Social - First Creative Director

Tbwa South Africa; Gauteng; Remote; ZAR 700 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading advertising agency in South Africa is seeking a Creative Director with an Art Direction/Design background. In this role, you will lead social-first campaigns, mentor a talented team, and collaborate with global counterparts to shape innovative strategies. The ideal candidate has a robust understanding of social media trends and excellent leadership skills. This position offers an exciting opportunity to influence creative strategies in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading creative strategies for social-first campaigns.
• Strong art direction and design background.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead creative strategy and execution for social-first campaigns.
• Inspire and manage a team of multi-hyphenate creatives.
• Collaborate with global teams for alignment on creative briefs.
• Present concepts and guide clients through decisions.
• Stay ahead of cultural trends.

Skills

Creative strategy development

Mentoring and managing teams

Social media campaign execution

Cross-functional collaboration

Trend analysis

Job description

Social-First, Creative Director - Art Director Location : TBWA South Africa | Work Hours : CAT with EST overlap required (10 : 30am – 6 : 30pm) | Work Hours : EST / CAT overlap required Work structure : Contracted by TBWA\ HL but deployed to BBDO Atlanta / Dobbino.

Reports to : BBDO Atlanta Dobbino ECD, with dotted line to Hunt Lascaris CCO About Dobbino Dobbino an anagram for BBDO + Innovation, bringing together a team of multi-hyphenated creators developing interest led, platform first content at the speed and scale of culture.

We are algorithm obsessed, collaborating with platforms and guiding brands through the ever-changing social shifts.

Powered by technology from proprietary intelligent automation to industry leading AI partnerships.

Atlanta is our hub, a cultural mecca of emerging talent, coupled with offshore teams and our 16k strong global creator marketplace.

The Role As a Social-First, Creative Director, with an Art Direction / Design background you will fulfil an inspirational, but hands-on role, driving breakthrough, interest-led campaigns.

You’ll supervise an SA-based, senior CW / AD team (also working remotely) and partner closely with Atlanta leadership and global teams to shape creative strategy, mentor world-class talent, and ensure that every idea is made for today's fast-moving, scroll-happy world.

Responsibilities

• Lead creative strategy and execution for multi-platform, social-first campaigns.
• Inspire, mentor, and manage a team of multi-hyphenate creatives (art, copy, design).
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Atlanta and global teams to keep creative aligned, innovative, and on-brief.
• Present concepts and guide clients through creative decisions.
• Stay ahead of cultural and platform trends—making sure Dobbino leads, not follows.
• Ensure excellence in both creative thinking and execution, from ideation to delivery.