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.

Job Summary

You will lead the visual design and artistic direction of client projects at Smart Codes Ltd, ensuring all creative outputs are visually compelling, brand-aligned, and strategically effective. You will oversee the execution of design concepts, mentor the visual team, and collaborate closely with creative and strategy leads to deliver high-quality visual assets that meet client objectives and elevate the agency’s creative reputation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Visual Leadership & Creative Execution Lead the visual development of campaigns, from concept to final deliverable, ensuring alignment with creative briefs and brand guidelines. Direct designers, illustrators, and multimedia artists to produce high-quality visual assets across print, digital, and motion platforms. Provide clear artistic direction and constructive feedback throughout the design process to maintain visual excellence. Present visual concepts to internal teams and clients with clarity and strategic rationale.
2. Collaboration & Client Engagement Work closely with the Creative Director, copywriters, strategists, and account teams to ensure cohesive and effective creative outputs. Participate in client meetings and presentations to explain visual approaches, incorporate feedback, and build client confidence. Support new business pitches by developing compelling visual mockups, layouts, and prototypes.
3. Team Mentorship & Development Mentor and coach junior and mid-level designers, fostering skill development and creative growth. Promote a collaborative, innovative, and supportive team environment. Conduct regular creative reviews and provide training to elevate the team’s technical and conceptual abilities.
4. Project Management & Quality Assurance Oversee the production process for visual deliverables, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. Implement and enforce quality control processes for all visual assets before client submission. Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and resources effectively.
5. Technology & Innovation Stay updated on the latest design trends, tools, and software to ensure Smart Codes remains visually innovative. Advocate for the adoption of efficient design workflows, new technologies, and digital asset management best practices. Explore and integrate emerging visual techniques and AI-driven design tools where applicable.
6. Brand Consistency & Compliance Uphold brand integrity across all visual communications, ensuring consistency and alignment with client and company guidelines. Ensure all visual work complies with legal, regulatory, and accessibility standards. Performance Management & KPIs Ensure 95%+ of projects are delivered on time and within budget. Maintain a client satisfaction score of 4.5/5 or higher on visual deliverables. Achieve visual award recognition (local/regional) at least once per year. Lead at least 2 internal training sessions per quarter to upskill the design team. Maintain brand consistency across 100% of assigned projects.