Creative Director
| Remuneration: | market-related |
| Location: | Gauteng |
| Job level: | Senior |
| Type: | Contract |
| Reference: | #AA-47 |
| Company: | Avatar Agency |
Job description
Role Overview
We’re looking for a Creative Director (Copy) who can lead thinking, not just output.
This role sits at the intersection of strong conceptual creativity and commercial effectiveness. The expectation is simple: ideas must be clear, ownable and effective, whether the brief is brand-led or product-focused.
You will play a critical role in raising the standard of thinking across the department, ensuring work is resolved, purposeful and ready for market.
This role is for someone who leads with strong ideas – where execution enhances the thinking, not compensates for it. We’re looking for someone who can interrogate a brief, define a direction, and drive work through to a high standard.
What Success Looks Like
- Work reaches ECD level already resolved, not still being figured out.
- Teams bring solutions, not options.
- Ideas are clear, scalable and commercially relevant.
- Creative output becomes more consistent across briefs.
- Fewer rounds, less rework, stronger first presentations.
Key Responsibilities:
Creative Leadership
- Lead the development of strong, clear conceptual directions across briefs.
- Interrogate briefs and define the most effective creative approach.
- Ensure all work is strategically sound and creatively resolved before review.
- Present work clearly and confidently to clients, with strong rationale and conviction.
Creative Gatekeeping
- Act as the primary filter for creative output before ECD involvement.
- Raise the standard of thinking and push teams toward stronger, more effective ideas.
- Ensure only work that meets the required standard progresses.
Commercial Creativity
- Translate complex or functional briefs into simple, compelling ideas.
- Balance brand storytelling with product and performance-driven messaging.
- Ensure work is not only creative, but practical, scalable and effective.
Team Development
- Develop senior and mid-level creatives into stronger thinkers and owners of work.
- Set clear expectations for what “good” looks like.
- Build a culture of accountability, ownership and creative pride.
Requirements
What We’re Looking For
- A strong conceptual thinker who can define direction, not just respond to briefs.
- Someone who can turn complex or commercial asks into clear, compelling ideas.
- A creative leader who improves the quality of thinking across a team, not just their own work.
- Comfortable making decisions, challenging work, and standing by them.
- Someone who values clarity, simplicity and effectiveness over unnecessary complexity.
Experience
- 10+ years in advertising or a related field
- Experience in a senior creative leadership role
- Strong copywriting background with a clear understanding of idea development
Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks after your application deadline, consider your application unsuccessful.
Posted on 19 Mar 19:15, Closing date 17 Apr