Head of Advertising Operations

The Takealot Group is on the hunt for a seasoned and forward-thinking Head of Advertising Operations to steer the ship of their burgeoning retail media business. This is a critical leadership position, reporting directly to the Group Executive: Retail Media, and it requires a blend of strategic foresight and hands-on execution. The successful candidate will be instrumental in refining the company's advertising platform, weaving in advanced AI capabilities, and cultivating a high-calibre team capable of delivering tangible results for brand partners.

About the Role

This isn't just about managing campaigns; it's about architecting operational excellence. The Head of Advertising Operations will be responsible for ensuring that every facet of the advertising operation, from workflows to processes, runs with maximum efficiency and minimal friction. A core part of the role involves optimising the existing retail media platform to boost campaign performance, enhance reporting accuracy, and significantly improve advertiser satisfaction. Setting and rigorously tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect operational health, team productivity, and campaign effectiveness will be paramount. Furthermore, the leader will be tasked with developing and refining standard operating procedures (SOPs), playbooks, and frameworks that will facilitate the team's growth without compromising the quality of output.

A significant focus will be placed on identifying and implementing opportunities for automation and process improvements throughout the advertising operations lifecycle. This includes spearheading the strategy and implementation of AI-driven solutions designed to elevate campaign optimisation, refine audience targeting, and improve performance prediction accuracy. Collaboration with product and engineering teams will be key to seamlessly integrating these AI/ML functionalities into existing advertising workflows, fostering a culture of innovation where new AI tools and methodologies are constantly explored and tested. Staying abreast of the latest advancements in AdTech AI applications and translating these industry insights into actionable initiatives will be crucial for maintaining Takealot's competitive edge.

The responsibilities for this role are broad and impactful, spanning team leadership, process optimisation, and strategic implementation.

• **Drive Operational Efficiency:** Streamline all advertising campaigns, workflows, and processes to maximise efficiency and eliminate bottlenecks.
• **Platform Optimisation:** Enhance the current retail media platform to improve campaign results, the precision of reporting, and overall advertiser experience.
• **KPI Management:** Define and monitor key performance indicators to gauge operational performance, team output, and campaign success.
• **Develop Scalable Frameworks:** Create and refine SOPs, playbooks, and guiding principles that enable the team to scale effectively while upholding high standards.
• **Embrace AI & Automation:** Identify and implement opportunities for automation and process improvements, with a particular emphasis on spearheading the strategy and execution of AI/ML solutions for enhanced campaign optimisation and predictive analytics.
• **Cross-Functional Collaboration:** Work closely with Sales, Product, Analytics, and Technology departments to ensure advertising operations align with broader business objectives. Act as the operations representative in discussions about product roadmaps and platform enhancements.
• **Team Leadership & Development:** Inspire, mentor, and develop a team of advertising professionals, including Campaign Specialists and Performance Campaign Managers. Create clear avenues for career advancement and invest in ongoing learning and skill enhancement. Foster a high-performance culture that values collaboration, challenges appropriately, and empowers individuals. Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, performance reviews, and provide constructive feedback to support growth. Recruit, onboard, and retain top talent as the team expands.
• **Data-Driven Culture:** Instil a data-first approach across all advertising operations and campaign management activities. Utilise analytics platforms to uncover insights that inform strategy and optimisation efforts. Develop dashboards and reporting structures that offer clear visibility into campaign performance, operational metrics, and overall business outcomes.

What They're Looking For

The ideal candidate will possess a robust background in advertising operations and a proven track record in leadership. A Bachelor's Degree in Analytics, Business Administration, or a closely related field is a prerequisite. Significant experience, typically between 8 to 10 years, in advertising operations, campaign management, or a comparable domain is essential. Crucially, candidates must demonstrate substantial leadership experience, including the ability to manage large teams, foster talent development, and build high-performing, motivated work environments.

Deep expertise within the Advertising Technology (AdTech) or Marketing Technology (MarTech) ecosystems is non-negotiable. You will need to showcase a strong history of driving operational efficiency and refining processes in environments that are both fast-paced and data-intensive. While not strictly mandatory, direct experience implementing or working with AI/ML tools, particularly within advertising, marketing, or analytics contexts, would be a significant advantage. Exceptional analytical skills are required, enabling you to make informed, data-driven decisions and translate complex data sets into clear, actionable strategies.

In the South African e-commerce landscape, roles like this often command competitive salaries, reflecting the strategic importance and leadership required. Potential employers extend beyond e-commerce giants to advertising agencies and large media houses. Career progression typically leads to broader executive roles within media or digital strategy, with continuous learning in emerging technologies like AI being a key factor for advancement.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Analytics, Business Administration or similar
• Minimum 8 - 10 years of progressive experience in advertising operations, campaign management, or related roles
• Proven leadership experience managing large teams of people, with demonstrated ability to develop talent and build high-performing cultures
• Deep expertise in Advertising Technology (AdTech) or Marketing Technology (MarTech) ecosystems
• Strong track record of driving operational efficiency and process optimization in fast-paced, data-intensive environments
• Experience implementing or working with AI/ML tool, ideally in advertising, marketing, or analytics contexts (highly desirable)
• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions and translate complex data into actionable insights