Set KPIs, manage performance reviews, and enforce accountability
• Reassign priorities and resources as business needs evolve
• Build a culture of high performance, agility, and ownership
• Develop internal talent and support career growth
• Strategic Leadership
• Translate the Board's vision into clear operational execution
• Guide organisational design and resourcing strategy
• Prepare monthly Executive Committee reports
• Contribute to investor and partner conversations
• Support long‑term strategic decision‑making

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a marketing, creative
• Working with luxury and cosmetics brands is a big plus.
• Proven operational leadership experience
• Experience driving commercial growth and overseeing P& L components
• Degree in Business, Marketing, or related field
• Johannesburg-based and willing to travel
• Valid driver's licence
• Preferred MBA or advanced business qualification

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Profit share
• Commission on new clients
• 21 days annual leave
• Hybrid working (3 days in office)
• Employee discounts across all client brands
• Full autonomy and authority in leading operations and commercial functions
• Opportunity to shape your future and help scale a growing creative agency

In Summary

This role is built for a strong commercial and operational leader ready to take ownership of tma's next phase of growth.

You will lead across operations, commercial strategy, people, delivery, and performance — with the opportunity to grow into one of the most influential roles in the business.

Apply now by emailing your CV to #J Ljbffr