Art Director

Art Director | Careers | VML

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Art Director

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Art Director

Brand: VML

Capability: Creative

Location: Chicago, IL, United States & Kansas City, MO, United States

Last Updated: ${ new Date('2026-05-11T16:42:37-04:00').toLocaleDateString() }

Requisition ID: 15678

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.

Who We Are Looking For

At VML, we are looking for a visionary and strategic Senior Art Director to join our team and lead the visual direction of compelling campaigns that capture attention and drive action. In this role, you will be a defining visual force behind the brands we represent, partnering closely with cross-functional teams to own and execute big ideas from concept to completion. This role aligns with our Human First approach, focusing on creating authentic, sustainable value for people and ensuring our work resonates on a deeply human level.

What You'll Do

• Lead and own the visual direction and execution of innovative campaigns across digital, social, print, video, and experiential platforms.
• Act as a strategic partner to clients, copywriters, and internal teams, ensuring all visual output aligns with the overarching brand strategy and objectives.
• Confidently present and defend creative work to senior stakeholders and clients, articulating the strategic thinking behind your visual choices.
• Mentor and guide junior designers and art directors, providing constructive feedback and fostering a collaborative, growth-oriented team environment.
• Oversee the quality of visual deliverables, ensuring exceptional design, typography, photography, and consistent brand alignment.

Who You Are

• You approach problem-solving with relentless curiosity and strategic insight, simplifying complex challenges into clear, engaging, and highly effective visual solutions.
• You build trust through empathy, collaborating seamlessly with cross-functional teams and mentoring others to create work that connects with audiences on a human level.
• You are comfortable with ambiguity and aren't afraid to challenge the status quo, pitch bold ideas, and champion inclusive visual storytelling at the highest levels.

What You'll Need

• A robust portfolio demonstrating a proven track record of conceptual thinking, exceptional design skills, and successful campaign execution across various media.
• Deep understanding of design principles, typography, photography, and how to translate complex creative briefs into compelling visual narratives.
• Extensive experience presenting to and building relationships with senior clients and internal stakeholders.
• Comfortable with industry-standard design tools and platforms, with the agility to pivot quickly between different brand aesthetics and complex project types.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a passion for mentoring and elevating the visual craft of those around you.

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.

When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

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