VML Verified

Marketing

Creative Director, Art

Chicago, ILOnsiteFull TimeDirector$100,000–$230,000 /yrPosted 2 months agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

TV
film
branding
concepting
art direction
creative leadership
broadcast production
video production
new business pitches
client presentations

Nice to have

wellbeing
empathetic
curious
adaptable
brave ideas

Role summary

VML is seeking a hands-on Creative Director, Art to lead and execute exceptional creative work, with a strong focus on TV, film, and brand campaigns. This role requires a maker who can bring ideas to life, partner with various teams, and drive new business pitches with bold visual thinking. The ideal candidate is an empathetic, curious, and adaptable creator with extensive agency experience in art direction and a passion for broadcast production and mentoring talent. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits, with a hybrid work model.

Who We Are

VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world’s leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.

VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

For more information, please visit www.vml.com and follow along on LinkedIn #WeAreVML.

Who We Are Looking For

At VML, we create connected brands that drive value for our clients and impact the world. We are looking for a hands-on Creative Director, Art to join a small, tight-knit, and growing team. This is a role for a true maker — someone who wants to roll up their sleeves and craft exceptional work, not just direct it from afar.

With a heavy emphasis on TV, film, branding, and concepting, you will be front and center on major campaign briefs and new business opportunities. If you're deeply passionate about television and film production and thrive in a high-output environment that still respects your time and work-life balance, this is your chance to help shape the future of our creative output.

What You'll Do

Lead and execute high-level concepting and art direction, with a primary focus on TV, film, and brand campaigns

Actively make and produce work — rolling up your sleeves alongside a team of doers to bring ideas to life

Own every TV brief that comes through — from first idea to final frame

Partner with strategy, account, and production teams to align creative with client objectives

Drive new business pitches with bold, fresh visual thinking

Help build and elevate the team's capabilities in broadcast and film as the department grows

Sustain a high-output culture that still prioritizes balance and wellbeing

Who You Are

A deeply empathetic collaborator who builds trust and fosters environments where great ideas can come from anywhere (Heart)

A relentlessly curious problem-solver who distills complex brand challenges into clear, compelling visual stories (Brains)

A bold, adaptable creator who challenges the status quo, champions brave ideas, and owns the work from first sketch to final cut (Courage)

What You'll Need

Extensive experience in art direction and creative leadership in an agency setting

A portfolio with significant TV, film, branding, and integrated campaign work

Exceptional conceptual thinking paired with strong hands-on execution

Proven ability to present and sell creative work to clients, especially in high-stakes new business scenarios

Deep understanding of the broadcast and video production process

A genuine passion for the craft and a desire to mentor and elevate the talent around you

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.

_$100,000—$230,000 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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