Skip to main content
← Back to search
O

Senior Copywriter

Ogilvy

Salary undisclosed

Cape Town, WC, South Africa; Johannesburg, South AfricaFull-timeOn-siteadvanced

Need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview? Contact us.

JobMinglr uses automated technology to recommend jobs based on profile information and job preferences. Match Score does not determine eligibility for a position, prevent a user from viewing or applying to a job, or make hiring decisions on behalf of an employer.

Description

About Ogilvy  

Ogilvy, part of WPP, has been creating impact for brands through iconic, culture-changing, value-driving ideas since the company was founded by David Ogilvy 75 years ago. It builds on that rich legacy through Borderless Creativity – innovating at the intersections of its advertising, public relations, relationship design, consulting, and health capabilities with experts collaborating seamlessly across over 120 offices in nearly 90 countries. Ogilvy currently ranks as the #1 global agency network for creative excellence and effectiveness by WARC, signifying its ability to deliver creative solutions that drive unreasonable impact for clients and communities. Ogilvy is a WPP company (NYSE: WPP). For more information, visit Ogilvy.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

 

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

We are looking for a Senior Copywriter

As a Senior Copywriter, you will play a key role in developing and executing creative concepts and copy for multiple brands. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including art directors, strategists, and account managers, to create compelling and engaging copy that aligns with the brand's tone and style. Your expertise in conceptualization and extensive experience in social first, will ensure the successful delivery of captivating campaigns that resonate with the target audience.

 Responsibilities

  • Collaborate within a creative team to develop innovative and impactful concepts.
  • Craft compelling and engaging copy for various platforms, including social media, websites, blogs, email marketing, digital advertising, radio and OOH.
  • Ensure all copy aligns with the brand's voice and tone, while effectively communicating key messages and brand values.
  • Collaborate closely with art directors and designers to ensure seamless integration of copy and visuals in the final campaign deliverables.
  • Conduct thorough research on industry trends, consumer insights, and competitor analysis to inform and enhance your creative approach.
  • Provide guidance and mentorship to junior copywriters, fostering a collaborative and creative work environment.
  • Create presentations to present and articulate your ideas effectively to internal stakeholders and clients, incorporating feedback and making revisions as needed.
  • Stay up-to-date with emerging trends, social media platforms, and industry best practices to continually improve your craft and contribute to the agency's growth.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Bachelor's degree in advertising, marketing, communications, or a related field.
  • Proven experience as a Copywriter, with a focus on conceptualization
  • Strong portfolio showcasing your expertise in idea conceptualization and your ability to create compelling and impactful copy across various platforms.
  • Exceptional writing skills with a creative flair, able to craft persuasive and emotionally resonant copy.
  • Ability to think conceptually and generate innovative ideas that push the boundaries of campaigns.
  • Proficiency in English with excellent grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
  • Familiarity with SEO best practices and the ability to optimize copy for search engines.
  • Strong attention to detail and the ability to deliver high-quality work within tight deadlines.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively present and explain your ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Experience writing for the broader South African Market
  • Proven track record of working within a creative team

Experience mentoring and providing guidance to junior copywriters is a plus.
Experience working in other markets in Africa is a plus.
Languages other than English related to SA also a plus.
Experience in Alcohol space is preferred.

Note: The job spec refers to a senior copywriter role with conceptual experience for a global alcohol brand, within C2 in Social Lab, part of Ogilvy South Africa.

About you

  • Excellent interpersonal and communications skills
  • Highly organized in thought and action
  • Strong time management and organizational abilities
  • Demonstrated ability to manage large projects with multiple priorities
  • Able to work well within a team

Offer

  • Full-time job within a growing and trendsetting agency
  • Global client portfolio
  • Attractive package and benefits
  • Continuous trainings. Career conversation and growing opportunities
  • Flexible homeworking policy

At Ogilvy, our people are at the heart of what we do: a creative agency that sparks game-changing ideas across culture and business through collaboration, integrity, and a celebration of self-expression. 

We believe in building powerful teams with purpose - and we relentlessly curate transformative initiatives that make our commitment to fairness, and equity a reality. 

Our ultimate mission is to leave a positive impact on the world, creating a better future for all, while supporting and uplifting the global communities we serve.  This is central to our mantra of Borderless Creativity.

Ogilvy is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

If you need any assistance seeking a job opportunity, or if you need reasonable accommodation with the application process, please contact us at accommodations@ogilvy.com. Please note that this contact is only for candidates who are requesting accommodation. Emails for other purposes, including application status requests, will not receive a response.

About this role

At Ogilvy's Cape Town office, you'd be developing creative copy and concepts for a global alcohol brand within their Social Lab team. The role demands strong conceptual thinking paired with practical multi-platform writing skills—you'd craft copy for social media, websites, email, radio, and out-of-home advertising while ensuring it aligns with brand voice and resonates with South African audiences. Close collaboration with art directors, strategists, and account managers is central to the work, as is staying current with social trends and platform shifts.

This is a senior position that includes mentoring junior copywriters and presenting ideas to stakeholders and clients. You'll need a degree in advertising, marketing, or communications, proven copywriting experience with a portfolio demonstrating conceptual strength, and solid SEO knowledge. Proficiency in English, attention to detail under deadline pressure, and the ability to manage multiple priorities are non-negotiable. Experience in the alcohol industry is preferred, as is familiarity with the broader South African market and African markets more broadly.

Ogilvy offers a full-time role within a globally ranked creative network, competitive benefits, continuous training, and career development opportunities. The position includes a flexible homeworking policy alongside in-office collaboration in Cape Town.

Typical pay for this role

$100,000

Typical range: $80,000 to $120,000

This role's local market on JobMinglr

Pay for this role

The employer didn't post a pay range for this role. That usually means pay is set in negotiation, which favors whoever arrives with numbers. Check ranges on comparable Senior Copywriter postings in Cape Town, and analyze any offer before you accept it.

How JobMinglr reads this job

Every listing here is scored against your profile before you apply: skills overlap, experience level, location and work arrangement, each weighted and explained. You see the score and the reasons, not just a list. How the matching works.