Senior Copywriter
Location: Cape Town OR Johannesburg, South Africa
Employment Type: Permanent
Hybrid - 3 days in office and 2 remote

Role Overview
We are looking for a highly conceptual Senior Copywriter to join a leading global creative agency and work on a major international beauty and personal care account.
Working in partnership with a Senior Art Director, you will develop bold campaign ideas and lead the messaging across digital, social and broader through-the-line channels. The role requires someone who can combine original thinking, strategic insight and exceptional written craft across multiple formats and global markets.
Key Responsibilities

• Develop original campaign concepts alongside a Senior Art Director.
• Lead brainstorms and translate strategic briefs into compelling creative ideas.
• Create campaign lines, headlines, scripts and brand messaging.
• Develop ideas that extend beyond standard social executions into larger campaign platforms.
• Write across digital, social and broader through-the-line channels.
• Maintain a clear and consistent brand voice across different formats.
• Collaborate closely with Art Directors and Designers to ensure copy and visuals work together.
• Adapt ideas and messaging across different platforms, audiences and markets.
• Work with creators and influencers where relevant.
• Research audience insights, cultural trends and competitor activity.
• Present creative concepts and explain the strategic thinking behind the work.
• Refine copy and creative ideas in response to feedback.
• Mentor and support junior and mid-level writers.

Experience Required

• At least 7 years of copywriting experience within a creative or advertising agency.
• Recent experience operating at Senior Copywriter level.
• A standout portfolio demonstrating strong conceptual thinking and written craft.
• Experience developing big campaign ideas, not only standalone social or content copy.
• Strong digital and social experience combined with through-the-line capability.
• Experience writing across different campaign formats, styles and scales.
• Strong command of English, grammar and tone of voice.
• Confidence presenting and selling creative ideas to clients and stakeholders.
• Experience collaborating closely with Art Directors and multidisciplinary creative teams.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior creative talent.
• Global brand or international campaign experience is highly desirable.
• Creator and influencer campaign experience would be beneficial.
• Relevant industry experience may include beauty, personal care, FMCG, retail, fashion, luxury or other consumer brands.

Portfolio Requirements
The portfolio should demonstrate:

• Big campaign thinking and original concepts.
• Strong strategic reasoning behind the creative idea.
• Memorable headlines, campaign lines and messaging.
• Digital, social and through-the-line campaign experience.
• Excellent written craft and attention to detail.
• A broad variety of styles, tones and campaign scales.
• Global or international campaign work where possible.

Portfolio quality will be prioritised over direct category experience.

Sphere Digital Recruitment currently have a variety of job opportunities across digital so feel free to get in touch with us to find out how we can help you. Please take a look at our website.

Sphere is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications regardless of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation, and any other protected status as required by applicable law.

If you require any adjustments or additional support during the recruitment process for any reason whatsoever, please let us know.