Content Writer & Copy Editor

About Machine_

Machine_ is a creative solutions agency represented across Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, and is home to over 75 adventurous minds. At Machine_ we don’t believe that intuition and gut feel are enough. That’s why everything we do starts with an insight. Our team of experts uses these insights to create impactful and accountable solutions that touch consumers at every point in their connected world.

Machine_ is part of Publicis Groupe, one of the fastest-growing global networks.

Machine’s mantra, Never Afraid, underpins our values of; doing the right thing, being curious, solution orientated and at its core ‘getting things done!’. Living this mantra daily helps grow our clients’ businesses and these are the values we look for when recruiting new talent. The right personality is just as important as the right experience. We’re here to work hard and have fun while doing it.

Scope of the role

We are looking for a highly motivated Content Writer & Copy Editor to join our team. The ideal candidate is a writer (and editor) at heart, with a love for blending our client’s objectives with storytelling and editorial content creation.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the creation of print and digital content for our clients (from brainstorming and writing to copy editing); you’ll join our specialist, award-winning Content Marketing team within Machine_.

Above all else, the successful candidate must be passionate about content and have copy editing and journalistic writing experience, with a love of writing and the English language. You should be comfortable crafting custom content that nails client briefs and be excited to write and copy edit content specifically for financial services clients, like banks and investment houses.

Responsibilities (include but no limited to):

• Write and research content for client across all channels and across genres, from long-form researched print articles to short, compelling social media captions and advertising copy writing
• Seek out fresh, original and relevant contributors, experts and interviewees suited to client needs when creating this content
• Be the primary proofreader and copy editor for all content, ensuring content is punchy, thoroughly researched, in line with brand style guides and 100% error-free
• Input changes requested by the team or client, checking for consistency, accuracy and continuity
• Assist the content team in fulfilling their roles as needed; this may extend to assisting with tasks for the business outside of normal client work if required
• Attend client-facing briefings as required
• Take briefs and create briefs for content
• Adhere and meet deadlines
• Ensure all content is original, accurate, suited to client tone and style, and of the highest possible quality
• Upload and edit website content: comfortable in Wordpress; basic understanding of writing for SEO
• Ensure content is created optimally for its intended objectives, channels and audience
• Understand content channels and user journeys and craft content with these in mind
• Assist in reporting on content performance, with a basic understanding of insight-led, results-driven content
• Ability to follow agency structures and processes, while also being proactive, agile and able to manage time independently and without assistance
• Ensure effective and accurate reporting

Requirements / Experience / Skills

• A tertiary qualification in Journalism and / or Copywriting
• 2 year’s working experience as a Content Writer or in a similar role
• Proficient in MS Office (i.e. Word / Excel / PowerPoint etc.)
• Copy editing (and execution) experience is essential
• Advertising Agency experience will be advantageous
• InDesign and Adobe XD copy editing experience will be advantageous
• A good command of the English language (both verbal and written)
• Passionate about content, writing, editing and error-free work
• Enjoys working with clients and delivering results
• Strong presentation skills
• Strong organizational, administrative and time management skills
• Social media savvy

Personality Attributes

• Team player with the ability to work independently
• Ability to remain calm in a highly pressurized environment
• Willing to continually improve based on constructive feedback
• Proactive
• Positive
• Energetic
• Resilient
• Confident
• Meticulous with attention to detail
• Able to represent the company positively to external parties

Candidates must please submit a concise CV and a porti. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks after submitting your application, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

Publics Groupe is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and prohibits any forms of Discrimination or Harassment. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees in line with our Employment Equity Plan. All appointments will be based on qualifications, experience and best fit but preference will be given to all candidates from designated groups.