We are one of South Africa’s leading full-service digital agencies, delivering best-in-class strategy, creative, and technology. We work with some of the country’s leading brands.  We are experts in the full range of digital disciplines including the web, mobile, social, CRM and SEO/SEM.  The agency is young, dynamic, and growing rapidly and we are constantly looking for a great digital professional who really wants to make a major impact on the digital landscape.

We are seeking a senior and experienced Digital Strategist to drive innovative and highly effective digital marketing strategies for our clients as well as act as a thought leader for the agency within the digital community in South Africa. Excellent client management, strategic thinking, and executive communication skills are required.  This is one of the most senior positions within the agency.

Position summary: our digital strategist ensures highly innovative, strategic thinking which is applied to clients’ digital plans and helps lead the whole agency to create truly groundbreaking digital strategies. This is a leadership role and she/he collaborates and partners with agency professionals, clients, and our partners.

An important function of the digital strategy manager is to improve and maximise the agency’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the areas of digital marketing and technology-driven marketing initiatives. This is not about creating or sustaining a separate ‘digital department’, but rather serving as a resource, advisor, mentor, and evangelist in the organisation.

The digital strategist will leverage their deep understanding of how to execute digital campaigns (web, mobile, social, CRM, SEO) working with our creative, technical, and client service teams.

In addition, a key role of the digital strategy director will be to provide thought leadership to our staff, clients, and the wider digital and marketing community. Key aspects of this role will be client workshops, knowledge shares with staff, public speaking at industry events, blogging, etc.  

Duties and responsibilities:

• Working with the rest of the client team, help define the scope and recommended an approach for major digital projects for clients.
• Play an advisory role on client engagements, serving as a digital strategy advisor to both account leads (internal) and clients (external).
• Serve as a thought leader in aligning digital marketing strategy with a client’s business goals and objectives.
• Drive high-level discussions on the role of digital within the total marketing ecosystem.
• Working with the leaders of the client team, help convince clients of the value of digital marketing services to their business – help them define needs and potential solutions.
• Effective use of research tools to define target audiences and optimise marketing and media plans.
• Demonstrated expertise in online advertising, co-marketing/partnership programs and integrated campaigns.
• Researching, identifying and compiling competitive insights to guide and optimise digital marketing efforts.
• Perform detailed evaluation of client business environment including customer needs, capabilities/assets, and competitive realities to identify unique market opportunities and threats
• Lead the design of insight driven digital strategies from opportunity identification through to experience definition. Structure and present recommendations to senior client leadership for approval.
• Partner with creative, technology, analytics and account management to ensure successful project handoff and work is appropriately positioned for long-term success.
• Contribute to or lead new business development, recruiting, team skill development, and digital ‘evangelisation’ initiatives
• Thought leadership to our staff, clients, and the wider digital and marketing community.  Key aspects of this role will be client workshops, knowledge shares with staff, public speaking at industry events, blogging, etc.       

Requirements:

• Six+ years’ experience in strategy consulting and/or marketing strategy across multiple industries (e.g. automotive, financial services, retailing and consumer goods) or in an agency environment.
• Minimum three years’ professional experience developing a digital marketing strategy, project managing digital programs and online advertising campaigns; prefer large brand experience. With demonstrated experience.
• Strong passion for and knowledge of technology, emerging media and the Internet; specific interactive strategy experience required
• Exceptional team player with the confidence and integrity to earn client and internal team confidence quickly
• Excellent presentation, public speaking and deck writing skills
• Ability to thrive in a fluid and entrepreneurial environment
• Regional travel of 25% expected
• MBA and management consulting experience a plus
• Bachelor’s degree
• Strong, effective business professional communication and client presentation skills; preferred previous experience in presenting to clients from an agency perspective.
• Solid understanding of traditional marketing principles and how they apply to the digital medium.
• Strong understanding of digital marketing and success factors.
• Preferred five or more years’ experience in client-centred, agency environment (i.e. fast-paced, client or brand-centric professional experiences).
• Creative ability and passionate interest in creating powerful digital marketing plans that meet client objectives.

If you are interested in applying for this great opportunity, please send your CV to

az.oc.ecirouqil@rh

using the reference mentioned above. Please do not send any additional documentation.

Please note we reserve the right to freeze or not hire in the role.

Should you not receive a response from us within three weeks of your application, unfortunately, your application has been unsuccessful.

Posted on 08 Aug 15:15