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daniella.

Operations · Project Management · Creative Direction · Strategy

About
me.

My experience spans operations, project management, creative direction, senior graphic design, marketing and development. Over the years I've worked across all areas of a project, from strategy and planning through to creative, development and delivery.

About.

For the past nine years I've been the Founder and Managing Director of 1Pulse Digital, a creative and digital studio working with businesses across hospitality, retail, legal, education and technology. I've worked with national and global brands including WeWork South Africa, KFC, Nando's, Gong cha and The Loeries.

Running 1Pulse means I'm involved in both the business and the work. I manage clients, projects, budgets and teams, while also setting strategy and creative direction, working hands-on as a senior graphic designer and overseeing delivery. I work closely with designers, developers and copywriters and I'm used to managing several projects and priorities at the same time.

My strength lies in understanding what a client or business needs, working out the best way to approach it and making sure the work gets done properly. I'm a strategic thinker and problem solver, but I'm also very hands-on and pay close attention to the detail.

More recently, I've developed a strong interest in AI and how it can be used practically in business. I've completed several courses through Anthropic and have been building AI agents, workflows and reusable systems to improve the way I work and run the business. I also consult with businesses on how they can integrate AI into their own operations.

Experience.

2017–Present

Founder & Managing Director

1Pulse Digital

Founder, Managing Director and Senior Graphic Designer at a creative and digital studio working across strategy, branding, SEO, marketing, design and development.

  • Manage the day-to-day running of the business, including clients, projects, team resources, budgets and suppliers
  • Set the strategy and creative direction across client accounts, from initial brief through to final delivery
  • Work hands-on as a senior graphic designer across brand identities, campaigns, digital design, print and event material
  • Manage projects from planning and briefing through to design, development and launch
  • Lead designers, developers and copywriters across client projects
  • Manage long-standing relationships with business owners, executives and marketing teams
  • Lead website and digital product projects across UI/UX, WordPress and custom development
  • Implement on-page SEO and technical SEO fundamentals across every website I build, including site structure, metadata, headings, internal linking, image optimisation and performance
  • Work closely with developers on projects using React, Next.js, JavaScript, Golang and Tailwind CSS
  • Manage marketing across Google, Meta and LinkedIn, including campaign planning, paid media, landing pages and reporting
  • Write proposals, develop pitches and manage new business opportunities
  • Manage budgets, retainers, suppliers and team resources
  • Oversee quality control across creative, development and marketing work
  • Introduce AI tools into day-to-day operations to reduce repetitive work
  • Advise client businesses on practical ways to integrate AI into their own operations
  • Operations
  • Project Management
  • Creative Direction
  • Senior Graphic Design
  • Strategy
  • UI/UX
  • Web Development
  • SEO
  • Marketing
  • Paid Media
  • Client Management
  • Team Leadership
  • Business Development
  • AI
  • AI Consulting

Feb 2021–Feb 2025

Creative Director

The Loeries

Led creative and digital work for The Loeries across its year-round activity and annual Creative Week.

  • Set the creative direction across digital, print, social, event and environmental design
  • Led the creative rollout for Creative Week each year
  • Managed the Loeries website, including UI/UX, WordPress development, on-page SEO and ongoing content optimisation
  • Directed event branding across Creative Week venues
  • Managed designers and developers across creative and digital projects
  • Worked with the Loeries marketing team on social creative and content around entries, judging, Creative Week and winners
  • Designed and built email marketing communications to entrants, judges and industry partners
  • Worked closely with the Loeries team to manage briefs, priorities and deadlines throughout the year
  • Managed several projects and deliverables at the same time in the lead-up to Creative Week

This role ran in parallel with founding and operating 1Pulse Digital.

  • Creative Direction
  • UI/UX
  • WordPress
  • SEO
  • Event Branding
  • Graphic Design
  • Marketing
  • Social Media
  • Email Marketing
  • Project Management

2016–2018

Marketing Traffic Manager

Lingo Communications

Managed client projects and deadlines across a busy communications agency while also supporting design, development, marketing and PR work.

