Paid Video / Ad Creative Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Paid Video / Ad Creative Designer

Company: Activate Talent

Location: Kenya

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-02-25

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Focus on performance-driven creative development for paid advertising campaigns, specifically for Meta and Google platforms.

• Drive continuous improvement in ad creatives through rapid iteration and the development of high-volume variations.

• Contribute directly to key performance metrics such as Click-Through Rate (CTR), Conversion Rate (CVR), and thumbstop performance.

• Collaborate with marketing teams to align creative concepts with specific audiences and campaign objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the broader GTM (Go-To-Market) and Marketing Operations function, focusing on the critical intersection of creative execution and performance marketing. The emphasis on "performance-first creative thinking" and "iteration at scale" strongly suggests a need for operational efficiency in creative production and a data-driven approach to design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Optimize existing top-performing video and static ad creatives for Meta and Google platforms to maximize engagement and conversion.

• Conceptualize and design entirely new ad creative concepts tailored to specific audience segments and unique value propositions.

• Generate a high volume of creative variations (mutations) for A/B testing and performance analysis.

• Ensure all creative output is strategically aligned with improving CTR, CVR, and thumbstop performance metrics.

• Conduct rapid creative testing cycles to identify winning concepts and optimize campaign effectiveness.

• Analyze campaign performance data to derive insights that inform future creative development strategies.

• Maintain a deep understanding of paid advertising platform best practices and evolving creative trends.

• Collaborate closely with marketing and performance managers to ensure creative briefs are understood and creatively executed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can operate with both strategic creative vision and tactical execution speed, a hallmark of successful performance marketing creative roles. The emphasis on "high-volume variations" and "iteration at scale" points to a need for efficient workflows and a robust understanding of creative testing methodologies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, Marketing, or a related field is often preferred for roles requiring a strong understanding of design principles and marketing strategy. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in designing paid video and ad creatives, with a proven track record in performance marketing.

Required Skills:

• Performance-First Creative Thinking: Ability to design creatives with a primary focus on achieving measurable marketing objectives (CTR, CVR, ROI).

• Iteration At Scale: Demonstrated capacity to produce a high volume of creative variations and iterate rapidly based on performance data.

• Paid Platform Dynamics: Strong understanding of how creatives perform on major paid advertising platforms like Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and Google Ads.

• Video Editing & Motion Graphics: Proficiency in creating engaging video ad content, including editing, animation, and motion graphics.

• Graphic Design Principles: Solid grasp of visual design, typography, color theory, and layout for digital advertising.

• Adaptability & Speed: Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and respond quickly to changing campaign needs and performance feedback.

• Concept Development: Skill in brainstorming and developing original creative concepts that resonate with target audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with A/B testing frameworks for creative elements.

• Familiarity with analytics tools to interpret creative performance data.

• Basic understanding of copywriting principles for ad creatives.

• Experience with creative management platforms or asset libraries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Must-Have" skills are critical. The "ability to iterate quickly at scale" implies a need for efficient workflows and potentially template-based design approaches, rather than purely bespoke, time-consuming individual designs for every variation. Experience with performance marketing is paramount, distinguishing this from general graphic design roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Performance-Focused Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating how your creative work directly impacted key performance indicators (KPIs) like CTR, CVR, CPA, or ROAS. Quantify results with specific metrics.

• Creative Variation Examples: Include examples of ad creative variations (e.g., different headlines, CTAs, visuals, audience targeting) that you developed for A/B testing and optimization.

• Platform-Specific Examples: Highlight work created specifically for Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and Google Ads, demonstrating an understanding of each platform's creative requirements and best practices.

• Video Ad Demonstrations: Provide links or embedded examples of paid video ad campaigns you designed or significantly contributed to, showcasing your motion graphics and editing skills.

• Concept-to-Result: Illustrate the journey from initial creative concept development through to campaign launch and performance analysis.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your process for generating creative briefs, brainstorming concepts, developing variations, and incorporating performance feedback.

• Articulate your approach to managing a high volume of creative assets and maintaining version control.

• Explain how you use data and platform insights to inform creative decisions and optimize designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: A portfolio is critical for this role. It needs to go beyond simply showcasing aesthetic design skills. The emphasis must be on demonstrating a direct, quantifiable link between the creative work and business outcomes (performance metrics). The ability to articulate a structured, efficient, and data-informed creative process is essential.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Mid-Level Paid Video / Ad Creative Designer in Kenya working US hours, a competitive salary range would typically fall between KES 2,400,000 - KES 4,000,000 annually (approximately $20,000 - $33,000 USD). This range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for remote creative roles supporting US-based operations, factoring in cost of living in Kenya and the specialized skills required.

Benefits:

• Remote Work Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom of working from anywhere within Kenya.

• US Working Hours Alignment: Opportunity to align with US business hours, potentially leading to higher compensation and exposure to global markets.

