Senior Copywriter

AKQA; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 450,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

AKQA is seeking a Senior Copywriter in Johannesburg to blend artistry and strategy. This key role involves creating persuasive, engaging narratives across formats, leading projects, and collaborating closely with a Senior Art Director to elevate brand storytelling in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Extensive range of benefits

Hybrid work environment

Support for wellbeing and life choices

Qualifications

• Native English proficiency and mastery of storytelling.
• Compelling portfolio showcasing conceptual strength.
• Proven experience in collaborative, multi-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Craft compelling, strategically driven copy for various clients.
• Collaborate with a Senior Art Director on creative projects.
• Lead projects with full accountability for execution.

Skills

Storytelling

Creativity

Strategic Thinking

Collaboration

Time Management

Job description

At AKQA, we blend the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products, and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination and deliver impressive returns for our clients.

Creatives at AKQA South Africa are translators. Translators of big ideas into functional content for the everyday person to see. They apply artistry and craftsmanship to strategic insight to create and bring to life beautiful ideas that move the world. Skilled storytellers and conceptors, they work in a multidisciplinary environment to develop labours of love that delight customers and deliver results for clients.

As a Senior Copywriter, you bring strategic insight and exceptional craft to storytelling, developing ideas that move the world. Working in close partnership with a Senior Art Director, you create compelling and beautifully constructed work that connects with audiences and delivers results. You own the brand voice, ensuring consistency, clarity, and emotional resonance across every touchpoint.

Johannesburg-based, while frequently collaborating with our global studios, you will enjoy working with a team of highly skilled people, all with strong opinions about various technologies, frameworks, and approaches to media, creativity, and communications. You will articulate your ideas to your colleagues effectively while also taking on board the ideas of others. You will thrive when faced with new challenges, view them as opportunities, and constantly look to improve client deliverables. You will work in a progressive environment that fosters a meritocratic culture, surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Craft compelling, strategically driven copy that is clear, persuasive, and beautifully constructed for various clients and audiences.
• Collaborate as a team with a Senior Art Director, ensuring that ideas are conceptually strong, well-articulated, and executed with exceptional craft.
• Lead projects and clients with autonomy, taking full accountability for the creative direction and execution of your work.
• Write across various formats, including brand guidelines, manifestos, scripts, editorial content, experience copy, and campaign messaging.
• Deliver copy with speed, consistency, accuracy, and creative flair, adapting tone and style to suit different brands and platforms.
• Be a proactive team player, managing multiple projects with exceptional time management and attention to detail.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and creative best practices, continuously pushing boundaries and keeping work at the forefront of innovation.
• Ask the right questions, clarify objectives, and structure work effectively to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
• Lead brainstorming and workshop sessions with senior stakeholders, shaping creative direction and fostering collaboration.
• Own the narrative and structure of presentations, ensuring storytelling is engaging, persuasive, and strategically sound.
• Build consensus around creative approaches, integrating feedback while maintaining the integrity of the work.
• Present confidently, clearly articulating creative rationale and vision to internal teams and clients, winning hearts and minds.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Native English proficiency, with a mastery of language, tone, and storytelling.
• A compelling portfolio showcasing conceptual strength, meticulous craft, and a deep understanding of brand storytelling.
• Proven experience delivering creative success in collaborative, multi-functional teams.
• A work-in-progress mindset—you are passionate, driven, and always pushing your craft further.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with creative execution, ensuring copy is both insight-driven and emotionally resonant.
• A relentless pursuit of excellence, continuously refining and elevating your work.

AKQA is committed to developing wellbeing and supporting life choices for our team. We provide an extensive range of benefits. To find out more click here

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.