Fresh Jobs at Ogilvy South Africa

About the Role:

• We're seeking a seasoned freelance Senior Account Manager for a 5-month contract to lead the day-to-day management of client accounts. You'll leverage your strong project management, media relations, and team leadership skills to deliver impactful campaigns.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary client contact, building trust and providing strategic counsel.
• Develop and execute media relations strategies, securing impactful coverage.
• Lead the research, planning, and implementation of communication plans.
• Oversee project quality and deadlines, coaching and developing junior team members.
• Produce high-quality content, including press releases, social media content, and briefs for the creative team.
• Support new business pitches with research, presentation development, and team management.
• Analyse campaign outcomes, interpret data and report findings to stakeholders.
• Manage budgets effectively and ensure timely billing and reporting.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience as a Senior Account Manager in a PR agency setting.
• Strong project management, budgeting, and people management skills.
• Excellent media relations skills and existing journalist relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple clients and workloads efficiently.
• Collaborative team player with experience mentoring junior staff.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Passion for current affairs, news, and the media landscape.
• Proactive, problem-solving attitude with a commitment to excellence.

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The Role:

• As an Influence Account Executive, you will play a crucial role in developing, managing, and executing both paid and seeding influencer marketing campaigns that cover a broad spectrum of Influencer work. You will be responsible for Influencer identification, executing Influencer campaigns that integrate into the overall Influencer strategy, including seeding, paid love and paid media campaigns. You will collaborate with your Influencer Manager to deliver best-in-class paid and seeding campaigns for our global client.
• You will be responsible for identifying and nurturing client-appropriate talent opportunities and relationships with support from your Influencer Manager. Additionally, you will need to stay up-to-date and on top of European cultural and social trends and customers' views and attitudes to ensure that our Influencer campaigns are relevant and effective.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, manage and execute Influencer marketing campaigns for clients within a focus on beauty, lifestyle and fashion creators.
• Be responsible for day-to-day running of influencer campaigns, from identification, outreaching, negotiating and content management to overseeing seeding lists and reporting.
• Owning creation of Influencer briefs and Traackr campaigns.
• Ensuring Traackr is constantly up to date, being responsible for obtaining crucial reporting metrics per campaign.
• Identify and nurture client-appropriate talent opportunities and nurture relationships to help deliver Influencer campaigns on behalf of the brand.
• Maintain and build successful client relationships, suggesting creators and content ideas in quick turnaround and high-pressure environment.
• Be able to present creative and sell content solutions to internal senior management, IMs, IDs.
• Manage the Influencer paid database and ensure it is kept up-to-date.
• Stay up-to-date with cultural and social trends and customers' views and attitudes.
• Support additional projects as required, such as additional Influencer campaigns and competitive trend nudges.
• Be responsible for supplying Trends Nudges to the client on a weekly basis.
• Be responsible for nurturing Account Coordinators and helping them grow.

Requirements:

• A passion for Influencer Marketing and social media.
• Demonstrated experience in building consistently productive client relationships.
• The ability to remain optimistic and calm under pressure.
• Strong experience with Influencer communication and negotiation.
• A creative outlook with the ability to achieve the full potential from projects, keeping abreast of and utilising new industry developments and technology.
• Proven experience of integrating digital and social media in campaign activity.
• Self-motivated, action-oriented and ambitious with a positive "can-do" attitude.
• A keen interest in all things social and an avid follower of relevant news and trends.

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Requirements:

• Highly conceptual (Must demonstrate with at least 5 projects)
• Demonstrate exceptional strategic thinking (Provide 3 examples)
• Must have lead the conceptualisation and execution of integrated campaigns and pure digital campaigns (Show minimum of 4 examples)
• Must demonstrate an understanding of digital platforms and digital channels
• Must demonstrate an ability to use multimedia programmes (Editing, recording etc.)
• Track record of winning international and local awards i.e. Cannes, One Show, Loeries, Clios, Bookmarks etc.
• Must demonstrate examples of leadership skills & problem solving
• In-depth working knowledge of existing and emerging technologies & platforms
• A strong understanding of best practice interaction and visual design principles

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of talented designers, copywriters, and other creatives.
• Develop and execute creative strategies for all digital channels, including website, social media, email marketing, display advertising, and more.
• Oversee the creation of high-quality visual and written content that is engaging, on-brand, and aligned with campaign goals.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product, and technology, to ensure seamless execution of creative vision.
• Stay up-to-date on the latest digital trends and technologies and identify opportunities to innovate and push creative boundaries.
• Manage budgets and timelines effectively to deliver projects on time and within scope.
• Analyze data and user feedback to measure the effectiveness of creative campaigns and identify areas for improvement.
• Present creative concepts and strategies to stakeholders in a clear and compelling manner.
• Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence within the team

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in design, marketing, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in a creative leadership role, preferably in a digital agency or in-house creative team.
• Strong background in Art Direction, Design, or Copywriting, with a deep understanding of digital marketing landscapes and CRM strategies.
• A strong portfolio showcasing innovative and effective digital campaigns.
• Exceptional understanding of digital design principles, user experience, and best practices.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience with project management tools and methodologies.

