Executive Creative Director

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

Who we are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

An Executive Creative Director is a dynamic agency leader who drives a creative vision across multiple teams to create and produce award-winning solutions for clients. ECDs lead portfolios of client business, build and lead multidisciplinary teams, and routinely interact with key senior clients and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Attract, develop and retain top creative talent.
• Inspire all levels of creative leadership.
• Partner with strategy lead to develop unified creative briefs.
• Provide high-level concept guidance to optimize creative work produced by their teams.
• Promote and facilitate a culture of collaboration between agency and clients.
• Foster ongoing improvements in creative processes and methodologies.
• Ensure creative objectives and approaches align with both agency and client goals.
• Lead creative for new business as well as pitch new business.
• Inspire and motivate the team creatively – make it about them, never about yourself.
• Motivate reluctant clients to embrace better work than requested.
• Determine staffing plan and overall reporting structure for the team.
• Conduct ongoing performance reviews of the team and provide team members with opportunities to grow and thrive creatively.
• Lead pro bono projects.

Required Skills & Experience

• 15+ years of experience in advertising or marketing.
• Extensive team leadership experience.
• Strong ability to grow client relationships.
• Expert in design or writing skills.
• Advanced presentation/pitching new business experience.
• Advanced communication and collaboration skills.
• Advanced understanding of marketing, advertising and technology.
• Ideally, an ECD has a bachelor’s in design, advertising, journalism or a related field, and/or attended portfolio school.

VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.

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.

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$155,000-$390,000 USD

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization-creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers-who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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