Head of Operations

JOB DESCRIPTION: Head of Operations & Commercial

The Marketing Agency (tma)

Location:
Johannesburg (Hybrid: 3 days in office)

Salary:
Competitive salary experience-dependent

Start Date:
February / March 2026

Reporting To:
Board

About tma

tma is a fast-growing creative marketing agency specialising in content creation, social media strategy, influencer management, eventing, PR, and graphic design. We proudly partner with global and local brands including and not limited to:
Sol de Janeiro, Hermès, Bvlgari, Chanel, and NARS
.

With new investment and rapid expansion in our client base, tma is entering an exciting growth phase. To support this next chapter, we are hiring a
Head of Operations & Commercial
— a senior leader who will take ownership of the agency's operational engine, commercial growth, team leadership, and delivery excellence.

Role Overview

The Head of Operations & Commercial is responsible for
commercial performance, operational efficiency, delivery quality, and people leadership
across the agency. This role is
hands-on, fast-paced, and high-impact
, ideal for someone who wants to help scale a growing creative business.

This role owns:

Commercial

• Oversight of revenue, margins, forecasting, and profitability
• Management of client campaign budgets end-to-end
• Sales strategy, client acquisition, retention, and upsell
• Pricing, proposal development, and new revenue streams
• Managing and strengthening top-tier client relationships

Operations

• Building and optimising agency-wide systems, processes, and workflows
• Overseeing daily business performance and delivery operations
• Resource planning, efficiency improvements, and capacity management
• Identifying and resolving operational bottlenecks before they escalate
• Managing internal and external stakeholders

People & Leadership

• Leading the full tma team across disciplines
• Setting KPIs, conducting performance reviews, and ensuring accountability
• Developing talent through coaching, training, and structured feedback
• Driving a culture of ownership, creativity, excellence, and results
• Managing recruitment, including hiring and role transitions

Strategy & Growth

• Creating and implementing tma's growth strategy together with the Board
• Preparing monthly Executive Committee operational and commercial reports
• Supporting investor and funding conversations where relevant

Key Responsibilities

1. Commercial Leadership & Financial Oversight

• Support full revenue and margin management
• Oversee cash flow, budgeting, and forecasting
• Ensure profitability through strategic pricing and resource alignment
• Present monthly commercial performance updates to the Board

2. Sales, Growth & Client Expansion

• Build and manage the commercial pipeline
• Drive acquisition, retention, and upsell initiatives
• Develop new offerings aligned with market needs
• Strengthen key client accounts and expand scopes
• Position tma as a strategic creative and social partner

3. Operational Excellence & Delivery Oversight

• Own daily agency operations end-to-end
• Implement scalable systems, processes, and workflows
• Manage timelines, deliverables, and cross-team workflow routing
• Monitor operational KPIs and introduce corrective actions
• Ensure consistency, speed, and quality across all functions

4. People Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team
• Set KPIs, manage performance reviews, and enforce accountability
• Reassign priorities and resources as business needs evolve
• Build a culture of high performance, agility, and ownership
• Develop internal talent and support career growth

5. Strategic Leadership

• Translate the Board's vision into clear operational execution
• Guide organisational design and resourcing strategy
• Prepare monthly Executive Committee reports
• Contribute to investor and partner conversations
• Support long-term strategic decision-making

Key Attributes of the Ideal Candidate

• Strong financial and commercial acumen
• Passion for marketing, creative work, and brand ecosystems
• Strategic thinker who takes decisive action
• Solutions-driven, calm under pressure, and highly adaptable
• Exceptional communicator across all levels
• Proven ability to lead, grow, and hold teams accountable
• Innovative problem-solver with an eye for operational efficiency
• Highly organised, analytical, and detail-oriented
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong sense of ownership

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a marketing, creative, or digital agency
• Proven operational leadership experience
• Experience driving commercial growth and overseeing P&L components
• Degree in Business, Marketing, or related field
• Johannesburg-based and willing to travel
• Valid driver's licence

Preferred

• MBA or advanced business qualification

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Profit share
• Commission on new clients
• 21 days annual leave
• Hybrid working (3 days in office)
• Employee discounts across all client brands
• Full autonomy and authority in leading operations and commercial functions
• The opportunity to shape your future and help scale a growing creative agency

In Summary

This role is built for a strong commercial and operational leader ready to take ownership of tma's next phase of growth. You will lead across operations, commercial strategy, people, delivery, and performance — with the opportunity to grow into one of the most influential roles in the business.

Apply now by emailing your CV to