61032269130 - Brand Design Director
Somewhere
🇿🇦 Hirezar Summary for South African Applicants
This fully remote full time position at Somewhere is open to applicants from South Africa. The estimated monthly salary is R64,750 – R101,750 ZAR. This role is suited for senior-level professionals. As a remote position, you can work from anywhere in South Africa — whether you're based in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, or a smaller town.
Job Description
Design Director
About Us
We partner with high-growth startups and venture-backed companies to deliver world-class brand strategy, creative execution, and digital experiences. Our studio combines exceptional creative talent with strategic thinking to help ambitious companies build category-defining brands.
We're looking for a Design Director who can combine exceptional creative execution with leadership, strategic thinking, and client partnership.
This is a unique opportunity to join a small but ambitious creative studio and play a meaningful role in shaping both the work and the future of the team.
About the Role
As Design Director, you'll lead the development of sophisticated brand identities and digital experiences while helping guide creative direction across client engagements.
This role remains highly hands-on. We're looking for someone who still loves designing but can also own larger projects, contribute to creative leadership, and confidently engage with clients.
The ideal candidate has a world-class portfolio, strong strategic instincts, and experience leading creative work from concept through execution.
Responsibilities
Creative Leadership
* Lead the creative development of branding and design engagements
* Establish visual direction and ensure quality across projects
* Guide creative decisions from concept through final delivery
* Collaborate closely with creative leadership across design and copy
Brand Identity & Systems
* Create and oversee the development of visual identity systems
* Translate brand strategy into compelling creative solutions
* Ensure consistency and excellence across all brand touchpoints
* Raise the overall creative standard of the studio
Client Partnership
* Present creative work to clients
* Explain strategic rationale and creative decisions
* Participate in client workshops, discussions, and presentations
* Build trusted relationships with founders, operators, and stakeholders
Team & Project Leadership
* Own larger, more complex engagements
* Provide feedback and creative guidance to other designers and collaborators
* Help establish scalable creative processes and workflows
* Support the continued growth and evolution of the studio
AI & Creative Innovation
* Leverage AI tools throughout the creative process
* Explore emerging technologies and workflows that improve creative output
* Help define how AI can be integrated into branding and design work while maintaining exceptional quality
Qualifications
Required
* Exceptional portfolio demonstrating world-class brand identity work
* Significant experience leading branding and design projects
* Strong strategic thinking and creative problem-solving abilities
* Experience presenting and defending creative work to clients
* Outstanding typography, visual systems, and design fundamentals
* Ability to independently lead projects from strategy through execution
* Strong communication and leadership skills
Preferred
* Agency leadership experience
* Experience working with technology, SaaS, or venture-backed companies
* Experience mentoring designers or leading creative teams
* Strong website and digital design capabilities
* Experience integrating AI into creative workflows
* Portuguese language skills are a plus
Application Requirements
Please include:
* Portfolio website
* Brand identity case studies
* Examples of client-facing work or creative leadership
* Examples of digital or website work
* Brief description of how you currently leverage AI within your creative process
Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.
Tips for South African Applicants
Timezone Advantage
South Africa (SAST, UTC+2) overlaps well with European business hours and has a few hours of overlap with US East Coast. Mention your timezone flexibility in your application.
Salary in Context
At R64,750/month, this role pays well above the average South African remote salary. The USD equivalent ($3,500/mo) benefits from the favourable exchange rate.
Application Tips
Tailor your CV to international standards — use a clean format, highlight remote work experience, and include your English proficiency. Many SA applicants succeed by emphasising their strong work ethic and cultural adaptability.
Load Shedding Preparedness
If you're applying for a remote role, having a backup power solution (UPS, inverter, or generator) and mobile data as a backup internet connection shows employers you're prepared for South Africa's infrastructure challenges.
About Somewhere
Somewhere is a company in the Recruitment & Staffing industry that hires remote workers from South Africa. They currently have 748 open positions on Hirezar. View all Somewhere jobs →