Art Director

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.

Who we’re looking for: We are seeking a talented and visionary Art Director to own the visual vision for brand and campaign work, from initial concept through to final execution. You will be responsible for transforming business challenges and strategic insights into powerful, coherent, and beautifully crafted visual worlds that span every touchpoint. This role demands a strong creative mind with exceptional craft skills, capable of delivering impactful and distinctive visual storytelling across integrated campaigns and diverse media.

What you’ll be doing:

• Create and develop innovative concepts and creative territories, including key visuals (KVs), visual systems, distinct brand cues, and comprehensive brand guidelines.

• Translate complex briefs into clear, desirable, and distinctive visual storytelling that captivates target audiences.

• Art direct and deliver with strong craft across a wide range of media, including social, digital, film, out-of-home (OOH), print, retail, and experiential brand activations.

• Build compelling moodboards, storyboards, styleframes, layouts, and prototypes to effectively bring ideas to life and visualize concepts.

• Contribute to branding and packaging design when needed, always maintaining an advertising mindset and a strong rigor for production quality.

• Ensure unwavering consistency with established brand standards and deliver top-quality output, from meticulous layout and typography to precise production specifications.

• Support and actively participate in client presentations, confidently defending creative choices and integrating feedback without diluting the core idea.

• Art direct shoots and film productions with a keen eye for impactful imagery and sophisticated post-production.

What you’ll need:

• 3 to 5+ years of experience in an advertising agency or a campaign-led creative studio.

• A strong and compelling portfolio showcasing creative ideas and flawless execution across integrated campaigns, with visible craft and real production examples.

• A strong understanding of advertising culture and conceptual thinking, with the ability to make an idea visually readable quickly and effectively.

• High proficiency in composition, typography, art direction, photography, and illustration.

• Equally comfortable with both high-level concepting and hands-on execution, capable of driving a project from idea to production without compromising quality.

• Curious, culturally aware, and up-to-date with current social and digital codes and trends.

• Comfortable using AI as a creative and production tool for exploration, iteration, references, and prototyping, without allowing it to replace essential craft and human ingenuity.

Additional Competencies:

• Visual Storytelling

• Creative Concept Development

• Art Direction

• Integrated Campaign Design

• Production & Craft Expertise

• Branding & Visual Systems

• Client Presentation

• AI Proficiency (Creative Tool)

• Cultural Awareness

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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