Lead Digital Marketing Strategist

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 344,000 - 689,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Flexible hours

Professional development opportunities

Long-term contract extension potential

Job summary

Placements24 partners with a KwaZulu-Natal-based ecommerce startup to hire a Lead Digital Marketing Strategist. This fully remote position drives online presence, leads, and conversions across SEO, SEM, social, content, and email channels.

You will craft holistic strategies, manage paid campaigns, oversee SEO and content, grow social engagement, and report performance. A 5+ year track record and SA work eligibility are required; ecommerce experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or related field.
• 5+ years of digital marketing experience with proven strategy success.
• Deep knowledge of SEO, SEM, social media, content, and email marketing best practices.
• Proficient with GA, Ads platforms, SEO tools, and email software.
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven decision making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Experience managing budgets and fast-paced projects.
• E-commerce experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a holistic digital marketing strategy.
• Manage paid campaigns (Google Ads, Social Ads) to maximize ROI.
• Lead SEO initiatives, including keyword research and link building.
• Create and oversee content marketing across blogs and infographics.
• Grow social media presence and brand advocacy.
• Plan email marketing campaigns focusing on lead nurturing.
• Analyze campaign performance and report insights.
• Collaborate with design and development teams for cohesive UX.
• Liaise with vendors and agencies.
• Stay updated on digital marketing trends.
• Must have the legal right to work in South Africa.

Skills

SEO

SEM

Social media

Content marketing

Email marketing

Analytics

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing

Tools

Google Analytics

Google Ads

Facebook Ads Manager

SEMrush

Ahrefs

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking e-commerce startup based in the KwaZulu-Natal region, is seeking a creative and analytical Lead Digital Marketing Strategist to drive their online presence and customer acquisition efforts. This role is fully remote, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere. The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive digital marketing strategies across various channels, including SEO, SEM, social media, content marketing, and email marketing. You will play a crucial role in enhancing brand visibility, generating leads, and optimizing conversion rates. We are looking for a results-oriented individual with a deep understanding of the digital marketing landscape and a proven ability to deliver measurable growth. Join a dynamic team and shape the digital future of a growing brand in Pietermaritzburg.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and implement a holistic digital marketing strategy aligned with business objectives. Manage and optimize paid advertising campaigns (Google Ads, Social Media Ads) to maximize ROI. Lead SEO initiatives, including keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building, to improve organic search rankings. Develop and execute a compelling content marketing strategy, including blog posts, articles, and infographics. Manage social media presence across relevant platforms, fostering community engagement and brand advocacy. Plan and execute email marketing campaigns, focusing on lead nurturing and customer retention. Analyze campaign performance using analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) and generate regular reports. Identify new digital marketing opportunities and emerging trends. Collaborate with design and development teams to ensure cohesive user experiences across all digital touchpoints. Manage relationships with digital marketing vendors and agencies. Stay updated on the latest digital marketing best practices and technologies. Must have the legal right to work in South Africa.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field. Minimum of 5 years of experience in digital marketing, with a proven track record of developing and executing successful strategies. In-depth knowledge of SEO, SEM, social media marketing, content marketing, and email marketing best practices. Proficiency with digital marketing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, SEO platforms (e.g., SEMrush, Ahrefs), and email marketing software. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into actionable strategies. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience in managing marketing budgets and optimizing spend. Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. Experience in e-commerce is highly desirable.

Benefits

This contractor role offers a competitive daily or hourly rate, commensurate with experience and expertise. Enjoy the flexibility of a fully remote work arrangement. You will have the opportunity to work on exciting growth initiatives for a burgeoning e-commerce business. The company provides a collaborative and innovative work environment, with opportunities for professional development and exposure to cutting-edge digital marketing techniques. This position offers significant autonomy and the chance to make a tangible impact on business success in the KwaZulu-Natal region. Additional benefits include flexible working hours and potential for long-term contract extension.