Associate Creative Director, Art (Health)

VML HEALTH; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage (medical, dental, and

401k with generous match

Paid time off

Job summary

VML Health, a global healthcare agency, seeks an Associate Creative Director, Art, to lead our design team and shape visual storytelling across digital, print, video, and social channels.

You will mentor designers, partner with Strategy and copy to refine concepts, and present award-worthy ideas to clients in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Strong proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and visual storytelling.
• Portfolio demonstrating award-worthy design in healthcare/pharma.
• Solid understanding of design principles, typography, and visual communication.
• Ability to translate complex information into engaging visuals.
• 5-7 years of client/agency experience with 3-5 years in supervision.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire design teams to produce visually stunning healthcare work.
• Partner with Strategy to approve briefs and align concepts with client needs.
• Collaborate with copywriters and cross-functional teams to execute big ideas.
• Present concepts confidently to clients and justify design decisions.
• Oversee multiple projects and manage deadlines across brands.
• Mentor junior art directors and designers for growth.
• Develop visuals across digital, print, video, and social channels.
• Ensure all designs are on-brand and meet marketing objectives.

Skills

Creative direction

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Collaboration

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

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.

About VML Health

VML HEALTH is a global healthcare agency that partners with healthcare clients across a broad definition of health, from high science to wellness and everything in between. It operates fluidly within the VML agency, as a core group of health specialists (a ‘vertical’) that has the benefit of autonomy in management, but with support of non-health expertise. At the heart of health is the story of life – all the highs and lows, ambitions, and possibilities. But facing a health challenge can suddenly pull people away from these stories, knocking them off course. Our purpose is to bridge this gap, bringing people closer to life and all its meaning. We gain a deeper understanding of Healthcare Professionals’ and patients’ needs, behaviors and lived experiences through what we call ‘radical empathy’. VML Health creates connected brands that get to the heart, bringing people closer to the lives they want to live. Get to the heart. Connect for life.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a highly talented and visionary Associate Creative Director, Art, to lead and inspire our design team. You're a strategic thinker with a passion for creating visually stunning and impactful designs for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. You possess a strong understanding of design principles, typography, and visual communication, and the ability to translate complex information into engaging and accessible visuals. You're a natural leader, a skilled communicator, and a collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment.

What You’ll Do

• Day-to-day leader of team(s) and actively guides team to produce visual designs that align to creative brief and solves client challenges in an original and innovative way.


• Contributes creative concepts and partners with Strategy teams to approve creative briefs as needed.


• Work closely with copy partner and guide team(s) to stay focused on the big idea.


• Contributes award-worthy concepts and recommendations to execute ideas.


• Leads production efforts and demonstrates ability to work within budget or can articulate justification to increase budget for projects.


• Foster strong relationships with clients and spot opportunities to enhance or build on a project (upsell).


• Able to present confidently to client and clearly communicate how creative work/design meets the strategic and business objective.


• Manage multiple projects, sometimes for various brands with different scopes and ensure all project of self and team deadlines are met.


• Develop visually compelling designs for a variety of channels, including digital, print, video, and social media.


• Ensure all designs are on-brand and aligned with marketing objectives.


• Mentor and develop junior art directors and designers.

Who You Are

• A highly creative individual with the ability to generate innovative, award-worthy creative and strategic ideas that solve clients’ business challenges.


• A collaborative team player who is eager to partner with a copywriter and cross-functional teams including Account, Strategy, Social, UX and Medical teams.


• A confident and persuasive presenter who can respond well to challenging client situations.

What You'll Need

• Strong proficient knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite.


• A portfolio that demonstrates creative and conceptual thinking and award-winning design, preferably in the healthcare/pharma industry.


• Excellent understanding of design principles, typography, and visual communication.


• The ability to translate complex information into visually engaging designs.


• 5-7 years of relevant client or agency experience with 3-5 years of supervisory experience.

What We Offer

• Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.


• 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.


• 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.


• 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.

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.

$75,000—$180,000 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.