Senior Retoucher & Graphic Designer (Ftc)

Publicisgroupe; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 420 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global creative agency based in Johannesburg is seeking a Senior Retoucher & Graphic Designer to ensure high-quality image retouching. The ideal candidate will master various retouching techniques, optimize creative workflows, and maintain brand consistency across markets. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and knowledge of AI tools are essential for success in this fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop.
• Experience with AI tools and batch processing for retouching.
• Strong understanding of file management and delivery requirements.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for high-quality image retouching across multiple media platforms.
• Oversee creative visual direction and quality of projects.
• Ensure global brand consistency across markets.

Skills

High-end product retouching techniques

Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Bridge, Lightroom, Illustrator, InDesign)

Knowledge of retouching plugins and AI-assisted tools

Creative workflow optimization

Attention to detail

Tools

Figma

Frame.io

Marcel AI tools

Job description

Overview

As the Senior Retoucher & Graphic designer you will be responsible for high-quality image retouching across multiple media platforms, ensuring creative standards are met while maintaining efficiency and consistency.

This role often serves as a quality gatekeeper, working closely with Art Directors, Client Service, and sometimes clients.

Overseeing the creative visual direction and quality of projects that are output across the agency.

This includes driving innovation on visuals and aligning with client brand strategy, and ensuring cohesion in production delivery. Striving in leading and assisting the creative visual direction and uphold the integrity of the agency's art output across our global campaigns.

Ensuring global brand consistency across markets, meeting campaign timelines, and upholding the visual identity of our clients brands.

Responsibilities

• Expert Retouching Proficiency — Mastery in high-end product, skin, and surface retouching techniques (texture, color, and lighting correction).
• Advanced Photoshop Workflow — Smart object structuring, non-destructive editing, masking, layer comping, file prep for large-scale outputs.
• Visual Brand Stewardship — Deep understanding of brand identity systems; able to interpret and implement brand guidelines across multiple asset types and markets.
• Art Direction & Visual Storytelling — Ability to translate campaign concepts into polished visual assets, guiding composition, tone, and narrative.
• Design Sensibility — Eye for layout, typography, and balance across static and motion assets; understanding of multi-channel design.
• Color Management & Profiling — Skilled in working with accurate color spaces and ICC profiles for web, print, and packaging outputs.
• Strategic & Conceptual Thinking — Creative Brief Interpretation : distill complex briefs into actionable creative outputs with strong visual coherence; Cross-Market Adaptation : understanding of cultural tone, aesthetic preferences, and market-specific visual nuances; Visual Consistency Across Formats : ensure uniformity across print, digital, social, POS, and packaging visuals; Trend Awareness : in tune with visual culture, creative industry trends, and innovations in AI-assisted design / retouching.

Qualifications

• Technical Proficiency
• Adobe Creative Suite (Expert-level) : Photoshop, Bridge, Lightroom, Illustrator, InDesign.
• AI Tools & Workflow Enhancers : Knowledge of retouching plugins, neural filters, batch processing, and AI-assisted touch-ups, consistent learnings of AI advancement.
• File Management & Delivery : Rigorous about file naming conventions, folder structures, spec compliance, and platform formatting.
• Collaborative Software & Tools : Figma, Frame.io, Marcel AI tools.
• Operational & Workflow Skills
• Creative Workflow Optimization : Skilled at designing and refining post-production pipelines, action-based workflows, and handoff processes.
• Time & Priority Management : Confident juggling multiple deadlines in fast-paced environments while maintaining quality.
• Attention to Detail : Zero-tolerance for errors in final delivery; precision-driven in pixel-perfect output.