• Professional Development: Access to learning resources, potential for training on new creative tools, and exposure to cutting-edge performance marketing strategies.

• Health & Wellness: Details would need to be confirmed, but typically include health insurance provisions or allowances, especially for full-time roles.

• Paid Time Off: Standard vacation days, public holidays, and sick leave, adhering to Kenyan labor laws and potentially company policy.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, aligned with US business hours. This may require some flexibility for overlap with US teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on combining general remote worker compensation data for Kenya with specific benchmarks for creative roles in performance marketing. The "US Hours" requirement often commands a premium as it allows for direct collaboration with key stakeholders in a major market. Benefits will vary significantly by employer and should be confirmed.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Staffing & Recruitment / Talent Acquisition Solutions. Activate Talent specializes in sourcing and placing professionals, particularly within the digital marketing and creative sectors.

Company Size: Activate Talent likely operates as a specialized recruitment agency, meaning their internal team size might be moderate (e.g., 50-200 employees), but they serve a much larger client base with diverse needs.

Founded: Information not readily available, but their operational model suggests a company established to meet the growing demand for specialized talent in the digital economy.

Team Structure: The designer will likely be part of a client's marketing team, managed by a Marketing Manager or Performance Marketing Lead. Activate Talent may provide oversight and support, but the day-to-day reporting will be to the client. The operations team structure within the client company would typically involve collaboration with performance marketers, brand managers, and potentially other creative specialists.

Methodology: The client's approach will be heavily data-driven and performance-oriented. The creative process will be iterative, with a strong emphasis on A/B testing and continuous optimization based on campaign results. This methodology requires a designer who is comfortable with rapid feedback loops and data analysis informing creative output.

Company Website: https://jobs.workable.com/company/kHFKsfd3NDgpPnY3GcwgQ2/jobs-at-activate-talent (Company career page)

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Activate Talent's role as a recruiter is key. The designer will be placed with one of their clients. The "company culture" and "team structure" described here are thus a blend of Activate Talent's operational focus and the likely environment of their client, a company that runs paid advertising.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Mid-Level role, suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of focused experience in performance creative design. It's a hands-on execution role with significant responsibility for campaign success metrics.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to a Marketing Manager or a Performance Marketing Lead at the client company. They will collaborate closely with performance marketers and potentially other creative team members.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and measurable impact on revenue generation through improved ad performance. Successful creatives directly influence customer acquisition costs (CAC), conversion rates, and overall return on ad spend (ROAS), making this a critical function within a performance marketing operation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Creative Designer/Art Director: Advance to lead creative strategy, manage junior designers, and oversee larger creative projects.

• Performance Marketing Specialist: Transition into a broader marketing role with a deeper focus on campaign strategy, analytics, and media buying.

• Creative Operations Manager: Move into a role focused on optimizing the creative production workflow, managing creative agencies, and implementing creative management tools.

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a specific platform (e.g., Meta creative expert) or creative format (e.g., advanced video editing, animation).

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a performance creative designer is often tied to demonstrating a strong understanding of marketing strategy and business impact, not just design aesthetics. The ability to analyze performance data and translate it into actionable creative insights is crucial for career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This role is designed for individuals who thrive in an independent work environment and can manage their own time effectively.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, candidates must be based in Kenya to comply with local labor regulations and potential payment structures.

Workspace Context:

• Home Office Setup: Candidates are expected to have a reliable internet connection, a suitable workspace, and necessary personal equipment (computer, software).

• Digital Collaboration: The work will involve extensive use of digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Asana, Google Workspace) for communication and project management.

• Client-Specific Tools: Access to client-specific creative software and potentially project management systems will be provided or expected.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) aligned with US business hours. This means the candidate will be working during the daytime in Kenya but corresponding with teams operating in US time zones. This requires strong self-discipline and time management to ensure effective communication and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "US Hours" requirement is significant for a remote role in Kenya. It implies a need for strong communication skills across time zones and a willingness to adapt to an international working schedule. This can be a unique benefit for exposure and potentially higher compensation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with Activate Talent to assess basic qualifications, experience, and fit.

• Portfolio Review & Creative Challenge: A more in-depth interview with the client's hiring manager or marketing team. This will likely involve a review of your portfolio, focusing on performance metrics and creative process. You may be given a small creative challenge or asked to present a case study.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a practical exercise or a deeper dive into your technical skills with design and video software.

• Final Interview: A conclusive conversation to discuss role fit, cultural alignment, and finalize terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Everything: For each project, present clear metrics on how your creative work impacted CTR, CVR, engagement rates, or sales. Use graphs or charts to visualize performance improvements.

• Showcase Iteration: Highlight examples where you tested multiple creative variations and explain the rationale behind each variation and the results.

