Senior Art Director

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V; Durban; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading marketing agency in Durban is seeking a Senior Art Director with a strong digital-first mindset. The ideal candidate will lead creative concepts across social media and digital platforms, translating strategies into compelling visual content. With 5–10 years of experience and a portfolio showcasing successful campaigns, this role demands a passion for storytelling and collaboration. Proficiency in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite is essential, as is an understanding of cultural nuances relevant to the audience.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of proven experience as an Art Director with digital first campaigns.
• Strong portfolio showcasing conceptual thinking and visual storytelling.
• High level of craft in art direction and design.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of digitally led creative concepts across various platforms.
• Collaborate with Creative Director for creative alignment.
• Deliver high quality visual design that resonates with target audiences.
• Translate strategic briefs into engaging content for digital environments.
• Contribute culturally relevant ideas that keep brands impactful.

Skills

Digital storytelling

Creative thinking

Visual design

Brand expression

Collaboration

Trend analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Design or a related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

After Effects

Premiere Pro

Figma or equivalent design tools

Job description

Company description

Publicis One Unlimited is a bespoke agency model created exclusively to serve Beiersdorf.

To support the Beiersdorf brands’ next phase of digital transformation, Publicis Groupe and Beiersdorf partnered to create Publicis One Unlimited—a future focused agency designed around agility, deep collaboration, and interdisciplinary thinking.

For the NIVEA brand, Publicis One Unlimited exists to build a fully connected marketing ecosystem, with data at its core. We operate with a single, connected view of marketing adoption and performance, brand health, and customer insights across the entire customer journey—driving efficiency, effectiveness, and long term brand love.

Our model brings client and agency talent together in one shared environment, unified by passion, purpose, and a deep understanding of the brand. Together, we are reshaping NIVEA’s marketing for the future—spanning global product launches, social and influencer ecosystems, digital experiences and campaigns, data management and strategy, packaging design, and events.

Fuelled by data, technology, and human insight, creativity sits at the heart of everything we do. Because it is through creativity that we meaningfully connect with people—and continue to build lasting relationships with NIVEA consumers around the world.

Overview

We are looking for a Senior Art Director with a strong digital first mindset and a passion for visual storytelling. This role is ideal for a creative leader who thinks in platforms, understands culture, and translates strategy into compelling, thumb stopping digital work.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of digitally led creative concepts across social media, influencer campaigns, activations, and native digital assets.
• Collaborate closely with the Creative Director and wider RSA creative team to ensure creative alignment and excellence.
• Deliver high quality visual design and art direction that resonates with target audiences while staying true to brand tone and identity.
• Translate strategic briefs into engaging, platform specific content optimised for digital environments.
• Proactively contribute big, culturally relevant ideas that keep brands fresh, relevant, and impactful.
• Stay ahead of digital trends, emerging formats, and platform shifts, applying innovative thinking to content creation.

Qualifications

• As this is a senior position, a Bachelor’s degree in Design or a related field is expected.
• 5–10 years of proven experience as an Art Director, with a strong track record of successful digital first campaigns.
• A strong portfolio showcasing conceptual thinking, visual storytelling, and technical execution across social and digital platforms.
• High level of craft and art direction expertise, with a strong eye for composition, typography, motion, and brand expression.
• Proficiency in industry standard software, including:
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • After Effects
  • Premiere Pro
  • Figma (or equivalent design tools)
• Solid understanding of digital production workflows, responsive design principles, and optimisation for social platforms.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast paced, collaborative creative environment.
• Strong knowledge of local insights, cultural nuances, and audience behaviours, applying this understanding to create relevant and resonant work.
• Experience in the beauty, skincare, or personal care industry is a strong advantage, particularly within digitally led or social first campaigns.
• Must be based in Durban.