SENIOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR / EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR (CD/ECD)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: SENIOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR / EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR (CD/ECD)

🔹 Company: Mindshare

🔹 Location: Cape Town, South Africa or Johannesburg, South Africa

🔹 Job Type: FTC (Full Time)

🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-30

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading and inspiring creative teams across content, design, and motion
• Working hands-on in the creation of brand campaigns, design systems, and digital experiences
• Collaborating closely with digital leads, strategists, copywriters, and motion designers
• Embracing AI tools to improve productivity and elevate creative output
• Presenting ideas confidently to both internal teams and clients

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of leadership and hands-on creative work, with a focus on driving innovation through AI integration.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead and inspire creative teams across content, design, and motion

✅ Work hands-on in the creation of brand campaigns, design systems, and digital experiences

✅ Collaborate closely with digital leads, strategists, copywriters, and motion designers

✅ Embrace AI tools to improve productivity and elevate creative output

✅ Present ideas confidently to both internal teams and clients

✅ Maintain creative excellence across all deliverables

ASSUMPTION: The role requires a mix of strategic thinking, conceptual excellence, and the ability to direct and contribute to design execution.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Advertising, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 10+ years in agency environments with recognized brands

Required Skills:

• Strong design and conceptual background
• Ability to direct and also contribute hands-on to design execution
• Understanding of content, media, and digital platforms
• Proven track record in leading campaigns from concept through to execution
• Familiarity with AI-powered design tools and workflows

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in a hybrid or remote team environment
• Fluency in additional languages

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience with AI-powered design tools is highly preferred, and familiarity with hybrid or remote work environments would be beneficial.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this role in South Africa is typically between ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications. This estimate is based on market research and industry standards for similar roles in the region.

Benefits:

• Competitive Medical
• Group Retirement Plans
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Significant Paid Time Off
• Preferential Partner Discounts
• Employee Mental Health Awareness Days

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible hours and a hybrid work arrangement (4 days in the office)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Mindshare operates in the Advertising Services industry, focusing on delivering Good Growth for its clients in the age of transformation.

Company Size: Mindshare has 201-500 employees globally, providing a mid-sized agency environment with opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Founded: Mindshare was founded in 1997 and is part of WPP Media, the media collective built for the AI era.

Company Description:

• Mindshare is a media agency that delivers Good Growth for its clients in the age of transformation.
• Good Growth is business growth that is enduring, diversified, disruptive, effective, luminous, and sustainable.
• Mindshare operates as a small, agile team of highly skilled professionals, with a culture of collaboration and efficiency.

Company Specialties:

• SEO
• Affiliates
• Media Planning
• Media Strategy
• Social Media
• Performance Media
• Analytics
• Marketing Effectiveness
• Commerce
• Communications Strategy
• Data & Technology Transformation
• Content
• Influencers
• Sponsorships
• Inclusive Innovation
• Programmatic
• Media Activation
• and Growth

Company Website: https://www.mindshareworld.com/australia

ASSUMPTION: Mindshare's focus on Good Growth and its expertise in various advertising services make it an attractive option for candidates seeking a dynamic and innovative work environment.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior leadership level, with a focus on driving creative excellence and team leadership.

Reporting Structure: The CD/ECD will report directly to the agency's leadership team and will oversee creative teams across content, design, and motion.

Work Arrangement: The role follows a hybrid work arrangement, with team members expected to be in the office for four days a week.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow into a global leadership role within Mindshare or WPP Media
• Opportunities to work on diverse and challenging projects for recognized brands
• Access to professional development resources and training programs

ASSUMPTION: The CD/ECD role offers significant growth opportunities, both within the agency and across the broader WPP Media network.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Mindshare's offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg offer modern, collaborative workspaces designed to foster creativity and innovation.

Office Location(s): 65 Berry Street, Level 13, North Sydney, New South Wales 2060, AU and 2 Southbank Blvd, Southbank, Victoria 3006, AU

Geographic Context:

• Cape Town and Johannesburg are major urban centers in South Africa, offering vibrant cultural scenes and diverse communities
• The offices are located in central business districts, providing easy access to public transportation and amenities
• Both cities offer a mix of urban and outdoor lifestyle options, with beaches, mountains, and nature reserves nearby

Work Schedule: The role follows a standard full-time work schedule, with flexible hours and a hybrid work arrangement (4 days in the office).

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, catering to a wide range of employee preferences.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR team
• Creative portfolio presentation and interview with the creative leadership team
• Final interview with the agency's leadership team

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creative portfolio and problem-solving skills
• Leadership and team management abilities
• Understanding of AI-powered design tools and workflows
• Alignment with Mindshare's core values and company culture

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a compelling cover letter that demonstrates your passion for creative leadership and innovation
• Familiarize yourself with Mindshare's work and company culture to showcase your alignment during the interview

ATS Keywords: Creative Director, Executive Creative Director, AI Tools, Brand Campaigns, Design Systems, Digital Experiences, Creative Leadership, Conceptual Excellence, AI Integration, Hybrid Work Arrangement

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should emphasize their creative portfolio, leadership skills, and experience with AI-powered design tools to stand out in the application process.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• AI-powered design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite with AI integration, Runway ML, etc.)
• Project management software (e.g., Asana, JIRA, etc.)
• Design and prototyping tools (e.g., Sketch, Figma, etc.)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with AI-powered design tools is essential for this role, as they will be used to improve productivity and elevate creative output.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity
• Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust
• Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Innovative and forward-thinking
• Adaptable and open to change

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a collaborative, multi-skilled team environment?
• Are you comfortable embracing new technologies and workflows, such as AI-powered design tools?
• Do you align with Mindshare's core values and company culture?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their fit with Mindshare's company values and work style to ensure a successful and fulfilling career in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Balancing leadership responsibilities with hands-on creative work
• Integrating AI tools into creative workflows and maintaining creative excellence
• Managing a hybrid team and fostering collaboration in a remote work environment
• Keeping up with industry trends and technological advancements in AI and advertising

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to address these challenges and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a dynamic and evolving work environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from other creative director positions in its emphasis on AI integration and its hybrid work arrangement
• Mindshare's focus on Good Growth sets it apart from other advertising agencies, with a stronger emphasis on sustainability and long-term business growth
• Career progression in this role may involve moving into global leadership positions within Mindshare or WPP Media

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider the unique aspects of this role and how they align with their career goals and preferences.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive brand campaign for a major retail client, incorporating AI-generated content and design elements
• Creating a design system for a tech startup, using AI tools to optimize the design process and ensure consistency across platforms
• Leading a team in the creation of a digital experience for a non-profit organization, using AI to personalize content and enhance user engagement

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they have leveraged AI tools to drive creative excellence.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does the agency support the integration of AI tools into creative workflows?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the agency and the broader WPP Media network?
• How does the agency foster collaboration and innovation in a hybrid work environment?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does the agency measure the success of its creative campaigns and teams?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and their commitment to driving creative excellence.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a compelling cover letter that demonstrates your passion for creative leadership and innovation
• Familiarize yourself with Mindshare's work and company culture to showcase your alignment during the interview
• Follow up with the hiring team one week after submission to confirm receipt of your application

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.