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 Creative Director with a distinguished art direction background to lead high-profile projects to join our world class creative team on a client in the CPG category. In this role, you will be the creative force to cultivate and drive great work – making sure talent is engaged and work stays sharp. You will be both a conceptual and strategic thinker, able to nurture and conceive of brilliant ideas while also understanding how those ideas solve business problems. The Creative Director will work closely with account directors, strategists and project managers to ensure that the work is breathtaking in execution and delivered on time and on budget.
To be successful in this role, you should be a skilled team leader, able to confidently inspire teams to dream up mind-blowing ideas and executions, as well as provide a calming, rallying influence when deadlines, feedback and priorities collide. You will provide specific direction to designers with the goal of pushing the work to award-winning levels. This role requires independence and leadership – confidence in your creative sensibilities is key.
NOTE: VML observes a hybrid work schedule. Eligible candidates for this role will be able to join the current cadence for this client of working on-site in NYC on at least Wednesdays and Thursdays.
What you’ll do:
- People | Build and lead a team of creative innovators. In addition to overseeing art directors, writers, and designers, you’ll act as a mentor and helps develop the growth of those creatives.
- Process | Drive, develop, and deliver presentations, and, when appropriate, take over meetings and influence their outcomes. Anticipate team and client’s needs and project risks, participate in driving resolution. Inspire clients and co-workers through good work, good spirit, and excellent communication.
- Work | Conceptualize new solutions for a digital world. Serve as the creative leader; partner with account director to ensure health of account and account growth. Act as mitigated risk taker, with an insatiable appetite for improvement and creating opportunities.
- Lead & Innovate | Exemplify fearlessness in the face of the undefined and a passion for bringing order through design exploration. Concept and collaborate on campaign ideas, digital tactics, and other marketing activations with a creative team while working on multiple projects.
What you’ll need:
- Minimum of 9 years of experience in a creative advertising agency.
- Portfolio featuring a wide range of award-worthy creative work that displays mastery of your craft.
- A strong working knowledge of visual design, art direction and the creative process.
- Proven conceptual and campaign experience; demonstrated success working on integrated campaigns that include broadcast, digital, social and everything in between.
- Solid understanding of creative development—from drafting briefs to executing deliverables.
- Strong ability to prioritize work and resources across engagements based on short and long-term need. Timelines, budgets, and availabilities change—we need someone who can roll with it.
- Well-versed in the scriptwriting process and in crafting contributions to both short and long-form content.
- Ability to direct and mentor junior team members.
- Ability to handle a high-volume environment with rapid turnaround times and manage multiple tasks and project details.
- Practiced time management skills and a strong work ethic.
What we offer:
- 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.
VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.
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.
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$100,000—$230,000 USD
At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.
VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
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