Lead Brand Manager

Job title : Lead Brand Manager

About the role

• The Lead Brand Manager is the most senior creative and strategic voice in the Content & Branding department. You own how every client brand is perceived, communicated, and grown. You also carry creative direction responsibilities, meaning you are the final word on how content looks, sounds, and feels before it goes live.

What you'll do

• Lead all client onboarding sessions alongside other HODs; you set the tone from day one.
• Conduct deep brand audits for every new client: tone of voice, personality, audience, messaging pillars, and visual identity.
• Assign the right team members to each brand based on fit, capacity, and skill.
• Hold full accountability for the health and perception of every brand under your team.
• Carry creative direction responsibilities, after final approval from the HOD, of all content before it is published.
• Mentor and manage Junior Brand Managers, reviewing their briefs and guiding their growth.
• Build and maintain a strong working understanding of VARD Media's branding philosophy: branding equals perception.
• Use AI tools strategically for research, brand analysis, and strategy development, not as a shortcut, but as a force multiplier.
• Collaborate with Content Strategists to ensure all written output aligns with each brand's voice.
• Be client-facing and confident; you must be able to independently close and retain clients.

What we're looking for

• 3+ years of brand management, creative strategy, or brand consulting experience.
• Strong portfolio of brand work across at least 3 industries.
• Deep understanding of how brand perception is built through content.
• Proficiency with AI tools for research and strategy (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, etc.)
• Excellent written and verbal communication; you write briefs that people actually follow.
• Client communication.
• Comfortable working in fast-moving, high-output environments.
• Ability to direct creatives (writers, designers, and on-camera talent).
• Knowledge of Instagram and TikTok content trends is a strong advantage.