About the position
Creative Ad Designer (Independent Contractor - Remote, Full-Time)
Location: Remote (South Africa)
Contract: Independent Contractor, month-to-month (Full-Time Position).
Hours: 09:00-17:00 SAST, Mon-Fri (1-hour unpaid lunch)
About the Role
North Desk Media needs a deadline-driven, quality, Graphic/AD Designer and Video Editor to produce high-performing static and short-form video creatives for paid social and create high converting landing pages. You'll work alongside our senior creative strategist to turn briefs into on-brand assets, fast.
What You'll Do
- Design static ads (Canva/Photoshop) and short-form videos (DaVinci Resolve/Premiere or equivalent).
- Deliver platform-ready ratios with correct file specs.
- Version, iterate, and export multiple formats per concept (CTA, headline, image swaps).
- Follow a tight feedback, revise, re-export loop during work hours.
- Keep brand consistency, legibility, and thumb-stop power across all assets.
- Design high converting landing pages in Wordpress, Tilda, Canva.
Timelines & SLAs (non-negotiable)
- Same-day turnarounds for minor changes (copy tweaks, colour/logo/image swaps or quick iterations) if requested before 15:00 SAST.
- 24-48 hours for major revisions (new layout, footage changes, timing among other deliverables).
- Daily output target: typically 5-8 static assets or 2-3 short videos (or a sensible mix), depending on brief complexity. When projects involve simple duplication or minor edits, this may reasonably increase to 10-20 variations per day or greater.
- You own time management and proactively flag blockers early (no surprises).
- Missed deadlines without prior escalation may end the contract immediately (no work, no pay for undelivered items).
- Expectations will always be fair, realistic, and structured to set you up for success, not failure. Our goal is to provide clear direction and achievable targets that you can consistently meet by simply following briefs and instructions accurately.
Reliability Requirements
- Stable high-speed internet and a power backup solution (UPS/inverter) are mandatory.
- In the event of technical failure, you are expected to relocate temporarily (e.g., coworking space or café with reliable power and internet) to maintain continuity, at your own cost.
- You must remain fully focused on assigned briefs during working hours; no parallel client work that interferes with delivery is permitted.
- Clear, prompt communication via Slack and Monday is essential at all times.
- While standard hours are 09:00-17:00 SAST, there may be occasional expectations to deliver outside normal working hours depending on project urgency or task complexity. These instances are infrequent but important, and consistent communication around such deadlines is critical.
- Meeting deadlines and good performance will be rewarded with monetary, discretionary bonuses.
Tools & Workflow
- Design: Canva (primary design tool), and the full Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro) or Affinity if you prefer.
- Design in Wordpress, Tilda. Basic web developer knowledge required.
- Video Editing: DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, After Effects (for motion graphics and animations).
- Project Management & Communication: Monday, Slack, Google Drive.
- File Management: Adherence to clean file naming conventions, well-organised folder structures, and proper handover of all source files and project links upon completion.
- You must have access to your own software and hardware and pay your own subscriptions accordingly. North Desk Media will pay and provide access to a VPN and Canva Pro.
What Success Looks Like (first 30 days)
- Week 1: Onboard, learn brand, ship first 8-12 static variants + 3-5 short videos that clear QA without rework.
- Week 2/4: Hit SLA every day, ship testable variants for major campaigns per week, maintain consistent CTR-minded design.
Must-Haves
- Reasonable "years" in social ad design/video for paid media and web design.
- Portfolio showing thumb-stop creatives, both static and video content.
- Strong layout/typography and export discipline.
- Strong Web Design knowledge and execution.
- Excellent time management and communication.
- SA-based, able to work 09:00-17:00 SAST (On occasion, work may be required outside standard hours to meet project deadlines or address urgent deliverables.).
Contract & Payment
- Contract Type: Independent Contractor (Full-Time). You are responsible for your own accounting, taxes, and statutory obligations.
- Compensation: R9 528.00 - R11 286.00 per month (with discretionary performance bonuses).
- Invoicing: Submitted monthly; renewals are performance-based.
- Payment Basis: Compensation is for services rendered and accepted deliverables only.
- Leave & Absences: As this is an independent contractor agreement, there are no formal provisions for paid leave, sick days, or public-holiday pay. However, North Desk Media extends a 2-week paid leave allowance per contract year as a gesture of goodwill. This allowance may be taken as either vacation leave or sick leave, provided it is pre-approved in writing and does not disrupt agreed project timelines or deliverables. Any additional absences outside of this allowance will be unpaid unless otherwise agreed in writing.
- Performance Accountability: Poor time management or missed deadlines that result in the failure to deliver agreed outcomes may lead to partial or no payment for that period. Contractors are expected to manage their workload effectively and communicate proactively if delays arise.
How to Apply
Email with:
- Subject: Creative Ad Designer - Your Name
- Portfolio links (Facebook/TikTok ads preferred) or PDF Portfolio with drive link to videos produced etc along with your CV.
- A 1-paragraph note on your workflow + hardware + internet speed + power backup
- Earliest start date
Desired Skills:
- Canva
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- DaVinci Resolve
- Motion graphics
- Video editing
- Short-form video
- B-roll sourcing
- Text overlays
- Color grading
- Audio sync
- Social media ads
- Facebook Ads
- TikTok Ads
- YouTube Shorts
- Export presets
- Static ad design
- Layout & typography
- Brand consistency
- Creative versioning
- Landing page design
- WordPress
- Tilda
- Basic HTML/CSS
- File naming conventions
- Google Drive
- Slack
- Monday.com
- Time management
- Deadline management
- QA checking
- Remote work readiness
- Power backup (UPS/Inverter)
Desired Work Experience:
About The Employer:
North Desk Media is a creative strategy and digital production company that builds high-performing marketing assets for U.S. and South African brands. We specialise in conversion-driven ad design, video editing, and landing page development for social media campaigns.
Our team values reliability, speed, and creative precision. Every project is built on clear briefs, consistent communication, and measurable results. We provide a professional, supportive remote environment where accountability and quality work are recognised and rewarded.
Employer & Job Benefits:
- Performance-based bonuses
- Clear briefs
- Remote work
- Portfolio credit for completed work
