Associate Creative Director - Art - Health- Freelance

twentysix; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Remote work option

Job summary

VML Health seeks an Associate Creative Director, ART - Freelance to lead art direction for pharma campaigns across digital, social and traditional channels. The role partners with copywriters and strategists to translate tone into finished ads that meet client goals.

The ideal candidate has pharma agency experience, a strong portfolio, and skills in UX/UI, print, video storyboarding, and cross-channel campaigns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus seven or more years of copy experience in an advertising, marketing or experiential, creative agency environment.
• Pharma experience in a large advertising agency is required
• Experience within the DTC and/or HCP sphere is especially relevant for this role
• Knowledge of CX/XD based campaigns will be extremely helpful
• Advanced competencies in Microsoft Office, Internet environments and industry-standard software programs
• Understanding of both the art and copy side and the ability to evaluate both
• Experience in and ability to evaluate all mediums to develop fully integrated marketing campaigns
• Strong portfolio of work that demonstrates strategic, conceptual and creative thinking
• Experience with Websites, print materials, patient starter kits, patient ambassador shoots/storyboarding, CVAs a must.
• Conceptual Mastery: proven ability to lead their development from initial brief through to client presentation and execution.
• Design Leadership (ACD, Art): An outstanding portfolio demonstrating visionary art direction, impeccable clean design principles, sophisticated typography, layout, photography/video direction, and mastery of design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, etc.).
• Social & Digital Acumen: Proven expertise in leading the development and execution of highly effective, innovative social media strategies and content across diverse, evolving platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.).
• Work Ethic & Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, and consistently meet challenging deadlines without compromising quality.

Responsibilities

• Provide creative leadership and own assigned projects.
• Conceptualize, plan, produce, and lead diverse creative ideas and concepts.
• Collaborate with client service and delivery leads on scopes, timelines and progress towards launch.

Skills

Copy experience

Art direction

Portfolio

Pharma experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Figma

MS Office

Job description

Who We Are

VML 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 award-winning human-first work for clients including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. In 2026, VML was named Campaign’s Global Network of the Year and ranked #2 Creative Network of the Year at Cannes Lions. 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.

Associate Creative Director- ART- (HEALTH/Pharma) - Freelance

VM, North America

Location: Hybrid// or //Remote

SUMMARY

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 Health is seeking an Associate Creative Director, ART - Freelance for a hybrid/remote role. The ACD, Art- Freelance is a visual storyteller who works closely with copywriters and strategists to conceive and create concepts for digital, social and traditional channels that directly impact the Consumers Experience for a large Pharma Brand and will create Art and Design that enhances connected experiences, across all possible ways a consumer can interact with a brand: i.e. via desktop, mobile, social, etc. The entire creative team will work together to translate these ideas from the written tone into a finished ad to meet our clients’ business objectives. Our creative teams always strive to create boundary pushing, award-winning work. Demonstrated experience in either HCP or DTC conceptual campaigns with both Art and Design flair is essential.

What you’ll do:

• Manage | Provide creative leadership as well as vision and inspiration to creative staff. Own assigned projects and manage all aspects of the assignment, team, creative work, budget, and presenting. Work with Creative Directors ensuring quality and accuracy on all creative products. Make recommendations to senior leadership and other team members on how to improve process and product deliverables through launch.

• Create | Demonstrate creativity through efficiently conceptualizing, planning, producing, refining, and leading a diverse range of creative ideas and concepts. Work in a hands on Art/Design capacity and performs those duties. Present creative rationale during internal and client presentations. Drive the creative solution. Offer proactive concepts and ensure successful progression.

• Collaborate | Communicate with client service Account Director(s) and Delivery Leads regarding business scopes, financials, schedules, and planning. Collaborate with creative leaders with all creative deliverables and progress towards launch.

Who you are:

• Leader | Entrepreneurial attitude. Ability and appetite to create bring people together. Posses an Innate knack to marshal people and create gravity around ideas. Prioritize, organize and multi-task effectively. exhibit client service approach with results-driven performance. Effectively solve marketing problems with creative solutions.

• Open and collaborative | Our team is close-knit and supportive and we’re working with a lot of unknowns – you must be a champion of team environments that are comfortable with ambiguity and encourage collaboration. Accept constructive internal and client comments with regard to concepts and copy.

• An experimenter | Embrace the unknown and ready to break process. You’ll be excited by opportunities to create new rather than default to plugging-in to existing ones, while leaning towards experimentation. You see technology as a tool for creativity. Provide guidance across departments in a team and matrix environment.

• Ego-less | We all wear the hats that need wearing, it’s a mentality that makes the team successful.

What you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree plus seven or more years of copy experience in an advertising, marketing or experiential, creative agency environment.

• Pharma experience in a large advertising agency is required

• Experience within the DTC and/or HCP sphere is especially relevant for this role

• Knowledge of CX/XD based campaigns will be extremely helpful

• Advanced competencies in Microsoft Office, Internet environments and industry-standard software programs

• Understanding of both the art and copy side and the ability to evaluate both

• Experience in and ability to evaluate all mediums to develop fully integrated marketing campaigns

• Strong portfolio of work that demonstrates strategic, conceptual and creative thinking

• Experience with Websites, print materials, patient starter kits, patient ambassador shoots/storyboarding, CVAs a must.

• Conceptual Mastery: proven ability to lead their development from initial brief through to client presentation and execution.

• Design Leadership (ACD, Art): An outstanding portfolio demonstrating visionary art direction, impeccable clean design principles, sophisticated typography, layout, photography/video direction, and mastery of design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, etc.).

• Social & Digital Acumen: Proven expertise in leading the development and execution of highly effective, innovative social media strategies and content across diverse, evolving platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.).

• Work Ethic & Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, and consistently meet challenging deadlines without compromising quality.

The hourly compensation for this position at the time of this posting may range from $90 per hour to $120 per hour. Individual compensation varies based on job related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications.

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

The compensation 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.

$90—$120 USDWe 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.