Software skills:

• Photoshop
• After Effects (Would help)
• KeyNote / PowerPoint
• 3D Animation & Production (Would help)
   

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Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities

• Ensure the accuracy of Payroll preparation and processing
• Apply for Tax Numbers for new Employees
• Update Payroll records including Transfers, Job Title changes, deductions and other changes
• Payroll related employee termination calculations
• Partner with Talent Management regarding Payroll related matters
• Preparation of payroll schedules and submissions
• Process payroll related entries in the accounting system
• Reconciliation of all Control Accounts
• Manage Payroll related SARS submissions.
• Monthly reconciliation of 12 month report to general ledger
• Preparation of headcount schedule for all business units
• Deal with Department of Labour / Workmans Compensation queries
• Manage Payroll related audit queries
• Manage day to day payroll related queries

Education and Experience

• Diploma in Finance/ Bookkeeping/ Payroll
• Minimum of 10 years experience working in a finance environment with payroll related experience
• Office 365
• SAGE Payroll System
• ESS
• EASYFILE (SARS)
• Accounting system (Pastel/Evolution / Navision)
   

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About the job Group Account Director

• As a Group Account Director, you will be a key player in our dynamic agency, responsible for leading a team and managing a portfolio of clients in the retail sector. You will utilize your exceptional project management, communication, and business development skills to drive client satisfaction, growth, and profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Client Relationship Management:
• Cultivate and nurture strong, trusted relationships with senior client contacts.
• Serve as a strategic advisor, proactively identifying opportunities and providing solutions that exceed expectations.
• Conduct regular client health checks and present quarterly reports.
• Engage clients in co-owning changes and adjustments to project scope and deliverables.
• Team Leadership and Development:
• Lead, motivate, and mentor a high-performing account team.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Conduct regular one-on-one sessions and performance reviews.
• Drive high-performance career conversations.
• Strategic Planning and Execution:
• Develop and present compelling proposals and strategies that align with client objectives.
• Oversee the execution of integrated marketing campaigns, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budgets.
• Manage project budgets, including cost estimates, invoicing, and tracking profitability.
• Media Relations:
• Develop and guide media relations strategies.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key media contacts.
• Oversee the drafting of press releases, media alerts, and other communication materials.
• Manage media events and proactively address any potential crises.
• New Business Development:
• Actively participate in new business pitches and presentations.
• Conduct market research and identify new business opportunities.

Qualifications:

• 5-10 years of proven experience in a similar account management role within an agency setting.
• A strong understanding of the retail industry and current trends.
• Exceptional project management, budgeting, and time management skills.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams.
• A proactive and solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving.
• Experience with digital marketing and retail activations is a plus.

Essential Qualities:

• Innovative thinker with a passion for delivering exceptional results.
• Strategic and analytical thinker with a keen eye for detail.
• Collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, demanding environment.

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About the job Senior Copywriter

• We believe in creative work that disrupts, and we are looking for a candidate who is going to embrace modern marketing principles and is a self-starter by nature. This is an individual who is not afraid to challenge the norm and embodies our philosophy of divine discontent (Never stop chasing brilliance attitude).
• We are therefore looking for a Senior Copywriter. Must have 8+ years experience.
• To complement the above, well also be looking for:
• Highly conceptual individual (Must show a minimum of 5 projects)
• Demonstrate exceptional strategic thinking (Provide 2 examples)
• Track record of leading the conceptualization and execution of campaigns (Show minimum of 4 examples)
• Must demonstrate in-depth understanding of new and existing digital platforms
• Must show an understanding of various programmes (Word,Excel etc.)
• Must have industry recognition in the form of local and/or international awards. (i.e. Cannes, One Show, Loeries, Clios, Bookmarks etc.)

RESPONSIBILITIES

• As a senior creative you will help lead our passionate, multi-talented studio, guiding more junior members to deliver, and encourage exceptional, integrated concepts that exceed client briefs and expectations.
• A Senior Writer is an important contact point in our agency, so they can expect to be craft-led, strategically driven, media agnostic, agile and consistently conceptual, with a desire to transform brands by creating exceptional, intuitive, and human-centred products and experiences.
• The successful candidate will be tuned into all aspects of South African popular culture and the platforms and media it plays in, as well as have a strong point of view on what it takes to win in this space, with the experience to back it up. Exceptional writing ability is paramount.
• Must be able to work on two sizable and one small size project at any one time. Have the ability to attend every review on a project with new 3 ideas. Must be comfortable running projects independently.

