- Team leadership
- Team recruitment
- Creative leadership
- Scalable design systems
- UX/UI & CRO
- Web design
- Web development
- SEO
- Performance Marketing
- Automation (Zapier, Make)
- A/B testing
- Agile
- Budget management
- Analytics
- Hosting
- CMS solutions
Overview
SearchKings Africa is on a mission to deliver innovative, high-quality websites at scale, all while maintaining a strong focus on creativity and user experience. We’re seeking a Digital Design and Creative Lead to drive the creation of scalable design systems and template-driven processes that streamline project delivery. You’ll blend strategic leadership, automation expertise, and creative vision to deliver visually stunning, user-focused websites in record time.
Responsibilities
Strategy Development and Execution
- Evaluate the current capabilities, tools, and processes of the creative department.
- Define the department's goals and create a roadmap for achieving them.
- Identify key technologies, tools, and team structures to meet client and agency needs.
- Investigate, propose and implement innovative ways of delivering web development and creative asset services to maximise efficiency and productivity.
- Keep abreast of and drive global creative and development trends.
Scalable Design Systems
- Create scalable modular designed industry-specific solutions that meet diverse client needs and can be quickly deployed.
- Establish brand-compliant design systems (colour palettes, typography, components) to ensure consistency across all web products.
- Collaborate with design leads to ensure they are visually appealing, mobile and user-centric.
Process Development and Management
- Map out and implement end-to-end production workflows—from client brief to final deployment—centred on template reuse and automation.
- Create and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for each stage of website development, ensuring smooth handoffs between teams.
- Utilise low-code/no-code tools to automate workflows, stay ahead of industry trends by exploring innovative solutions, and foster a culture of knowledge-sharing to drive team innovation and improved practices.
Leadership & Team Management
- Recruit, mentor, and lead a diverse team, ensuring continuous growth, high performance, and a culture of innovation.
- Manage the professional development of staff, offering guidance, motivation, and resources to enhance productivity and morale.
- Oversee and ensure the timely, efficient delivery of projects, consistently aligning with client goals and expectations.
- Work with Head of People to define and implement bi-annual KPIs, scoring and objectives.
Service Delivery and Management
- Lead the delivery of creative projects, ensuring they meet client requirements and timelines.
- Evaluate and implement AI tools, automation solutions, and content management system integrations to improve operational efficiency and enhance client outcomes.
- Collaborate with the Ads teams to align web strategies with marketing objectives.
- Proactively monitor the quality of creative projects being produced and submitted by leading internal sessions and seeking feedback from both internal and external stakeholders.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Sales and Account Management teams to scope projects, communicate timelines, and ensure on-brand deliverables.
- Work closely with Product, Marketing, and client-facing teams to gather feedback, refine processes, and prioritise high-impact initiatives.
Sales Enablement
- Support the sales process by creating persuasive, data-driven presentations and collateral highlighting our creative solutions and CRO impact.
- Develop thorough briefs that inspire both the team and clients, aligning creative ideas with marketing objectives.
Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement
- Define and track performance metrics (e.g., conversion rates, engagement metrics, A/B testing results, deployment speed, and client satisfaction) to assess the impact of creative solutions, and implement robust testing and feedback loops to refine template functionality, design standards, and user experiences based on data-driven insights.
Budgeting & Resource Allocation
- Oversee budget planning and resource management—balancing the cost of new template creation, tooling investments, and staffing needs.
- Evaluate third-party plugins, platforms, or external partners that enhance template-based production capabilities.
Experience
Core Experience
- Experience: A strong background in web development with leadership experience.
- Technical Know-How: Proficiency in web technologies (WordPress, Webflow, Figma, and Adobe Creative Suite), AI tools, CRM systems, and marketing automation, content management systems and hosting solutions.
- Marketing Mindset: An understanding of how web and creative solutions support and amplify marketing strategies.
- Visionary Leadership: The ability to see the bigger picture and break it into actionable steps.
- Collaboration Skills: A team player who can work across departments and with clients to achieve results.
Design & Creative Skills
- Demonstrated experience creating design systems, style guides, or modular component libraries.
- Proficiency in design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite) and strong familiarity with responsive web design principles.
Technical Skills
- Strong understanding of CRO principles, UX/UI, and mobile responsiveness to optimise user journeys and increase conversion rates.
- Experience with A/B testing, data tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Hotjar, Optimizely), and tracking performance metrics.
- Proficient in using automation tools (Zapier, Make) to streamline workflows.
- Familiar with CMS platforms (WordPress, Webflow) and web development tools (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite).
- Knowledge of front-end languages (HTML, CSS, JS) and SEO best practices.
- Ability to collaborate with teams to implement data-driven improvements and optimise operational processes.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Track record of hiring and developing diverse creative and technical teams.
- Outstanding communication skills—capable of guiding non-technical stakeholders and aligning cross-functional teams toward common goals.
Process & Project Management
- In-depth understanding of agile or similar methodologies to manage multiple concurrent projects.
- Proven success in cost management and delivering web products on time and within budget.
Digital & Web
- Experience with large-scale web production or high-volume digital marketing environments.
- Knowledge of SEO, performance optimisation, and accessibility standards.
- Past work in an agency or enterprise context with a focus on speed and consistency of output.
- Strong grasp of UX/UI best practices and user testing methods
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Design, Engineering, Computer Science, Digital Media, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- 5+ years of experience in web development or creative production, with 2+ years in a leadership role overseeing teams or projects at scale.
Tools & Technologies
- Web development
- CMS platforms
- WordPress
- Webflow
- Figma
- Adobe Suite
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript (JS)
- CRO principles
- UX/UI design
- Mobile responsiveness
- A/B testing
- Google Analytics
- Hotjar
- Optimizely
- Automation tools
- Zapier
- Make
- SEO best practices
- Front-end development
- Data-driven improvements
- Performance optimization
- Accessibility standards
- Content management systems
- Hosting solutions
Johannesburg
Expected Salary
Up to 80,000 ZAR p/m
Work Policy
Hybrid
Team
Design
Industry
Marketing & Advertising
Interview Process
- Online Meet & Greet (HHR)
- Online interview with COO & Head of SEM
- Technical Assessment
- Culture Fit Interview with CEO
- Reference Checks and Offers