Thanja Van der Horst is a creative marketing and brand communications professional with a background in content strategy, brand development, digital marketing, copywriting, and audience engagement. She translates business objectives into compelling narratives that resonate with target audiences and support growth. She manages content ecosystems, collaborates cross-functionally, and uses data-driven insights to strengthen brand positioning and customer engagement across multiple channels. Passionate about strategic storytelling and innovative marketing solutions, she develops audience-focused content and marketing initiatives while maintaining brand consistency and quality assurance.

Thanja Van der Horst

Thanja Van der Horst is a creative marketing and brand communications professional with a background in content strategy, brand development, digital marketing, copywriting, and audience engagement. She translates business objectives into compelling narratives that resonate with target audiences and support growth. She manages content ecosystems, collaborates cross-functionally, and uses data-driven insights to strengthen brand positioning and customer engagement across multiple channels. Passionate about strategic storytelling and innovative marketing solutions, she develops audience-focused content and marketing initiatives while maintaining brand consistency and quality assurance.

Available to hire

Thanja Van der Horst is a creative marketing and brand communications professional with a background in content strategy, brand development, digital marketing, copywriting, and audience engagement. She translates business objectives into compelling narratives that resonate with target audiences and support growth.

She manages content ecosystems, collaborates cross-functionally, and uses data-driven insights to strengthen brand positioning and customer engagement across multiple channels. Passionate about strategic storytelling and innovative marketing solutions, she develops audience-focused content and marketing initiatives while maintaining brand consistency and quality assurance.

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Language

English
Fluent
Afrikaans
Fluent
German
Intermediate
Dutch
Intermediate
Tswana
Advanced

Work Experience

English Teacher (Volunteer) at Botswana & South Africa (HYBRID)
January 1, 2023 - Present
Provided instruction and mentorship to students, supporting literacy and communication development through tailored lesson delivery.
English Teacher at Botswana & South Africa (HYBRID)
January 1, 2023 - Present
Taught English language and literacy skills to students from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds. Adapted lesson delivery to different learning needs and proficiency levels, and facilitated engaging learning environments to build communication, confidence, and academic development. Strengthened cross-cultural communication, public speaking, mentoring, and relationship-building skills while supporting educational initiatives in local communities.
Board Member / Webinar Panelist at The Harvard Crimson
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Served as a mentor and webinar panelist for international essay competitions and hackathons, guiding participants on storytelling, persuasive writing, critical thinking, and essay development. Delivered educational presentations, answered participant questions, provided constructive feedback, and supported teams in refining project concepts, pitches, and user-focused solutions in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
AI Prompt Engineering and Automation Content Editor & Marketing Specialist at Grow th 99 (REMOTE)
January 1, 2023 - Present
Responsible for configuring marketing tools, mapping content, developing brand strategy, and writing and editing cross-channel copy (organic, paid, print for blog posts, videos, social media, and newsletters). Produces and refines digital content with SEO focus, ensuring quality, brand consistency, and audience engagement. Applies critical thinking and attention to detail to support content workflows, performance evaluation, and continuous improvement. Works with stakeholders to translate objectives into measurable marketing outputs, including content systems, QA, and editorial alignment.
Camp Manager (Volunteer) at Takadu Bush Camp, Ghanzi
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Coordinated camp activities, assisted participants, and contributed to a safe, organized, and inclusive educational environment for a diverse range of visitors.
Camp Manager at Thaka du Bush Camp, Ghanzi (VOLUNTEER)
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Supported day-to-day operations of a volunteer and educational camp, coordinating activities, assisting participants, and ensuring a positive and organized experience for diverse groups of local and international visitors. Developed leadership, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication skills in a dynamic community-focused environment. Collaborated with team members on program facilitation, logistics management, and meaningful cultural and educational exchanges.
Brand Ambassador at The Harvard Crimson
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2024
Promoted educational programs, competitions, and events to diverse student audiences across digital and community channels. Built brand awareness through outreach initiatives, social media engagement, and relationship-building, supporting participant interest and program visibility. Collaborated with internal teams to communicate key messaging and foster engagement with prospective applicants and community members.
Copywriter at AliExpress (REMOTE)
January 1, 2022 - Present
Developed marketing and brand communications materials and supported content creation for campaigns. Created copy aligned with brand messaging while improving customer engagement across digital channels.
Content Writing and Editorial Assistant (Copywriting) at Recraft Relic Software
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Produced high-quality digital content including SEO-focused articles, website copy, and marketing materials. Maintained strict quality assurance standards and ensured accurate editing and content performance evaluation. Supported content audits, editorial review processes, and collaborative work with cross-functional teams including writers, editors, and stakeholders.
Content Writer at The Harvard Crimson
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Created and edited content for publication, including SEO-focused articles and digital writing. Conducted editorial reviews, fact-checking, and performance evaluations to ensure accuracy, brand consistency, and overall content effectiveness. Collaborated with writers, editors, and stakeholders to improve content quality and workflow efficiency while meeting established style and compliance guidelines.
Social Media Coordinator / Assistant Editor at The Harvard Crimson
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Supported editorial planning and content development, including proofreading and quality control to ensure consistency with brand guidelines and publishing standards. Assisted with social media content operations such as maintaining content calendars, scheduling, publishing across platforms, and monitoring engagement to support brand growth and online visibility. Collaborated cross-functionally to create engaging digital content and support marketing initiatives, maintaining an organized content production workflow and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Education

A-Levels (Valedictorian) at Pioneer Academy, Botswana
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2022
Media and Communications in Journalism (Certificate) at University of Michigan (REMOTE)
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Content Writing and Digital Journalism (Certificate) at University of Michigan (REMOTE)
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Graphic Design (Canva/Figma) at The Harvard Crimson
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022

Qualifications

TEFL/TESOL (Certificate)
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
TEFL / TESOL (Certificate)
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Software & Internet