Senior Art Director

About SmartCodes

SmartCodes is a leading pan-African hybrid marketing agency delivering creative innovation, media planning and buying, experiential activations, public relations, and integrated 360° campaigns. We forge new paths where technology meets consumer insight.

Key Responsibilities

1. Visual & Creative Leadership

• Lead the visual strategy and artistic direction for key client accounts and new business pitches.
• Develop compelling visual concepts, campaigns, and brand systems that align with client objectives and creative briefs.
• Oversee the end-to-end visual execution across all media—print, digital, social, video, experiential, and motion.
• Ensure all creative outputs are innovative, brand-consistent, and of the highest quality.

2. Team Mentorship & Development

• Mentor, coach, and inspire a team of designers, illustrators, and visual artists.
• Foster a collaborative, creative, and high-performance team culture.
• Conduct regular creative reviews, provide constructive feedback, and facilitate skill development.
• Identify training needs and organize workshops to elevate the team’s technical and conceptual abilities.

3. Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a key visual lead in client presentations, articulating creative rationale and strategic vision.
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Creative Directors, Strategists, and Account Leads to ensure creative alignment and client satisfaction.
• Present and defend creative work with confidence and clarity.

4. Project Oversight & Quality Assurance

• Oversee multiple projects from concept to delivery, ensuring they are on time, on budget, and on brand.
• Implement and enforce rigorous quality control processes for all visual deliverables.
• Manage resource allocation, workflow, and timelines in collaboration with project management teams.
• Troubleshoot creative and production challenges proactively.

5. Business & Creative Strategy

• Contribute to the creative vision and strategic direction of the agency.
• Support new business efforts by leading visual concepting and pitch development.
• Drive creative innovation that supports client growth and agency reputation.
• Stay informed on industry trends, competitor activity, and emerging visual technologies.

6. Operational Excellence

• Optimize design workflows, tools, and processes to improve efficiency and output quality.
• Manage the visual asset library and ensure brand consistency across all touchpoints.
• Uphold compliance with brand guidelines, legal standards, and accessibility requirements.
  
  

Performance Expectations & KPIs

• Achieve a client satisfaction score of 4.7/5 or higher on visual deliverables.
• Ensure 95%+ of projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Lead visual contributions to at least 3 new business wins per year.
• Mentor and develop 4+ team members into more senior roles within 18 months.
• Secure regional or industry award recognition annually for visual excellence.
• Maintain 100% brand consistency across supervised projects.