Creative Lead Design Director - dubai - Canva

    Canva
    Canva dubai

    1 week ago

    Description

    The Creative Lead Content MENAP will join the International Content Team whose mission is to build the most valuable content library in the world.

    The team sits within the International Supergroup and collaborates closely with Content & Discovery and Marketing to unlock content-driven growth through high-quality market-relevant templates and elements such as graphics photos and videos.

    The team is focused on delivering content that is Truly Local ensuring everything published meets Canvas standards of design craft cultural resonance and user value.

    This role will lead the charge in shaping the creative direction for content that reflects the cultural nuances and preferences of MENAP.

    It will be instrumental in driving user engagement and revenue growth through content collaborating closely with the Country Lead and local stakeholders across Growth Marketing SEO and Community.

    This role will also direct a team of local creatives to curate and elevate impactful truly local content across both elements such as graphics photos and videos and templates spanning social media presentations websites and print products.

    By fostering a culture of excellence and innovation this role will play a vital part in achieving Canvas mission of delivering a world-class truly local design experience.

    What youll be doing
    Creative Direction & Strategy

    Develop a compelling creative vision that aligns with regional and local context and Canvas broader goals collaborating closely with the Region Lead for MENAP and local Marketing SEO and Community teams.

    Translate country and regional strategies into actionable content plans and locally relevant campaigns tailored to audience preferences.
    Drive experimentation and content innovation supporting new product formats and emerging trends to keep creative outputs fresh and competitive.
    Making informed decisions on content creation funnels based on country content strategies
    Content Creation & Curation
    Oversee the creation of content including design kits campaign documents creator briefs and in-house production where needed.

    Work with Content Specialists and/or Copywriters to ensure copy is culturally relevant and adheres to our copy best practice standards.

    Curate and editorially frame content for marketing initiatives showcases and seasonal calendars to elevate local relevance.
    Proactively identify content gaps and curate assets that reflect strategic priorities and creative excellence.

    Lead quality control of all content outputs ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and maintaining high standards of visual and messaging quality.

    Market Understanding & Cultural Insights

    Build and maintain a deep knowledge of local culture consumer behaviour and design trends to inform content direction and foundational content research to guide Canvas expansion into the MENAP market ensuring creative and editorial output aligns with user needs and cultural nuances.

    Provide cultural expertise to scale content ensuring authenticity and relevance to MENAP across AICG partnerships AI tooling and diversity hyperlocal design perspectives in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

    Support building an editorial strategy for local content ensuring Canvas library reflects cultural relevance diversity and inclusive storytelling.

    Advocate for the integration of global and underrepresented perspectives in content development and curation upholding Canvas commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion.

    Content Performance Monitoring & Analysis
    Conduct template and element audits to identify improvement areas and opportunities for new content.
    Perform content performance and gap analysis distilling insights into recommendations that guide future content creation and acquisition.
    Leverage data trends and local insights to shape creative direction enhance creator and in-house briefs and inform design decisions.
    Facilitate retrospectives and performance reviews to refine strategies and content effectiveness.
    Actively raise discoverability challenges or product limitations that impact content visibility engagement or impact in MENAP.
    Partnership & Stakeholder Management

    Collaborate with local SEO Marketing and Country Managers in partnership with Design Ops Managers to align on creative goals and content needs and confidently prioritise and negotiate trade-offs.

    Lead the rollout of local partnership content through culturally relevant creative strategies and campaigns.
    Manage creative strategy brand adherence and feedback implementation to meet partner expectations and project goals.
    Communicate initiatives and results to senior leadership ensuring visibility across stakeholders.
    Competitive Analysis
    Monitor competitor activity and creative trends across the region to identify new opportunities and maintain strategic edge.
    Use findings to inform the content roadmap and differentiate Canvas creative offerings in the local market.
    Project Management

    Set clear ambitious and achievable content and creative goals for the MENAP region and translate them into detailed projects with milestones and deliverables.

    Monitor project execution mitigate risks and elevate challenges when necessary to ensure timely high-quality outcomes.

    Maintain visibility into campaign timelines and production volume goals across all creative an agile mindset and adapt quickly to shifting priorities and dynamic day-to-day needs.

    Freelance & Creator Management
    Oversee local freelance designers managing recruitment briefing output review and development.
    Build strong relationships with the Creators Production and Community teams providing hyperlocal direction through well-crafted briefs and feedback loops.
    Champion Creator-led content that resonates deeply with local audiences and reflects cultural authenticity.
    Reporting & Communication

    Report on the performance and ROI of creative campaigns using analytics to guide and improve future content plans and outputs.

    Keep senior management and regional stakeholders informed about key initiatives learnings and creative progress.
    Ensure alignment and transparency through consistent documentation and communication.
    Feedback & Quality Assurance
    Provide timely feedback and approvals across creative workstreams maintaining alignment with both business goals and creative standards.
    Drive internal reviews and uphold quality benchmarks for all deliverables across content types.
    Team Building & Culture
    Contribute to and foster a collaborative innovative and high-performing regional creative team culture.
    Promote continuous improvement through process optimization retrospectives and shared best practices.
    Encourage creative excellence while ensuring inclusion psychological safety and alignment across diverse teams.
    What were looking for
    Were looking for a creative leader who is passionate about design culturally attuned and driven by excellence.

    You bring an international design perspective with a deep appreciation for how aesthetics storytelling and visual language differ across cultures.

    You understand that design isnt one-size-fits-all and you thrive on creating content that feels authentic relevant and respectful in every market.

    You combine strong visual craft with strategic thinking confidently setting the creative vision while rolling up your sleeves to execute when needed.

    Youll thrive in this role if youre curious collaborative and deeply committed to empowering local users through content that feels made for them.


    Youll have:
    Fluent in English Arabic andfamiliarity in other dialects in the regionProven experience in creative leadership roles ideally with international regional or market-level remitA strong portfolio showcasing exceptional design work and content campaigns that reflect cultural resonance and local user needsExperience collaborating with cross-functional teams (SEO Growth Marketing Product)Excellent communication stakeholder management and storytelling skillsA strategic mindset balancing creative innovation with business and user goalsExperience managing freelancers and/or creators with a focus on quality and alignmentComfort working in a fast-paced evolving environment with an experimentation mindset

    To apply please submit:
    Your updated portfolioA resume

    Remote Work :
    Yes

    Employment Type :
    Full-time
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