What you'll do everyday

Responsibilities

• Be part of the strategic process and interrogate the brief
• Scope, plan & manage the creative process on projects
• Manage & mentor the junior creatives
• Work with other disciplines (Strategists, Developers, Media, Accounts, etc) to ensure cohesive team integration, and alignment with broader business objectives
• Be a champion for innovative media solutions on every brief
• Play an active role in campaign planning
• Participate in pitches for new business
• Define the tone of overall campaigns
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Generate ideas and sell them into clients and other members of the team
• Mock up creative ideas
• Consistently produce creative elements against a deliverables list
• Lead brainstorms & conceptualisation
• Lead the craft of an idea
• Compile presentations for clients
• Attend client briefings & present to clients
• Attend recordings & film shoots
• Source inspirational material and references of how to push creativity
• Submit proactive work for awards purposes.

You'll also be required to develop the following:

• Good understanding of influencer, Mobile, Podcast, Out-of-Home, Guerrilla, Activations and Direct Marketing
• Great time management
• Ability to work under pressure & meet tight deadlines
• Adopt problem solving skills
• Strong communication skills with ability to provide rationales for creative choices made
• Strong presentation skills
• In-depth working knowledge of existing and emerging technologies & platforms
• A strong understanding of strategic processes
• Able to work with team members & delegate effectively
• Understand the clients business requirements, and understand how our services should be applied to solve business problems
• Agility is key
• Working knowledge of these tools:
• Microsoft Word
• KeyNote / PowerPoint
• Facebook Creative Hub (Not required, but helps)

Additional skills

• A storyteller
• Audio and Music abilities
• Editing skills

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We are looking for a:

SEO Strategist Mid Level

• We are looking for an SEO Strategist. The SEO Strategist is responsible for the successful formulation and running of SEO strategies needed to improve organic performance of client websites. Not only is the SEO Strategist needed to ensure organic performance improves on behalf of clients but will also be required to conduct reporting sessions regarding organic performance to website owners.
• We will also look to the SEO Strategist to bring skills and knowledge to the team, and on occasion provide training to junior SEO analysts. The best candidate will be an all-rounder with the ability to combine technical, on page and off-site elements together to the best possible effect.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, develop and implement effective SEO strategies specific to client business objectives, from start to finish comprising of technical, on page and off-site organic elements
• Ensure all client websites are performing at world class standards and that organic search traffic is consistently growing into revenue
• Manage client expectations, deliverables and communication
• Work closely with specialist departments such as Data & Technology, UX and Paid Media to achieve the main goal, while also communicating daily with Project Managers and Account Managers
• Build and execute successful SEO strategies as well as manage the full reporting cycle showing maximum value
• Perform organic audits identifying broken elements as well as areas of opportunity. Make core recommendations from a technical SEO perspective, On Page SEO perspective as well as to plan and execute and extensive outreach campaign to gain quality backlinks (Off-Site)
• Conduct technical health checks and identify new search engine algorithm updates to ensure strategies stay relevant according to SEO best practices
• Be able to provide organic recommendations in a clear and concise manner to clients and developers and implement SEO fixes via a CMS where developer resources aren't available
• Versatile and creative reporting which disrupts traditional reporting methods to stay ahead of the game, keep clients happy and consistently drive to produce better results

Qualifications

The ideal candidate would have the following background:

• Min 3 years experience in SEO in a respected agency or on the client side
• Experience identifying technical fixes as well as identifying missing technical elements
• SEO copywriting experience where keywords where contextually implemented
• Knowledge of link building and how links can be strategically generated
• SEO auditing and competitor analysis
• Ability to formulate SEO strategies with auditing and competitor analysis data

Experience with the following Tools:

• Google analytics
• Google search console
• Google Data Studio
• Google my business
• Screaming frog
• SEMrush
• AHRefs
• Backlink analysis tools
• Various speed & load time checking tools
• AMP tools
• Strong understanding of HTML, JavaScript and CSS, while actual coding ability would be advantageous
• Experience with CMS such as WordPress, Drupal, Umbraco, Joomla etc.
• Have impeccable attention to detail
• Strong organisational skills and ability to always meet deadlines
• Adaptable to change and able to multi-task
• Drive to learn and ask questions of management and senior team members
• Carry a proactive approach to working and not a reactive approach
• Strong analytic skills which result in the ability to relate results to client business objectives
• Advanced computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Strong English copywriting and verbal communication skills (including presentation skills)

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Key Responsibilities:

• Month-End Close Process:
• Prepare and post journal entries for assigned companies.
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts and investigate discrepancies.
• Assist in preparing monthly management accounts and reports.
• Assist with month end reporting submission.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of month-end tasks.
• Financial Accounting Support:
• Assist the Financial Accountant with bank reconciliations, accruals, prepayments, and other accounting tasks.
• Prepare and process purchase orders.
• Maintain accurate and organized financial records.
• Company Secretarial Assistance:
• Assist with the preparation and filing of company secretarial documents.
• Complete and submit various forms and applications.
• Maintain statutory records and registers.
• Trust Accounting:
• Process month-end accounting entries for various trusts.
• Reconcile trust accounts and prepare related reports and management packs.
• Other Duties:
• Provide administrative support to the Finance Team as needed.
• Assist with ad hoc projects and tasks.

