Design Director

Location: Cape Town, Southern Suburbs
Work model: Hybrid (3 days in-office, 2 days from home)
Salary: Competitive
Please note: this is an Employment Equity position, so preference will be given to black (african, coloured and indian) South African candidates, in line with our client's EE Plan. We're sorry we can't consider everyone for this one.

Why you'd want to work here:

• Work on global brands without leaving Cape Town
• International, retail- and culture-led work
• A growing studio, and you'll help build its creative team
• Collaborative, people-first environment
• Benchmarked, competitive salaries
• A values-led culture: own it, build trust, stay hungry

About our client:
A global brand activation and retail marketing agency is looking for a Design Director for its Cape Town studio. The studio creates work for the agency's international offices, and this role leads design for its UK integrated accounts. You'll set the visual standard, guide the team and make sure every piece of work is beautifully crafted and true to the brand. It's a chance to shape a studio that's still growing, including helping to hire the people who join it.

What the job involves:

• Leading brand and graphic design direction across integrated UK work
• Setting and protecting the visual standard: layout, typography, craft and detail
• Guiding work from brief to final execution across advertising, media, packaging and retail
• Partnering with UK teams and clients to clarify objectives and shape the design response
• Presenting work clearly and with confidence to win stakeholder support
• Mentoring and inspiring designers with constructive, useful feedback
• Reviewing output for quality, consistency and brand fit
• Keeping delivery on time and on budget
• Helping recruit and build the studio's creative team as it grows

What you need to be considered:

• 8+ years' design experience in an agency or similar environment, including time leading teams
• Strong brand and graphic design skills, with an excellent eye for typography and layout
• Experience directing work across multiple channels and formats
• A proven record of leading projects from brief to delivery while juggling priorities and deadlines
• Confidence presenting work and building good relationships with clients and colleagues
• A supportive leadership style and a real commitment to craft
• A portfolio link must be included in your CV. No portfolio, no response. We want to see brand identity and roll-out work, integrated campaign design, packaging or retail, and examples of work you've directed from brief to final artwork

Bonus points if you:

• Have worked on international brands or for UK clients
• Have retail, shopper marketing or packaging experience
• Have your finger on the pulse of music, fashion and lifestyle culture
• Thrive in a fast-moving studio and take change in your stride

Posted on 22 Oct 08:59, Closing date 20 Dec