Creative Director, Art Job at VML South Africa in Kansas City

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 looking for:

VML is seeking a Creative Director to join our world-class creative team: A next-level conceptual thinker and artist who knows all when it comes to creating work that demands attention across all digital and social platforms. You should be able to work and lead, owning an array of client projects. Excellent client relationship and presentation skills are expected.

We’re looking for someone who can do the job and then surprise us with something we’ve never thought of. A one-two punch of confidence and inspiration. Someone who possesses a talent for transforming great ideas into award-winning creative and has a passion for visual storytelling. We are looking for a Creative leader who enjoys selling their ideas as much as they love crafting them.

What you’ll do:

1. Create | Ideate constantly and be passionate about bringing innovative ideas to every brief, tactic, execution, and conversation. Capture brand voice in interactive marketing materials from conception to execution of final deliverables. Be the voice for your team.
2. Collaborate | Partner with the CD Copy and design team leadership for the timely development and execution of campaigns and projects, including the concepting and execution of final deliverables.
3. Set the Trends | Be an expert in doing it before it’s been done, know current trends and what’s next. Perform strategic and next-level creative thinking to create innovative solutions across multiple channels.
4. Build Client Relationships | Spearhead client reviews, and work with team to achieve results. Present creative material in both internal and client meetings. Participate in client presentations, and manage client contact as necessary.

Who you are:

1. A Builder | Forms relationships as a trustworthy and essential team lead across relevant markets, regions, and businesses. Easily recognized and trusted within the agency. Able to spin up creative input in brainstorming sessions.
2. Creatively Brave | Passionate about the power of creativity with the knowledge to identify and nurture the best ideas. Adapts to solve clients’ challenges. Creates visuals for multichannel initiatives, presentations, and other projects.
3. Ambitious | Continuously re-imagines how to partner with clients to build better futures for their business; pro-actively seeks out new opportunities and lateral ideas to solve clients’ biggest business issues. You know what you like, what you’re after, and how to navigate any scenario that comes your way.
4. Ego-less | We all wear the hats that need wearing- it’s a mentality that makes the team successful.

What you’ll need:

1. Minimum 9 years of experience in a creative advertising agency.
2. Portfolio featuring a wide range of award-worthy creative work that displays mastery of your craft.
3. A strong working knowledge of visual design, art direction and the creative process.
4. Proven conceptual and campaign experience; demonstrated success working on integrated campaigns that include broadcast, digital, social and everything in between.
5. Solid understanding of creative development—from drafting briefs to executing deliverables.
6. Strong ability to prioritize work and resources across engagements based on short and long-term need. Timelines, budgets, and availabilities change—we need someone who can roll with it.
7. Ability to direct and mentor junior team members.
8. Ability to handle a high-volume environment with rapid turnaround times and manage multiple tasks and project details.
9. Practiced time management skills and a strong work ethic.

What we offer:

1. Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
2. Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
3. Competitive benefits | What we offer full-time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
4. Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.

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.

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.