Experience:

• Minimum Grade 12 with Accounting as a subject.
• Previous experience as a Junior Accountant or in a similar role is advantageous.

Skills:

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Other Requirements:
• Own reliable transportation.
• Willingness to work overtime when required.
• Commitment to working from the office.
   

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Business Unit Director

• An individual who possesses a strong retail, brand & digital client service background to nurture and develop a portfolio of brands.

Responsibilities

Include but not limited to:

• CLIENT
• Lead both your clients projects, along with supervision and management of the accounts team within your portfolio, ensuring a constructive and creative operating environment.
• Represent the point of view of the agency with integrity and resolve.
• Elevate the clients perception of the agency from an advertising supplier to a valued business partner, within the context of the total marketing mix, not just advertising.
• You build strong and enduring relationships with clients. You also have a deep understanding of the clients business and of the key broader factors and trends shaping their markets and categories and how Ogilvy can best drive real business IMPACT.
• FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
• Ensuring that the revenue target for the portfolio is achieved and mined with intersections across the OSA group.
• Ensuring that the client scope is fully deployed & the out-of-scope opportunities are identified and converted.
• Contributing to the good financial management of the business, improving profitability and margin.
• Annual comms plan, SOW development & budgeting
• Delivery of business growth plan during the fiscal year.
• PEOPLE MANAGEMENT
• Ensure staffing levels match the need of the client.
• Review, interrogate and validate deliverables across the board to maintain a high standard of work, spot potential issues and ensure that the information provided is contextualized and clear enough for all stakeholders.
• Conduct annual Goal Setting & Career Conversations with each member of the team, aligned to the business KPIs for the year
• In liaison with various department heads ensure the team is adequately skilled and trained to deliver ahead of client expectations.
• STRATEGIC & CREATIVE SOLUTION
• Understanding and implementing Brand Stewardship both as a philosophy and a process.
• Ensure all agency briefings will yield impactful creative solutions efficiently.
• Develop a strong partnership with the Creative & Strategic lead on each account based on a shared commitment to effective solutions.
• Facilitate first-time selling and timeous execution of creative and media solutions.
• AGENCY CULTURE
• Embody and practice the values of Ogilvy South Africa
• Understands how best to present the agency's work in a client forum to the best effect.
• Keep all relevant teams and Heads informed on client/account issues.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate for the role would have the following background:

• Min 8 years experience in an account servicing role working on a cross section of retail and brand comms
• Exposure to a digital environment
• A minimum of 3 years in a BD role managing and leading a team
• An understanding of all touchpoints relevant to consumers today
• Strong ability to control the financials and budgets

About you

• Comfortable in growing senior client relationships and business.
• Self-motivated with a high energy level, and an enthusiastic team-player
• Flexible and open to work in an agile and fast paced environment
• Self-reliant and accountable you should be able to take strategic control of all accounts within your portfolio.
• Skillful project management
   

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About the job Senior Strategist
Shape the future of brands

• Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for building brands that connect, inspire, endure and drive business results?
• Design Bridge and Partners, a leading global brand design agency within the WPP network, is searching for a talented and driven Senior Strategist to join our dynamic Johannesburg team. We're looking for someone who thrives on tackling complex challenges, inspiring teams, and delivering exceptional work for renowned brands.

In this role, you will:

• Lead diverse brand strategy projects from ideation to execution, including naming, positioning, brand architecture, and communications.
• Guide and mentor junior strategists, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• Confidently present strategic recommendations to senior clients, effectively communicating complex ideas and insights.
• Cultivate strong client relationships, proactively identifying opportunities to expand existing partnerships.
• Collaborate seamlessly with cross-functional teams across various Design Bridge and Partners offices globally.

We're looking for someone who has:

• 5+ years of experience in brand or communications strategy, demonstrating a deep understanding of core strategic principles.
• A proven track record of leading successful projects across multiple industries, showcasing a versatile and adaptable approach.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, capable of captivating audiences and inspiring action.
• A collaborative and solutions-oriented mindset, eager to contribute to a positive and supportive team culture.