• Explain Your Process: Be ready to walk through your design process from brief to execution, including how you incorporate feedback and data.

• Tailor Your Presentation: If possible, research the client's current advertising and tailor your presentation to showcase relevant skills and experience.

• Focus on Paid Media: Emphasize your experience with Meta and Google Ads, demonstrating an understanding of their specific creative requirements and best practices.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a creative brief that requires you to conceptualize and potentially mock up an ad concept for a specific audience and objective.

• Practice articulating your creative strategy, the rationale behind your design choices, and how you would measure success.

• Consider how you would iterate on the concept based on initial performance feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to translate creative talent into tangible business results. The portfolio is the primary tool for this, and the interview will test the candidate's ability to articulate the "why" and "how" behind their creative decisions and their impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere Pro) is essential.

• Video Editing Software: Proficiency in Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or similar is critical for video ad creation.

• Motion Graphics Software: Adobe After Effects is the industry standard for creating dynamic animations and visual effects for ads.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Platform Analytics: Experience with Meta Ads Manager and Google Ads reporting interfaces to understand creative performance data.

• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools like Google Data Studio, Tableau, or even advanced Excel for presenting performance insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM, understanding how ad creative influences lead generation and customer acquisition funnels is beneficial.

• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) for managing workflow and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is strong proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop for static ads and After Effects/Premiere Pro for video. Understanding how to interpret data from Meta Ads Manager and Google Ads is also crucial for this performance-focused role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Performance-Driven: A strong emphasis on achieving measurable results and contributing directly to business growth through effective advertising.

• Data-Informed: Decisions are guided by data and analytics, requiring a proactive approach to understanding campaign performance.

• Agility & Iteration: A culture that embraces rapid testing, learning from failures, and continuously improving creative assets.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with marketing teams, performance managers, and potentially other creatives to achieve shared goals.

• Efficiency: Streamlining the creative production process to deliver high-volume outputs without compromising quality.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The designer will work closely with performance marketers who provide campaign objectives, audience insights, and performance feedback.

• Feedback Loops: Openness to receiving and acting upon constructive feedback from marketing stakeholders regarding creative effectiveness.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication regarding project status, potential creative roadblocks, and performance insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely fast-paced and results-oriented, typical of performance marketing teams. The ideal candidate is collaborative, adaptable, and has a clear understanding of how their creative work contributes to broader business objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Creative Freshness at Scale: Consistently developing new, engaging concepts while also producing high volumes of variations can be demanding.

• Balancing Aesthetics with Performance: Ensuring creative output is visually appealing and on-brand while also meeting strict performance metrics.

• Adapting to Platform Changes: Staying current with the ever-evolving algorithms and creative best practices of Meta and Google Ads.

• Time Zone Differences: Effectively collaborating and communicating with teams operating in significantly different time zones.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Creative Software Training: Opportunities to deepen skills in After Effects, motion graphics, or new design tools.

• Performance Marketing Insights: Gaining a deeper understanding of paid media strategy, audience segmentation, and campaign management.

• Creative Optimization Techniques: Learning advanced A/B testing methodologies and data analysis for creative performance.

• Exposure to Global Campaigns: Working on campaigns for diverse markets and audiences, broadening creative perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the blend of high-volume output with creative innovation under performance pressure. Growth opportunities lie in leveraging this performance focus to develop into a strategic creative leader or a well-rounded performance marketing professional.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a paid ad creative from concept to execution, focusing on performance metrics."

• "How do you approach iterating on a successful ad creative to create high-volume variations?"

• "Walk me through a time when your creative significantly improved CTR or CVR. What was your process?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with our client through Activate Talent?"

• "How do you stay updated on trends in paid advertising creative?"

• "Describe your experience working in a remote, US-hours-aligned environment."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Highlight ROI: For each case study, clearly state the objective, your creative solution, the metrics achieved, and the ROI generated.

• Visual Storytelling: Use visuals to showcase the progression of your creative ideas and how variations were implemented.

• Data Integration: Show how you used data to inform your design decisions and how you tracked performance.

• Concise Explanations: Be prepared to articulate your process and results clearly and concisely, especially when discussing performance metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to defend your creative choices with data and demonstrate a clear understanding of how design impacts business objectives. Be ready to articulate your workflow for rapid iteration and high-volume production.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features performance-driven creative work, with clear metrics and case studies demonstrating impact on CTR, CVR, and thumbstop performance for Meta and Google Ads.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with paid ad creative design for performance marketing, emphasizing iteration, concept development, and platform-specific skills. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your creative process, especially how you leverage data and iterate at scale. Prepare to discuss specific examples of successful ad campaigns you've worked on.

• Company Research: Understand Activate Talent's role as a recruitment agency and research the types of clients they typically serve to better anticipate the client's industry and creative needs.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Activate Talent or their client before making application decisions.

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