Recruitment Room Team
Creative Lead (JHB/CPT)
Job Description
ENVIRONMENT:
BE responsible for brand integration in student-centric initiatives while managing a team of Creatives as you take on the role of a Creative Lead at a leading Private Academic Institution based in Joburg. You will develop compelling brand narratives as you plan and execute impactful multi-channel marketing campaigns that elevate the institution’s brand awareness and engagement, including digital, social media, print, video, and experiential initiatives. Applicants will need a Master’s/Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design/Marketing/Fine Arts, or a related field with 8+ years of work experience in a Senior Creative role, ideally in Higher education or a student-focused industry. You must have expert proficiency with Figma & Adobe Creative Suite. A portfolio demonstrating expertise in brand storytelling, digital design, and multimedia content will be expected.
DUTIES:
Responsible for Brand Identity –
- Define brand.
- Develop compelling brand narratives.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive brand guidelines covering all aspects of visual and verbal identity, ensuring consistent implementation across all platforms and materials.
- Reflect the institution’s core values of innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in Higher Education.
- Brand narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, including students, parents, educators, and industry stakeholders
- Remain a leader in its industry.
Management –
Budgets – Planning (business and operational plans, objectives and schedules) –
- Plan and execute impactful multi-channel marketing campaigns that elevate the institution’s brand awareness and engagement, including digital, social media, print, video, and experiential initiatives.
- Resourcing – Ensure resources are allocated efficiently to maximize impact.
- Objective setting – Set key performance indicators (KPIs) for creative outputs, using data to assess campaign effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
Execution Monitoring – Control, Corrective action –
- Act as the creative quality gatekeeper, providing constructive feedback to ensure all creative output meets standards of excellence and aligns with the brand guidelines.
- Review and approve all creative deliverables, from digital assets like social media posts and email templates to large-scale productions like video campaigns and outdoor advertising.
- Continuously refine creative outputs based on feedback and performance metrics, ensuring the brand remains relevant and impactful in a competitive landscape.
Reporting –
- Provide regular updates and presentations to senior leadership, showcasing the impact of creative initiatives and recommending future strategies.
Workflow / Alignment / Silos –
- Work in close partnership with key marketing functions such as Content Strategy, Digital Strategy, and Campaigns to deliver seamless, integrated campaigns.
- Collaborate with academic, admissions, and student experience teams to ensure the brand story is carried through in student-facing materials, from prospectuses to orientation guides.
- Liaise with external creative agencies and production partners to supplement internal resources and achieve optimal results for large-scale projects.
- Act as the creative voice in strategic meetings, advocating for innovative approaches and emphasizing the importance of storytelling in achieving marketing objectives.
- Problem solving and decision quality, including escalations, queries and complaints.
- Resourcing and capacity management (people; infrastructure; systems; technology; equipment; information; facilities).
- Operational efficiency (processes / governance / systems / standards / policies / compliance / methodologies).
- Introduce processes and workflows to streamline creative operations, ensuring timely delivery without compromising quality.
- Governance and Compliance / Risk Management
- Structure and roles.
Leadership –
- Direction and contribution to Marketing strategy – Creative strategies that align with broader marketing goals, supporting key initiatives such as student acquisition, retention, alumni engagement, and corporate partnership.
- Talent acquisition, selection, onboarding and succession / bench strength.
- Individual performance – role clarity and objectives; reviews; feedback; corrective actions.
- Skill levels – Training & Development.
- Culture and climate.
- Inspire and mentor the creative team by fostering a culture of innovation, curiosity, and continuous learning, encouraging team members to push boundaries and explore new ideas.
- Change capability – resilience, flexibility, adaptability.
- Team Remuneration.
REQUIREMENTS:
Qualifications –
- Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, Fine Arts, or related field; Master’s degree is a plus.
Experience/Skills –
- 8+ Years of experience in a Senior Creative role, ideally in Higher education or a student-focused industry.
- Proven track record of leading and developing Creative teams in fast-paced, innovative environments.
- Exceptional portfolio demonstrating expertise in brand storytelling, digital design, and multimedia content.
- Strong understanding of digital and traditional marketing channels, with the ability to adapt creative strategies for different platforms and audiences.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
- Expert in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.
- Experience working with diverse audiences and creating culturally sensitive and inclusive content.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing creativity with project timelines and objectives.
ATTRIBUTES:
- Action orientation.
- Leadership.
- Collaborative relations and teamwork.
- Effective communication.
- Analysing and problem solving.
- Innovation, adaptability and change – passion for creativity and innovation.
- Planning and organising.
- Resilience and coping with pressure and setbacks.
- Commercial and entrepreneurial approach.
