Lead Creative Strategist / Copywriter

Make It Good; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading creative agency in Johannesburg is seeking a Lead Creative Strategist / Copywriter to bridge data and emotion. This role involves crafting impactful campaigns, translating insights into narratives, and mentoring teams. Ideal candidates should have 6-10 years of relevant experience, a strong copywriting background, and excellent storytelling skills. This position supports meaningful projects with leading global brands and offers a fully in-office work model.

Benefits

Profit share after 6 months

Growth opportunities

Work with leading global brands

Qualifications

• 6–10 years' experience in creative strategy or copywriting.
• Strong background in persuasive writing.
• Deep understanding of cultural trends and consumer behaviour.

Responsibilities

• Lead creative strategy for campaigns across Africa.
• Translate insights into powerful narratives.
• Craft compelling campaign copy across various formats.

Skills

Creative strategy

Copywriting

Understanding of consumer behaviour

Storytelling

Presentation skills

Collaboration

Organisational skills

Job description

Location & Compensation

Johannesburg (Bryanston). Work model: Fully in office. Salary: Market-related.

Why you'd want to work here...

• Award-winning, impact-driven agency working across Africa
• Work with leading global brands on campaigns that drive real social and business results
• Exposure to strategic, creative, and executional development across multiple industries
• Real growth opportunities — strong performers move up fast
• Passionate, hands‑on team where ideas are valued and ownership is encouraged
• Profit share - once you've been with the business for 6 months (half paid out in Dec, quarter in April and another quarter in June)

About our client

Our client is an award-winning, pan-African, through‑the‑line agency making real impact across experiential marketing, activations, PR, corporate communications, and digital. Their work drives purpose, behaviour change, and brand love across the continent — always blending creativity with measurable social and commercial outcomes.

Role

They’re looking for a Lead Creative Strategist / Copywriter who can bridge data, insight, and emotion — someone who’s just as comfortable unpacking a complex brief as they are crafting the line that brings it all to life. This is a pivotal role that combines creative strategy, storytelling, and hands‑on copywriting to drive high‑impact campaigns from idea to execution.

What the job involves...

• Leading creative strategy for major through‑the‑line and BTL campaigns across Africa
• Translating insights, cultural trends, and brand data into powerful creative territories and narratives
• Concepting campaign ideas in partnership with Creative Directors, Designers, and Producers
• Crafting compelling copy — from campaign lines and manifestos to activations, scripts, and digital content
• Building and presenting strategic and creative decks that connect the dots between insight, strategy, and idea
• Acting as a trusted strategic partner to clients, helping shape messaging, positioning, and storytelling direction
• Partnering with account and production teams to ensure creative excellence through all stages of delivery
• Tracking campaign results and identifying opportunities to optimise for greater impact

What you need to be considered...

• 6–10 years' experience in creative strategy, brand strategy, or copywriting, ideally within a BTL or activations‑led agency
• Strong background in copywriting — able to write powerfully, persuasively, and with purpose
• Deep understanding of consumer behaviour, cultural trends, and media platforms (especially across African markets)
• Experience developing and executing integrated campaigns that span experiential, social, and traditional channels
• Excellent storytelling, writing, and presentation skills
• Comfortable presenting to clients and inspiring teams with your thinking
• Strong collaboration skills — able to bring creative and strategic minds together seamlessly
• Highly organised, proactive, and able to juggle multiple projects with tight deadlines

Bonus points if you...

• Have experience in purpose‑led, social impact, or cause‑marketing campaigns
• Can demonstrate success in activation or behaviour‑change work
• Have exposure to multiple African markets and cultures
• Have led or mentored junior strategists or writers
• Are confident using insight tools (social listening, research platforms, analytics)