Creative Director, Copy

VML; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Hybrid work

Full-time salary

Job summary

VML in Chicago is seeking a seasoned Creative Director, Copywriter to lead award-winning ideas across brand, activation and social campaigns. You will mentor teams, translate client vision into strategic roadmaps, write copy, and defend concepts with confidence.

This full-time, hybrid role offers a salary range of $100,000–$230,000 USD depending on experience, with a comprehensive benefits package. Hybrid office presence four days a week and a collaborative, fast-paced environment that rewards

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in creative direction.
• Portfolio with launched client projects across broadcast, social and more.
• Strong conceptual thinking shown in digital and social platforms.
• Solid understanding of creative development from briefs to deliverables.
• Well-versed in scriptwriting for short and long-form content.

Responsibilities

• Concept and collaborate on campaign ideas with a creative team across multiple projects.
• Translate client vision into a roadmap that guides the agency and delivers measurable impact.
• Craft original concepts and copy, collaborating with writers on execution.
• Partner with the Creative Director (Art) to present and defend work for client needs.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure timely deliverables.
• Anticipate team and client needs, manage risks and drive resolutions.
• Inspire clients and colleagues through high-quality work and strong communication.

Skills

Creative direction

Portfolio

Scriptwriting

Brand storytelling

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

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.

Who We Are Looking For

VML is seeking the next brilliant Creative Director, Copywriter to join our world class creative team. A conceptual thinker who can write short form, long-form, brand acts, activations, scripts, social and everything in between. You should be able to work independently as well as collaboratively; and you must bring excellent skills in client relationship building. You should be able to work and lead, owning an array of client projects - and demonstrating presentation skills like a natural!

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 has humor and enjoys selling their ideas as much as they love crafting them.

What You’ll Do

• Concept and collaborate on campaign ideas with a creative team while working on multiple projects.
• Oversee the translation of the client’s vision into a roadmap that guides our agency, not only to achieve client goals, but also to generate work that is creatively brilliant, measurable and impactful.
• Craft original concepts, execute copy based on established voice/tone and collaborate with writers on copy execution.
• Partner with the Creative Director (Art) to concept, write, present and defend work while addressing client needs.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across the agency to ensure timely deliverables.
• Anticipate team and client needs, project risks and participate in driving resolution.
• Inspire clients and co-workers through good work, good spirit and excellent communication.

Who You Are

• A Builder | Process-oriented innovator with an ability and appetite to create bring people together. Innate ability to marshal people (team and client) and create gravity around ideas.
• 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 and encouraging, especially working cross‑discipline.
• Optimistic and resilient | Dig in and figure out how to work around problems. Provide a balance needed to maintain stamina and positivity.
• Ego‑less | We all wear the hats that need wearing, it’s a mentality that makes the team successful.

What You’ll Need

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in creative direction, preferably in advertising or a related industry.
• Portfolio with successfully launched client projects on broadcast work, social and everything in between.
• Outstanding portfolio showcasing digital and social platforms with strong conceptual thinking.
• Solid understanding of creative development—from drafting briefs to executing deliverables.
• Well‑versed in scriptwriting and in crafting both short and long‑form content.
• Ability to direct and mentor junior team members.
• Ability to handle a high‑volume environment with rapid turnaround times and manage multiple tasks and project details.
• Practiced time management skills and a strong work ethic.
• Agriculture experience a plus but not needed.
• If you follow golf and a golf lover, brownie points. :)

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, click WPP Benefits for more details.

$100,000—$230,000 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.