Senior Digital Designer - Contract

The Up&Up Group (affiliated to the global M&C Saatchi Group); Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

The Up&Up Group in Johannesburg is seeking a Senior Digital Designer who thrives on big ideas and outstanding design. You will shape digital-first campaigns, develop visual worlds across social, motion and other channels, and collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated campaigns.

Join a bold, entrepreneurial team that values experimentation with AI tools and emerging technologies, while mentoring junior designers and delivering high-quality creative work in a fast-paced agency

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Senior Digital Designer or similar in a creative or digital agency.
• Strong digital-first portfolio with conceptual thinking and integrated campaign work.
• Solid understanding of digital design across social, web and mobile platforms.
• Ability to develop big creative ideas beyond executions.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects).
• Strong motion design and video editing capabilities.
• Experience using AI-powered tools in the design process.
• Excellent art direction, typography, layout and storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Develop 360° campaign ideas with a strong digital focus across digital, social, motion and other channels.
• Translate concepts into digital-first campaign ecosystems across multiple touchpoints.
• Create motion graphics, animation and video content for campaigns.
• Present and sell creative ideas to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Creative Directors, Copywriters and Strategists to develop integrated campaigns.
• Lead from concept through execution while maintaining high creative standards.
• Mentor and support junior designers as needed.

Skills

Conceptual thinking

Digital design

Motion design

Video editing

Presentation skills

Adobe Creative Suite

AI ideation tools

Team collaboration

Brand expression

Tools

Photoshop

Illustrator

After Effects

Job description

We are a highly entrepreneurial and opportunity focused company who want to be the most desired creative company on the African continent and beyond. To achieve this, we set out to inspire our people and define ourselves as a Group with one powerful orientation at our core: WE BOLDLY GO. These few words serve as both an invitation and challenge to all our people to always do the BOLD thing, together. The idea that, in the face of considerable challenges & change, we would be daring enough to do something audacious. Challenge yourself. Be bold. Join us.

We are looking for a Senior Digital Designer who is as passionate about big ideas as they are about exceptional design. This role is for a conceptual, digitally minded designer who can take an idea from a blank page and turn it into a compelling, integrated creative campaign. You will work across digital, social, motion and other channels, developing visual worlds and campaign ecosystems that are both creatively ambitious and strategically relevant.

You’ll be great in this role if you:

• Develop 360° campaign ideas with a strong digital focus.
• Think conceptually and contribute big creative ideas, not just executions.
• Translate concepts into digital-first campaign ecosystems across social, and other touchpoints.
• Create motion graphics and animation for campaign and digital work.
• Bring strong video editing skills to campaign development and content creation.
• Use AI tools confidently for ideation, visual development, exploration and creative execution.
• Develop high-quality design concepts that can be adapted across multiple platforms and formats.
• Create sharp, compelling presentations that clearly communicate and bring creative ideas to life.
• Present and confidently sell creative ideas to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with Creative Directors, Copywriters and Strategists to develop integrated campaigns.
• Work from concept through to execution while maintaining a consistently high creative standard.
• Stay current with emerging digital design, motion, AI, social and creative technology trends.
• Mentor and support junior designers where required, contributing to the overall creative standard of the team.

Experience Required:

• Proven experience as a Senior Digital Designer, Senior Designer or similar role, ideally within an advertising, creative or digital agency.
• A strong digital-first portfolio demonstrating conceptual thinking and integrated campaign work.
• Strong understanding of digital design, social platforms, web and mobile experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to develop big creative ideas, rather than simply execute existing concepts.
• Strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects.
• Strong motion design, animation and video editing capabilities.
• Experience using AI-powered creative tools as part of the design and creative development process.
• Strong understanding of art direction, typography, layout, visual storytelling and brand expression.
• Ability to work collaboratively with copywriters, strategists and creative directors.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the confidence to present creative work to clients.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced agency environment.
• A curious mindset and willingness to experiment with new technologies, tools and creative approaches.

The successful candidate will be expected to start on 01 November 2026.

Thank you for your interest in the opportunity.