Start ASAP - Freelance On-site Art Director - The candidate must demonstrate a portfolio showca ...

Johannesburg, South Africa Posted on 03/03/2026

If you are passionate about South African brands, creating exceptional campaigns, concepts and designs that captivate customers/clients and have the desire to make an impact through your creative vision, then you're the creative we're looking for.

The role: Work closely with a copywriter to conceptualise and execute creative solutions that consistently and clearly communicate the brand's identity, positioning, and campaign messaging through all the brand's touchpoints. We're looking for a person who can consider a campaign from start to finish and then some. You need to be an effective problem solver, communicate well and be able to build relationships internally and with client. You need to be a motivated individual, passionate about ideas and effective communication that shifts the needle. You need to be an effective problem solver and find the opportunities in every brief. If you have 4+ years' experience as an Art Director at a TTL or Digital ad agency, produced great work, and are looking to grow your skills, work on some of South Africa's best known and loved brands, we are the place for you.

• Conceptualise and execute award winning creative ideas
• The ability to sell ideas to clients
• Rollout of campaigns across all touchpoints of the digital eco system
• Execute social, digital, video, print and OOH content.
• Manage, oversee & evolve visual identity of the brand/ brands
• Interact with other agency teams/divisions to develop creative concepts
• Ensure consistency and integration of art direction across all communication channels
• Responsible for seeing the idea through the creative process to final sign off
• Work to brief and show understanding and relevance to the target market
• Provide constructive feedback and guidance to junior designers, assisting in their professional growth and development.
• Work closely with & report to Creative Director who reports to the Executive Creative Director
• Stay up to date with industry trends, design techniques, and emerging technologies, incorporating them into your work to maintain a cutting edged design approach.

1. Bachelor's degree in graphic design, Visual Communications, or a related field.
2. Proven experience 4 - 5+ years as an Art Director/Designer in a creative agency or similar environment.
3. Strong portfolio showcasing a range of creative projects, demonstrating a keen eye for aesthetics, creativity, and attention to detail.
4. Proficient in industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite etc.) and familiarity with multimedia design tools.
5. Expertise in designing for various platforms, including digital, social media, print and mobile.
6. Solid understanding of typography, colour theory, layout, and composition principles.
7. Knowledge of current design trends, user experience (UX), and user interface (UI) design.
8. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively present and articulate conceptual and design work.
9. Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
10. A team player with a positive attitude, open to feedback, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Candidate must demonstrate a portfolio of best work to date, including campaign work.

Our client: A leading South African restaurant network in the CDR category.