Copywriter

Publicis Groupe · Johannesburg

Company description

Publicis Groupe Africa is a leading marketing, communications, and business transformation network operating across 36 African countries, combining creativity, technology, and local insight to deliver integrated client solutions.

Publicis Groupe Africa is part of Publicis Groupe, the second-largest communications group globally, founded in 1926. The African network operates as a partnership of 44 communications agencies with offices spanning 36 countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, and many others.

Its headquarters are in Johannesburg and Cape Town, providing a central hub for continental operations.

Overview

MID LEVEL COPYWRITER

Creative Concepts | Brand Voice | Storytelling | Integrated Content

THE OPPORTUNITY

Telecommunications is one of the most dynamic categories in the market, sitting at the intersection of technology, culture, connectivity, customer experience and everyday life. This role offers the opportunity to work with a leading telecommunications client and help shape the next generation of its agency partnership.

We are building a connected, future-fit model that brings together creativity, intelligence, data, technology, AI and world-class execution around the customer. It is an opportunity to influence the work and the capabilities we build, creating a partnership designed for today’s challenges and what comes next.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Mid Level Copywriter develops ideas and writes clear, distinctive copy that connects brand strategy with audience needs. The role contributes integrated concepts and creates compelling messaging across digital, social, film, audio, retail and other campaign formats.

Working with an art-direction partner and the Creative Director, the Copywriter owns assigned writing deliverables from briefing through final approval. The role balances imagination with precision, adapts the brand voice to different contexts and uses feedback to strengthen both the idea and its execution.

Responsibilities

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGY

Interrogate briefs to understand the business objective, audience, proposition, desired response and mandatory information.
Develop campaign concepts with art directors and other disciplines, exploring different routes and the role each channel can play.
Use cultural insight, customer understanding and research to create relevant ideas; contribute proactively to brainstorms and pitches.

COPY CRAFT AND BRAND VOICE

Write and refine headlines, campaign lines, scripts, social posts, digital content, calls to action and longer copy as required by the brief.
Define or apply the campaign tone of voice consistently, adapting length, structure and language to the audience and platform.
Check grammar, spelling, factual accuracy and consistency; confirm product details, claims and mandatory wording with the appropriate approvers.

PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY QUALITY

Prepare copy decks, scripts and presentation materials with clear version control and a complete view of required deliverables.
Participate in relevant recordings, shoots and edit reviews to help preserve the idea, voice and meaning through production.
Manage concurrent writing assignments and review dates, act on agreed feedback and flag unclear requirements or timing risks early.

INTEGRATION AND CREATIVE COLLABORATION

Work with Strategy, Art Direction, Design, Media, UX and Technology so copy and imagery communicate one coherent idea.
Explain the rationale for concepts and language choices in internal reviews and client presentations, with senior support where needed.
Use campaign learning and audience feedback to improve subsequent work, and share writing references and proactive creative opportunities.

AI CAPABILITY AND FUTURE WAYS OF WORKING

Use approved AI tools for research, ideation, copy exploration and adaptation; write effective prompts and substantially edit outputs for originality, accuracy, tone of voice and audience relevance.
Demonstrate effective prompting, iteration and critical evaluation. Use only approved tools and data; protect client information and intellectual property, check rights and provenance where relevant, and retain human accountability for final work.
Identify appropriate AI use cases, share practical learning and measure improvements in quality, speed or effectiveness. Recognise tool limitations and escalate uncertain, inaccurate or inappropriate outputs.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS

Original, relevant concepts and copy that meet the brief and support the desired response.
A consistent brand voice across formats, with accurate and carefully proofread work.
Reliable delivery of complete copy requirements and fewer avoidable corrections.
Effective creative partnership and growing confidence in presenting ideas.
AI-supported writing that improves exploration or delivery while maintaining distinctive ideas, accuracy and brand voice.

CRITICAL CAPABILITIES

Conceptual thinking, storytelling and versatile writing craft.
Tone-of-voice judgement, editing and close attention to language.
Cultural awareness and understanding of digital and integrated campaigns.
Clear communication, receptiveness to feedback and independent task management.
Effective prompting, AI-assisted writing and rigorous editorial evaluation.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

At least three to four years of relevant copywriting experience in an agency or comparable creative environment.
A portfolio showing at least two strong conceptual projects and at least one example of digital thinking.
Strong written English and evidence of adapting copy across different formats, audiences and tones.
Working proficiency in Word and presentation software such as PowerPoint or Keynote; experience with scripts and production is advantageous.
Hands-on experience applying AI tools to copywriting or creative development, with examples showing your original thinking, editorial judgement and verification process.

Additional information

Publicis Groupe Africa is 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. Interested candidates must please submit a concise CV including a link to your portfolio if necessary. 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 VALUES

Trust through respect, transparency and accountability. Talent through collaboration, development and high standards. Transformation through curiosity, continuous learning and improvements that create value for clients.