Associate Creative Director

Who We Are

VML, part of WPP, 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.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

YOUR ROLE IN A NUTSHELL

The Associate Creative Director serves as a champion and consultant for the Creative Process itself. To achieve greater interdepartmental workflow efficiencies and sharper creative outcomes from other department members, via strong liaison with the traffic coordination manager and Executive Creative Director.

This person also helps align big strategic ideas from the Director of Strategy, with the creative outcomes of the department. The goal: to solve the Clients business objectives through the efficient application of the creative processes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, provide direction, and execute on organisational strategies to solve client problems

• Understand each client’s organisation & business objectives to develop solutions that influence creative outcomes

• Partner with project managers to estimate hours, timelines and schedules to deliver work on time.

• Develop efficiencies, and constantly review procedures to ensure maximum workflow functionality.

• Drive strategic and conceptual capabilities across multiple platforms while evaluating capabilities across multiple systems.

• Be a coach, mentor and direct support to more junior members of the department.

• Develop opportunities to grow existing business for clients by identifying strategic & creative gaps in the competitive set.

• Lead project related meetings, throughput production sessions and job completion presentations.

• Proactively work across disciplines to identify organisational opportunities that can benefit the agency

• Maintain a strong knowledge of digital trends, technology and organisational methodologies.

• Travel as needed for client visits

• Other responsibilities as needed

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/SKILLS/CAPABILITIES

• A Bachelor’s in marketing & communication, advertising, journalism, or MBA.

• At least eight years of experience in the advertising or communication industries.

• Advanced working knowledge of the organisational principles and programs needed to execute a wide variety of materials.

• Proven capabilities in managing and executing creative strategies.

• Advanced understanding of marketing, advertising, and technological analysis.

• Strong presentation and organisational skills.

• Advanced knowledge of Adobe CS, Keynote & Microsoft Suite

COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Thinking

• Organisational Leadership

• Team leadership

• An analytical curiosity

• Adaptivity

• Continuous learner and lover of creativity

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Experience working in an agency environment is highly preferred.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are required for this role.

• The Associate Creative Director should be able to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and clients.

• A strong portfolio showcasing previous creative work is a must-have.

• The ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines is crucial.

• Experience in managing and mentoring junior team members is preferred.

• Knowledge of emerging trends and technologies in the advertising and marketing industries is highly desirable.

VML GUIDING VALUES

BRAINS - Challenge ourselves to solve people’s problems that sets a new standard.

HEARTS - Every idea is rooted in deep empathy for the people it serves.

COURAGE - Conviction and communication make the impossible, possible.

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.

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

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