Senior Designer - Designer-Visual Design

Johannesburg, South Africa Posted on 02/27/2026

As Design Strategists, you will be core members of our close-knit, multi-disciplinary creative team, working to conceive, prototype, and deliver 360-degree campaign solutions for our clients' most complex challenges.

Our designers are expected to think big, challenge convention, and help shape how IBM's solutions are brought to life visually and experientially.

If you are passionate about being part of a high-performing, like-minded creative community-locally and globally-with strong opportunities for mentorship and career growth, this role will give you exposure to some of IBM's most strategic pursuits.

As members of the Strategic Sales team, Senior Design Strategists synthesize complex and varied information from numerous inputs into cohesive, compelling stories delivered through presentations, posters, videos, websites, and other digital and physical assets for large strategic sales opportunities.

Candidates must be comfortable engaging with senior executives, quickly grasping complex technical and commercial constructs, and recommending visual strategies that translate client solutions into engaging narratives.

The team, much like an external design agency, often works to tight, client-driven timelines. The ability to think creatively, prioritise effectively, and remain calm under pressure is essential.

We are championing AI across everything we do and are looking for designers who are confident using AI-enabled features within Adobe and other creative tools to enhance speed, quality, and creativity under demanding deadlines.

Project work will include both independent and highly collaborative efforts within an organisation that values quality, effective communication, creative problem-solving, and professional growth.

• Strong self-confidence with outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• AI champion: a designer who actively uses AI to accelerate and enhance creative outputs
• Fluency across design and prototyping tools, including Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, After Effects, XD), Microsoft PowerPoint, and Keynote
• Natural ability to re-imagine complex information structures in ways that add tangible value to client
• Strong collaboration, communication, and presentation skills
• Ability to manage ambiguity and work professionally and calmly under pressure against tight client deadlines
• Proven experience collaborating with global teams and senior stakeholders across multiple time zones
• Exceptional organisational skills with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proactive and constructive approach to design critique and feedback from both creative and non-creative stakeholders
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including providing guidance and feedback to more junior designers

• Working knowledge of motion design, video, and web
• Plus: After Effects animation and videography experience
• Plus: Exposure to front-end web technologies (HTML5, CSS, cloud hosting and development)

Required Qualifications and Expectations

• 5+ years of relevant professional design experience, preferably within an agency or consultancy
• Strong portfolio demonstrating excellence in composition, typography, colour, and visual communication
• Willingness to travel up to 50% across the MEA region
• Degree in Graphic Design or a related design discipline
• Foundational field of study in Graphic / Visual Design, Multimedia Design, Digital Design, or related