Creative Operations Project Lead

Anticipated Contract End Date/Length: 12 months, with potential to extend.
Work set up: Hybrid (Cape Town office)

Our client in the financial services industry is looking for a Creative Operations Project Lead to support the in-house Creative and Design Centre of Excellence. The role is central to managing project workflows and overseeing the production of diverse marketing collateral, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and identity. This position involves leading end-to-end project management of creative outputs, shaping briefs, coordinating responses, and driving best-practice workflows across internal teams and external partners to deliver high-quality, consistent results.

What you will do:

• Manage the full lifecycle of creative briefs and projects, from initial concept to final delivery.
• Allocate projects based on team expertise, availability, and budget.
• Collaborate with marketing stakeholders during ideation, facilitating kick-off meetings, attending channel updates, gathering assets, and securing approvals.
• Develop and refine brand planning processes, systems, and timelines to support marketing goals.
• Produce daily and weekly project status reports, keeping the in-house agency informed.
• Ensure consistent application of the brand across all creative assets.
• Ensure all materials meet regulatory standards, with a focus on clarity, fairness, and accuracy.
• Provide guidance on brand, copy, and design to maintain consistency in corporate identity.
• Proactively identify and resolve project barriers to maintain momentum.
• Oversee project administration including brief writing, scheduling, resource planning, stakeholder coordination, proofreading, supplier liaison, budget tracking, and invoice processing.
• Act as office manager for the Creative & Design team, leading with confidence and clarity.
• Support team wellness and morale, fostering a positive and inclusive working environment.
• Serve as a connection point between multiple locations, promoting collaboration and cohesion across teams.
• Confidently challenge direction when needed, offering constructive alternatives and ensuring alignment with strategic goals.