Company Description

About Machine_  

Machine_ is a creative solutions agency represented across Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, and is home to over 75 adventurous minds. At Machine_ we don’t believe that intuition and gut feel are enough. That’s why everything we do starts with an insight. Our team of experts uses these insights to create impactful and accountable solutions that touch consumers at every point in their connected world. 

Machine_ is part of Publicis Groupe, one of the fastest-growing global networks. 

Machine’s mantra, Never Afraid, underpins our values of; doing the right thing, being curious, solution orientated and at its core ‘giving a s**t!’. Living this mantra daily helps grow our Clients’ businesses and these are the values we look for when recruiting new talent. The right personality is just as important as the right experience. We’re here to work hard and have fun while doing it. 

Job Description

This exciting role is for a Mid Integrated Strategist in our Johannesburg or Cape Town office. You will play a key role in developing integrated and digital communication strategies for clients in response to their expressed marketing challenges. If you have the appetite to make work that works, lead established brands, and partner with creatives to drive ideas that breaks boundaries, this is the opportunity to connect with us.

You will lead day-to-day strategic thinking, requirements and discussions surrounding your brands internally, with partner agencies, and with clients. You will be responsible for setting and directing the measurement of key performance indicators and ensuring that creative, channel and platform execution is aligned to the overall approved strategy. You will assist with mentoring junior team members, assisting the head of department to drive proactive work together with the creative teams, and be proactive in establishing sound relationships with clients.

Above skills, talents and experience, we want great people. That’s how we build our culture where everyone is a critical partner in creating phenomenal work.

So we need a person who is…

OptimisticLoves to laughEmpatheticPassionate about your work, passionate about your lifeMatureOpen-minded and curiousProblem solver and deadline-drivenProactiveConfidentHonest and accountableHigh performer and self-aware

What you will be doing…

Be a brand custodian on the agency’s client brandsArticulate and interrogate client needs based on the brand and business strategyGather research from various sources of information (desktop research, data platforms, social listening tools, web analytics tools, brand studies, case studies, audience analysis, people watching, living life etc.)Use research to develop refreshing and meaningful insights to shift behaviours in consumers, category and cultureDevelop strategically sound and innovative ways for ideas, experiences and campaigns to work within the client’s business context and brief requirementsUnderstand ATL, BTL and digital channels to enable end-to-end solutions for clientsDirect the strategy brief and collaborate constructively with internal creative, media, social and client service teams, as well as partner agencies and client teamsKeep abreast of current trends and industry best practice to inspire the wider agency and clients with added valueSupport reporting efforts with insights and recommendations and lead brand and competitor reviewsConstantly raise the standard of strategic output across all client accountsSupport, occasionally lead and present the outcome of strategic work for new business pitchesForm direct relationships with key clientsProactively monitor your clients’ brands and industries so that you are able to share with client and the team, positioning the agency as a thought leader and opening organic growth opportunities

Qualifications

Qualifications / Experience / Skills

A tertiary qualification is Marketing / Brand CommunicationAt least 6 years’ experience as TTL StrategistTTL & Digital experience (essential)Experience in developing, managing and presenting solutions within a creative environmentExcellent presentation skillsStrong time management and organizational skillsStrong multitasking skills (able to work on multiple briefs at any given time)Confidently proactive and drives projects to completionGood attention to detail and able to simplify complex information and conceptsAbility to manage strategy projects, a high performance environment, and navigate a fast-paced account effectivelyCollaborative, diligent and able to foster a respectful relationship with stakeholders of varying levels across the agency, the Groupe, agency partners and client teams

Additional Information

Personal Attributes

Team player with the ability to work independently

Able to remain calm in a highly pressurized environment

Proactive

 Assertive

Creative “out of the box” thinking

 A “can do” attitude and willingness to go the extra mile

Meticulous with attention to detail

 Accountable

 Resilient

 Reliable

 Strategic and creative problem solve

 Deadline driven

 Self-starter

 Adaptable to change and respond positively to new challenge

 Other:

Flexible to work beyond normal office hours (overtime if and when required)

Comfortable to work on alcohol brands (if and when required

Interested candidates must please submit a concise CV. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks after submitting your application, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

Publicis Groupe is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and prohibits any forms of Discrimination or Harassment. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees in line with our Employment Equity Plan. All appointments will be based on qualifications, experience and best fit but preference will be given to candidates from designated groups.