Other Women's Jobs // A Day In The Life & Career Of Sara Raffaghello

Name: Sara Raffaghello

Age: 48

Instagram Handle: @mamacantcook

Job Title: Chief Creative Officer, Seven

Moved to the UAE in: 2004

Before joining agency life at Seven, Sara spent twenty years in publishing across newspapers and magazines, learning the true art of storytelling through the marriage of words and visuals. Sara's roots are firmly editorial: she began my career at The Independent as a news desk assistant before moving across the picture desk, subs desk (terrifying for someone dyslexic) and eventually the infographics team.

Although Sara studied design at university, almost everything she knows about creativity, leadership and communication has come through hands-on experience and sheer curiosity. She is a single mother of two teenagers and the owner of more dogs than she probably should have. Sara is also a breast cancer survivor and tries to live each day to its fullest. She will always be grateful for the incredible support Seven gave her during her treatment – a reminder that the right workplace culture can truly change lives.

Today Sara shares a typical day in her life and career:

8.00 AM

Once the children are off to school, I get ready for work. The most stressful part of my morning is finding parking in JLT. It’s a daily exercise in patience and strategy. I get into the office around nine and usually have my first parking ticket by 9.45.

10.00 AM

By ten I’ve gone through my emails, caught up on Slack and made myself a cup of tea. I’m neurodiverse, which means I like a rhythm to my day but not one imposed by someone else. That balance between freedom and structure shapes how I manage my team.

Running a creative department is not about micromanagement; it’s about trust. I believe the best ideas grow in environments where people feel relaxed, valued and free to think differently. I make time to talk to everyone, not about deadlines, but about what’s going on in their lives. When people feel comfortable, you get their best work. Many of the best creatives I know are neurodiverse, and understanding that has shaped my entire approach to leadership.

12.00 NOON

We are a communications agency, which means a constant stream of meetings – internal sessions and client calls. The pace is demanding, but I love it when it’s busy. It must be the legacy of daily newspaper deadlines. Every conversation is an opportunity to push the work further, to ask how we can make it smarter or more relevant.

I like to consume as much content as I can – podcasts, audiobooks, books, TikTok – anything that keeps me plugged in. The more you know, the better you are at your job, especially when it comes to creative strategy.

2.00 PM

Afternoons are often spent working on RFPs or shaping positioning strategies. It’s one of the parts of my job I enjoy most. Writing a strategic narrative or manifesto helps create the golden thread that runs through everything the integrated team produces.

It gives the work direction and coherence. Sometimes I see the story immediately; other times it’s like looking out into fog and I need to bring in colleagues for a fresh perspective. I like people to challenge me and push my thinking – it’s something I really value at work.

4.00 PM

As the day starts to wind down, I clear my inbox and write my list for tomorrow. I’m old-school when it comes to organisation. I use a notebook, draw little squares for each task and take great satisfaction in ticking them off.

Around this time, the creative team and I gather for a cup of tea. It’s become a ritual in the office and something everyone looks forward to. When the weather cools, we sometimes go out for a twenty-minute walk around JLT. I love working here – it’s vibrant, alive and full of energy.

6.00 PM

By six I’m home. I go for a run or a walk with the dogs around the lakes in The Springs. I’ve lived here since 2005 and still love the greenery and calm. It helps me unwind and puts the day into perspective.

Next task: dinner. TikTok has changed my world, giving us an endless supply of quick, creative recipes to try. Cooking has become something I genuinely look forward to.

8.00 PM

This is when we reconnect properly as a family. We eat together, talk about our days, help with homework or just relax in front of the television. Sometimes we’ll go for a walk and grab a matcha. These small moments are what balance the intensity of the day.

10.00 PM

By ten, the children are heading to bed, though sometimes they come to say goodnight to me first. It’s often the first quiet moment I’ve had since morning. I sit, think, read, catch up with my boyfriend or simply let my mind wander.

Sleep is a surprisingly productive space for me. I often wake with solutions to problems or clarity on ideas that had been stuck. My subconscious seems to keep working on the things I’ve not had time to fix, but it also allows me to rest.

I’m deeply grateful for the life I’ve built here. My work challenges me creatively but also allows me the balance to be present as a parent and as a person. After twenty years in Dubai, I’ve realised that real success isn’t about titles or awards. It’s about creating a life that feels whole – one where work, family and curiosity coexist in something close to harmony.