Associate Creative Director, Art (Social)

VML South Africa; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative agency seeks a passionate Associate Creative Director to lead social media content creation in Los Angeles. This role involves steering creative vision, developing engaging concepts, and collaborating with a talented team to deliver impactful campaigns across platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The ideal candidate will possess a strong design sensibility, a deep understanding of social media trends, and the ability to mentor others. Join a dynamic team that values creativity and collaboration, and help shape the future of social media marketing.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401k Match

Paid Time Off

Growth Opportunities

Flexible Work Arrangements

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in an agency setting focused on social media.
• Strong portfolio showcasing creative concepts and visual executions.

Responsibilities

• Lead visual direction for social-first campaigns across various platforms.
• Oversee team of creatives on organic and campaign-driven social.

Skills

Social Media Campaigns

Creative Concept Development

Visual Strategy

Collaboration

Communication Skills

Cultural Relevance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Design or Related Field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Figma

After Effects

Job description

Associate Creative Director, Art (Social)

Associate Creative Director, Art (Social)

VML

Department: Creative

Location:

Last Updated: 4/24/2025

Requisition ID: 9867

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 an Associate Creative Director (Art) for our Los Angeles office. As the ACD focusing on social media, you will help steer the creative vision for our social content. Equal parts concept-driven and craft-obsessed, this person brings fresh thinking, a strong design sensibility and a deep understanding of the ever-evolving social landscape. Bonus points if you are versed in shooting, editing and creating content yourself. You’ll lead and mentor a team of designers and art directors, collaborate with copy and strategy and partner closely with clients to deliver work that’s on brand, on trend and on time.

What you’ll do:

• Big idea thinking | Lead the visual direction and execution of social-first campaigns across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and emerging channels.
• Manage | Oversee team of creatives on organic social evergreen and campaign- driven social.
• Concept | Develop creative concepts and visual strategies for social media campaigns across various platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok).
• Create | Concept bold, engaging ideas that drive conversation and cultural relevance for clients.
• Craft|Stay informed about industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in social media and digital marketing.
• Client facing | Regularly connect with clients to create a partnership that builds trust in our thought leadership and ideas. Present work to articulating the “why” behind the creative.
• Collaborate|Collaborate with creative leads, copywriters, strategists, producers, and social managers to bring ideas to life.
• Cultivate|Stay ahead of platform shifts, language trends, and creative best practices in the social landscape.

What you’ll need:

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in an agency setting with a focus on social media campaigns.
• Strong portfolio showcasing creative concepts and visual executions for social media platforms.
• Deep knowledge of social platforms and what types of visuals perform well on each. Excellent understanding of social media platforms, their respective audiences and best practices.
• Experience working in or with influencer campaigns, UGC or creator-led content.
• Understanding of paid vs. organic social strategies.
• Highly collaborative, ego-free, and comfortable giving and receiving feedback.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines, manage multiple projects simultaneously and to work collaboratively as part of a larger team in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Passionate about culture, design, branding, and how they intersect in the social space.
• Expert in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign); Figma, After Effects, or similar motion tools a big plus.

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 inclusivecommunity 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, click WPP Benefits for more details.

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$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.

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 ourRecruitment Privacy Policy . California residents should read ourCalifornia 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.