  • Managed multiple client projects and deadlines at the same time
  • Coordinated work between clients, designers, developers, copywriters and the communications team
  • Managed briefs, feedback and project timelines
  • Built and maintained client websites using WordPress, including on-page SEO
  • Designed marketing collateral, campaign assets and digital content
  • Supported marketing across client accounts
  • Assisted with PR work, including media lists and journalist liaison
  • Worked directly with clients to manage day-to-day project requirements
  • Project Management
  • Traffic Management
  • WordPress
  • SEO
  • Graphic Design
  • Marketing
  • PR
  • Client Management

Jan 2016–Jun 2016

Key Accounts Manager

Kingpin Printing (Pty) Ltd

Managed key client accounts and large-scale commercial print projects.

  • Managed key client accounts and acted as the main point of contact
  • Managed print projects from brief through to production and delivery
  • Coordinated suppliers and production teams
  • Oversaw quality control across large-format and high-volume print work
  • Managed timelines and client expectations
  • Built and maintained strong client relationships
  • Account Management
  • Client Service
  • Production Management
  • Print Production
  • Quality Control
  • Supplier Management

Aug 2015–Jan 2016

Account Manager

Stuf Solutions (Pty) Ltd

Managed existing retail accounts and developed new business across the sports retail market.

  • Generated new business through direct outreach to sports retailers
  • Managed existing client accounts
  • Built relationships with retail stores and buyers
  • Acted as the link between the brand and its retail partners
  • Supported product education and in-store brand representation
  • Planned and created social media content
  • Business Development
  • Account Management
  • Retail Marketing
  • Client Relationships
  • Social Media

Oct 2014–Aug 2015

Travel Consultant

Pentravel

Managed domestic and international travel bookings for clients from initial consultation through to final booking.

  • Consulted with clients on travel requirements, budgets and preferences
  • Planned domestic and international itineraries
  • Managed flights, accommodation and travel documentation
  • Managed booking changes, queries and amendments
  • Maintained client relationships throughout the booking process
  • Supported marketing and social media content for travel packages
  • Client Service
  • Sales
  • Account Management
  • Administration
  • Travel Planning

Strengths.

  • Strong team leader who works well with designers, developers, marketers and copywriters
  • Strategic thinker and problem solver
  • Strong client and relationship management skills
  • Creative thinker with experience across brand, digital, marketing and technology
  • Hands-on SEO experience across website planning, build, launch and optimisation
  • Commercially minded with experience in proposals, pitching, budgeting and business development
  • Hands-on, adaptable and detail-oriented

Education.

  • Marketing Management Studies

    Damelin · 2012–2014 (two years completed)

  • Google Project Management Certificate

    Google

  • Google Ads Certification

    Google

  • HTML, CSS, React & Advanced Graphic Design

    Udemy

  • Claude & Applied AI Coursework

    Anthropic

Languages

English(Native) · Portuguese(Fluent)

Clients.

  • KFC
  • Nando's
  • The Loeries
  • WeWork South Africa
  • Gong cha
  • Mindworx
  • IMBE
  • Mesh.trade
  • PPM Attorneys
  • Cheadle Thompson & Haysom
  • Grant Thornton
  • Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
  • Paycorp Holdings
  • Collective X
  • Bonds4Jobs
  • Made in Workshop
  • Bana Pele
  • CC Imelmann
  • The Aesthetics Room

Let's talk.

I'm interested in opportunities where I can use my experience across operations, project management, creative, digital and technology.

I enjoy solving problems, managing people and projects and being involved in taking work from an initial idea through to delivery. I'm comfortable working at both a strategic and hands-on level and particularly enjoy environments where there are different types of problems to solve.

Based in Johannesburg, South Africa and open to remote opportunities internationally.

daniella.vdlinde@gmail.com

References available on request.