Head of Design at Pulse Nigeria

Pulse is Africa’s leading innovative media company, informing and engaging Africa’s young audience - and providing expansive media reach and creative marketing solutions to partners. We run news websites and social channels and marketing and production across Francophone and Anglophone West Africa and East Africa.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Design

Location: Maryland, Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Description

• We are hiring a Head of Design to lead the creative vision and visual identity of Pulse Nigeria across all its touchpoints - editorial, social, and branded content.
• The Head of Design will define and own how Pulse Nigeria looks, feels, and communicates visually. From the design of news stories and original series to campaign visuals and platform experiences, this role will guide every creative decision that shapes the Pulse Nigeria brand.
• You will collaborate closely with the Editor-in-Chief and Head of Social Content to ensure our visual output across editorial, video, and social platforms is strong, cohesive, and unmistakably Pulse. You will also lead and mentor a team of designers, setting a high standard for creative excellence and execution speed.

Key Responsibilities
Brand Identity & Creative Direction:

• Define and maintain the visual identity of Pulse Nigeria across editorial, social, and commercial outputs.
• Establish and evolve a consistent design system that aligns visuals across the website, social platforms, newsletters, and branded campaigns.
• Oversee the creative direction and visual consistency of Pulse Nigeria Originals and all editorial and social products under the Pulse Nigeria brand.
• Lead brand refreshes and visual improvements that strengthen audience recognition and trust.
• Approve major design assets, ensuring all visuals reflect Pulse Nigeria’s distinct voice and aesthetic.

Editorial and Social Design Oversight:

• Partner with the Editor-in-Chief to elevate visual storytelling across daily news, features, and special reports.
• Collaborate with the Head of Social Content to design high-performing templates, motion graphics, and visual frameworks that boost engagement.
• Supervise visual packaging for video content, ensuring consistency across Reels, YouTube, and TikTok.
• Develop guidelines for multimedia storytelling and ensure the visual layer enhances clarity and appeal.

Cross-Platform Consistency:

• Align design standards across the Pulse Nigeria website, social platforms, and branded content projects.
• Collaborate with Product and Tech teams to deliver a seamless, cohesive user experience across digital platforms.
• Provide creative direction for special projects, partnerships, and campaigns to maintain a unified visual language.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead, mentor, and grow Pulse Nigeria’s design team, fostering a culture of collaboration, speed, and quality.
• Implement efficient design workflows, review systems, and training plans for creative staff.
• Identify and fill skill gaps, ensuring the team stays current with tools and trends.
• Champion design thinking across departments and ensure creative quality at every level.

Innovation & Experimentation:

• Explore new design trends, motion formats, and creative tools that keep Pulse Nigeria visually relevant and ahead of the curve.
• Drive experimentation in visual storytelling and presentation, introducing new formats and layout ideas.
• Encourage innovation in how design supports editorial and social objectives.

Performance & Insights:

• Collaborate with Growth and Analytics teams to measure how design impacts reach, engagement, and viewer retention.
• Use performance insights to guide continuous creative improvement.
• Present regular updates to leadership on design impact and brand evolution.

Requirements

• 7+ years of professional design experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership position.
• Proven record of shaping brand and visual identity for a media, content, or digital company.
• Strong portfolio showcasing editorial, social, and branded content design.
• Advanced proficiency in Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator, and motion design tools.
• Excellent leadership and project management skills with a focus on clarity and speed.
• Deep understanding of social-first design, typography, colour systems, and visual hierarchy.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills across creative and non-creative teams.

Benefits

• Flexible Hybrid Work Model
• Health Insurance Cover
• Group Life Insurance Cover
• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Annual Bonuses
• Telecommunication Allowance

Application Closing Date
12th November, 2025.