Job Description

About VML

VML is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit   www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram,  LinkedIn, and  X

VML is an award-winning creative powerhouse dedicated to crafting culture-defining brand experiences. We partner with some of the world's most iconic brands to push boundaries, spark conversations, and achieve groundbreaking results. We believe in the power of big ideas, meticulous craft, and a collaborative spirit that fosters innovation. If you're looking to create work that resonates, disrupts, and wins awards, you've found your home.

The Opportunity: Are you an accomplished Associate Creative Director, Art – ready to lead and shape the creative vision for a leading global CPG brand? We're searching for an exceptional leadership team with a robust track record in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) to join our rapidly growing creative department. This is a unique opportunity to not only generate but also guide the execution of breakthrough, award-winning campaigns that are conceptually brilliant, culturally relevant, social-first, flawlessly executed, and strategically sound. You'll be instrumental in developing 'out-of-the-box' thinking and elevating creative standards for a brand poised for its next iconic chapter.

What You'll Do:

• Conceptual Leadership: Lead the conceptualization and development of truly integrated, groundbreaking, and strategic "big ideas" that solve complex client challenges and achieve measurable results within the CPG landscape. Own concepts from genesis to final presentation.
• Campaign Direction & Execution: Oversee and direct the development of compelling, multi-channel creative campaigns across digital, social, video, print, OOH, and experiential, ensuring all elements align with the overarching creative vision and strategy.
• Social & Cultural Prowess: Drive the creation of highly engaging, thumb-stopping, and culturally relevant social-first content and campaigns. Demonstrate a deep, nuanced understanding of platform best practices, emerging trends, and diverse consumer insights to connect with audiences authentically.
• Art Direction (ACD, Art): Provide visionary art direction and design leadership, ensuring all visual work embodies a clean, modern aesthetic and impeccable craft. Elevate visual storytelling, oversee photography, videography, and illustration, and ensure brand consistency across all touchpoints. Maintain mastery of design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, etc.) and stay at the forefront of visual trends and innovation.
• Strategic & Out-of-the-Box Thinking: Consistently challenge creative norms, foster 'out-of-the-box' thinking within the team, and push creative boundaries to develop innovative, distinctive, and effective solutions that differentiate our brands.
• Client & Internal Presentation: Confidently and articulately present and sell creative ideas to senior clients and internal stakeholders, effectively articulating creative rationale, anticipating feedback, and refining work strategically.
• Mentorship & Team Leadership: Actively mentor and inspire junior creatives, fostering a collaborative, positive, and high-performing team environment. Provide constructive feedback and contribute to their professional growth.
• Quality & Award-Winning Standards: Uphold the highest standards of craft and execution, consistently striving for and achieving award-winning potential in every project.

What You'll Bring:

• Experience:
• Minimum of 6-8+ years of progressive professional experience each (ACD, Art) within a leading advertising agency or in-house creative department, with a significant focus on CPG.
• A standout portfolio showcasing exceptional conceptual thinking, strategic CPG campaign leadership, and a history of generating impactful, award-worthy work is essential.
• Conceptual Mastery: A portfolio rich with complex, integrated campaign concepts and the proven ability to lead their development from initial brief through to client presentation and execution.
• Design Leadership (ACD, Art): An outstanding portfolio demonstrating visionary art direction, impeccable clean design principles, sophisticated typography, layout, photography/video direction, and mastery of design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, etc.).
• Social & Digital Acumen: Proven expertise in leading the development and execution of highly effective, innovative social media strategies and content across diverse, evolving platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.).
• Cultural Relevance: A deep understanding of current cultural trends, consumer insights, and an innate ability to translate them into relevant, inclusive, and modern creative work that resonates widely.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with a track record of successfully leading teams, fostering collaboration, and managing client relationships effectively.
• Work Ethic & Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, and consistently meet challenging deadlines without compromising quality.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Advertising, Marketing, Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Journalism, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).

Bonus Points:

• Direct experience leading work for Skin and Beauty brands within your CPG portfolio.
• A portfolio featuring numerous industry awards (e.g., Clios, One Show, D&AD, Cannes Lions, Effies).
• Experience with emerging technologies, interactive experiences, or innovative media.

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.

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.

_ $75,000—$180,000 USD

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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