Founder & Creative Director

About Labata Advertising

Labata Advertising is an emerging creative agency based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The agency is dedicated to delivering compelling advertising and brand communication solutions, working with diverse clients to craft integrated campaigns spanning digital and traditional platforms. It champions innovation, collaboration, and culturally resonant storytelling that forges strong connections between brands and their audiences. Team members are encouraged to introduce fresh ideas and produce exceptional creative work that fosters client growth and improves market presence.

Role Overview

The Founder & Creative Director position is a full-time, on-location leadership role in Addis Ababa. This role is pivotal in defining the agency’s creative direction and managing significant campaigns. The individual will develop broad brand and campaign concepts, lead the creative team through ideation, design, copywriting, and production stages, ensuring all outputs align with strategic goals and quality benchmarks. The role demands close coordination with clients to grasp their objectives, present creative plans, and adjust concepts based on feedback. Duties also include mentoring staff, creating and implementing creative workflows, collaborating with account and production teams, and contributing to business growth via pitches and presentations. This role combines direct involvement with key projects and a forward-looking vision for agency expansion, reputation, and creative excellence.

Qualifications

• Proven experience within advertising, branding, or creative agency sectors, supported by a strong portfolio of campaigns and projects.
• Established leadership capabilities, including managing teams, mentoring staff, and inspiring creatives such as designers, copywriters, and strategists.
• Exceptional conceptualization and storytelling skills, proficient in crafting integrated campaigns for digital, social, print, and broadcast media.
• Strong client interaction abilities encompassing communication, presentations, negotiation, and translating business aims into creative strategies.
• Thorough understanding of marketing principles, audience insights, and brand positioning specific to the Ethiopian market and ideally broader regional or international contexts.
• Capacity to handle multiple projects concurrently, prioritize effectively, and uphold high standards under demanding deadlines.
• Experience in launching or expanding a creative enterprise or team, including process and resource management.
• Bachelor’s degree in Advertising, Design, Communications, Marketing, or related area, or equivalent practical expertise.
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Amharic and insight into local culture and consumer behaviors are beneficial.
• Dedication to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative work culture free from discrimination.