Background

Workforce Recruitment Services seeks to recruit for the following position on behalf of a Client.

The Client is looking for a strong Digital Marketing Specialist Lead to manage and grow the digital marketing function across our client portfolio. We are looking for someone with practical, hands-on experience in digital strategy, social media management, performance marketing, digital media buying, analytics, and social listening, reporting and team leadership.

This role is not for someone who only has certifications. We are looking for someone who has worked on real campaigns, managed real tools, interpreted real data, handled client expectations, and understands how digital marketing can drive brand growth, acquisition, engagement, reputation and business results.

They should be able to build strategies that start with mobile behaviour, social media consumption, content culture, digital communities and performance-driven media, while also understanding how desktop, websites, search, programmatic and broader digital ecosystems support the full customer journey.

Key Responsibilities

• The Digital Marketing Specialist Lead will be responsible for developing and executing digital marketing strategies for The Client’s clients across social media, performance marketing, digital media, PR amplification and content-led campaigns.
• The role will include leading digital strategy, translating client briefs into actionable digital plans, managing Meta campaigns, supporting programmatic and digital media buying, monitoring campaign performance, interpreting analytics, managing digital tools, guiding social media teams, identifying trends and converting those trends into client-relevant opportunities.
• The candidate will be expected to lead digital thinking within the agency, ensuring that client campaigns are not just posted online, but are strategically built to perform, engage, convert and deliver measurable value.
• Core Duties
• Develop digital marketing strategies aligned to client business goals, audience behaviour and campaign objectives.
• Plan and manage social media campaigns across key platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, X and other relevant channels.
• Manage Meta Business Suite, Meta Ads Manager and campaign reporting across awareness, engagement, lead generation, traffic and conversion objectives.
• Support digital media buying, programmatic buying and performance marketing campaigns.
• Build digital media plans that are strategic, cost-conscious and measurable.
• Use analytics and social listening tools to track brand performance, campaign reach, sentiment, engagement, share of voice and competitor activity.
• Work with tools such as Meta Business Suite, Meltwater, Brand24, BrandMentions, Hootsuite, Google Analytics and other relevant digital platforms.
• Lead content planning with a strong understanding of algorithms, platform trends, audience behaviour and social-first storytelling.
• Translate trends into meaningful brand opportunities, not just viral content.
• Guide social media teams on content calendars, community management, reporting, platform best practice and campaign execution.
• Work closely with creative, PR, client service, media and strategy teams to ensure digital thinking is embedded across campaigns.
• Connect digital strategy with PR by understanding how brand reputation, earned media, influencer content, community conversation and online sentiment now live within the digital space.
• Prepare clear, insightful client reports that go beyond numbers and explain what the data means for the brand.
• Monitor digital marketing trends in Malawi and wider markets including South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and global markets to bring fresh thinking into the agency.
• Train, guide and upskill junior digital and social media team members.

Required Experience

• Minimum 2–3 years of hands-on digital marketing experience, preferably within an agency or fast-paced marketing environment.
• Proven experience managing client digital campaigns from strategy to execution and reporting.
• Strong practical experience using Meta Business Suite and Meta Ads Manager.
• Experience with social media management tools such as Hootsuite or similar platforms.
• Experience with social listening, media monitoring or reputation tools such as Meltwater, Brand24, BrandMentions or similar platforms.
• Understanding of digital media buying, performance marketing, paid social, programmatic buying and campaign optimisation.
• Experience leading or managing a social media or digital team.
• Strong understanding of mobile-first marketing, especially within African markets.
• Ability to interpret data and turn campaign performance into clear insights and recommendations.
• Understanding of how PR, influencer marketing, social media and digital performance now work together.

Required Skills

• Strong digital strategy development.
• Paid social and performance marketing.
• Social media management.
• Digital media planning and buying.
• Programmatic buying understanding.
• Campaign analytics and reporting.
• Social listening and sentiment tracking.
• Trend analysis and cultural awareness.
• Team leadership and people management.
• Client presentation and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of content formats, platform behaviour and algorithms.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple clients.
• Curiosity and willingness to keep learning from bigger and more advanced digital markets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Marketing, Communications, Digital Marketing, Business, Media or a related field.
• Meta certifications will be an added advantage.
• Google Analytics, Google Ads, programmatic media or other digital marketing certifications will be an added advantage.
• However, practical experience and proven campaign delivery will be prioritized over certification alone.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The right candidate is digitally sharp, curious, strategic and hands-on. They are not just a social media person, and they are not just a media buyer. They understand how digital marketing connects content, culture, media, PR, data, performance and business growth.

They should be able to lead thinking, manage execution, guide teams, challenge weak digital ideas, and help The Client deliver stronger digital value to its clients.

They must be someone who follows digital trends, studies how brands in bigger markets use digital platforms, and is constantly pushing themselves to understand what is changing in the digital space.

• Develop digital marketing strategies aligned to client business goals, audience behaviour and campaign objectives.
• Plan and manage social media campaigns across key platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, X and other relevant channels.
• Manage Meta Business Suite, Meta Ads Manager and campaign reporting across awareness, engagement, lead generation, traffic and conversion objectives.
• Support digital media buying, programmatic buying and performance marketing campaigns.
• Build digital media plans that are strategic, cost-conscious and measurable.
• Use analytics and social listening tools to track brand performance, campaign reach, sentiment, engagement, share of voice and competitor activity.
• Work with tools such as Meta Business Suite, Meltwater, Brand24, BrandMentions, Hootsuite, Google Analytics and other relevant digital platforms.
• Lead content planning with a strong understanding of algorithms, platform trends, audience behaviour and social-first storytelling.
• Translate trends into meaningful brand opportunities, not just viral content.
• Guide social media teams on content calendars, community management, reporting, platform best practice and campaign execution.
• Work closely with creative, PR, client service, media and strategy teams to ensure digital thinking is embedded across campaigns.
• Connect digital strategy with PR by understanding how brand reputation, earned media, influencer content, community conversation and online sentiment now live within the digital space.
• Prepare clear, insightful client reports that go beyond numbers and explain what the data means for the brand.
• Monitor digital marketing trends in Malawi and wider markets including South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and global markets to bring fresh thinking into the agency.
• Train, guide and upskill junior digital and social media team members.

• Strong digital strategy development.
• Paid social and performance marketing.
• Social media management.
• Digital media planning and buying.
• Programmatic buying understanding.
• Campaign analytics and reporting.
• Social listening and sentiment tracking.
• Trend analysis and cultural awareness.
• Team leadership and people management.
• Client presentation and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of content formats, platform behaviour and algorithms.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple clients.
• Curiosity and willingness to keep learning from bigger and more advanced digital markets.

• Degree in Marketing, Communications, Digital Marketing, Business, Media or a related field.
• Meta certifications will be an added advantage.
• Google Analytics, Google Ads, programmatic media or other digital marketing certifications will be an added advantage.
• However, practical experience and proven campaign delivery will be prioritized over certification alone.