About the job
Who We Are
At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.
Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.
Who We Are Looking For
VML is seeking a conceptually-driven Art Director in our Chicago office. The Art Director will have a knack for delivering fresh thinking to your ideas and designs. You feel at home in a fast-paced agency setting. You are passionate about creative but flexible enough to meet client goals. If this describes you, we look forward to seeing how you can take our team to the next level.
What You'll Do
- Create and communicate concepts by applying brand level awareness as well as campaign tactics.
- Apply consistency and continuity of brand across a variety of deliverables in the design and layout of various client projects.
- Offer strategic and innovative solutions, add/contribute to client meetings, present creative work.
- Design comps, graphic elements and final deliverables.
- Secure approval for all work from the ACD or CD for specific assignments.
- Partner with Copywriter for the timely development and execution of campaigns and projects, including the concepting, execution, referencing and annotating of final deliverables.
- Collaborate with Account Services to understand client goals, strategy and feedback.
- Contribute concepts/ideas to new business pitches, pro-bono and in-house projects.
- Present creative in internal meetings. Participate in client meetings, presentations and other client contact as necessary.
- Minimum 1-2 years' experience in Advertising industry
- Portfolio with successfully launched client projects
- Demonstrated design/concepting/layout ability and typographic skills
- Effective communication skills required
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant graphic design tools
- Demonstrated business acumen, ability to be a team player, establish an information hierarchy, work independently under guidance from Creative Director and other senior team members and ability to assess photography
- Ability to direct and mentor junior team members
- Must be able to establish a vision for photography to be used in creative concepts
- Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
- Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
- Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
- Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.
The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click WPP Benefits for more details.
_: $45,000 USD - $90,000 USD
