Design Director

twentysix; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

VML Detroit is seeking an award-winning Design Director to lead the visual lead across a major automotive account. You will elevate brand storytelling and creative output across campaigns and channels while maintaining graphic standards and craft.

You are a hands-on leader skilled in brand design, typography, motion graphics, and emerging AI tools. You will mentor teams, build award submissions, and present concepts to executives.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in visual design/brand design/art direction at a top-tier agency or global design studio.
• Strong typography, layout, and brand systems with global scale experience.
• Fluent in static, interactive, and motion design; knowledge of AI video generation tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead design territories and-set visual benchmark for major campaigns from concept to final execution.
• Collaborate with workstream leads to integrate visual storytelling across channels.
• Design award show case studies, agency reels, and executive pitch decks.
• Mentor and influence senior and mid-level design talent; partner with leadership.

Skills

Visual design

Brand design

Art direction

Typography

Motion design

AI video generation

Leadership

Presentation skills

Collaboration

Tools

Figma

Adobe Creative Suite

After Effects

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.

VML Detroit is seeking an award-winning Design Director to serve as the visual lead across a major automotive account. In this role, you will elevate both big-picture brand storytelling and day-to-day creative output across all workstreams, including Brand, Retail, and Services. You will maintain graphic standards while pushing visual boundaries across global campaigns, retail communications, and digital touchpoints for an iconic American brand.

You are a hands-on leader skilled in brand design, digital experiences, motion graphics, and next-gen AI video generation. Partnering closely with creative teams, you will oversee visual quality across all deliverables to ensure exceptional craft. You must bring strong presentation skills, a passion for mentoring, and hands-on experience building case studies, award submissions, and executive pitch decks.

What you’ll do:

• Craft | You’ll lead design territories and set the visual benchmark for major brand campaigns from concept through final execution. You will be directly hands-on in crafting visual languages, brand systems, advanced typography, motion graphics, and leveraging next-gen AI video generation tools to explore cutting-edge concepts. You will oversee all creative output across various account workstreams (including Retail and Automotive Financial Services), ensuring strict adherence to graphic standards while continually elevating the overall look and feel.

Collaborate | You’ll partner closely with workstream leads to integrate visual storytelling seamlessly across every channel. You’ll inspire the team to push creative boundaries, explore innovative visual techniques, and raise the bar on daily output. You will also lead the design of award show case studies, agency reels, and high-stakes executive presentations that showcase our best work on a global stage.

• Partner | You will serve as a trusted visual design authority for internal leadership and senior client partners. You’ll articulate complex design choices with authority and clarity, advocate for visual innovation, and champion design excellence across every brief. Additionally, you will assist with recruitment, portfolio screening, and mentoring senior and mid-level design talent.

Who you are:

• Visual Master & Master Typographer | You possess an exceptional eye for visual aesthetics, layout, grid systems, and typography. You see design as a fundamental storytelling tool and have a proven track record of creating iconic visual work on a global scale. You are fluent in static, interactive, and motion design, with an active mastery or deep exploration of emerging technologies like AI video generation.

• Hands-On Leader & Craft Obsessor | You don’t just direct from a distance—you roll up your sleeves and lead by example. You are obsessed with the details, from pixel-perfect UI and motion keyframes to brand guidelines and production fidelity, ensuring that both high-profile campaign work and daily retail assets maintain an award-winning standard of craft.

• Inspiring Storyteller & Presenter | You excel at presenting design concepts, building persuasive pitch decks, and crafting compelling case studies that win awards and executive buy-in. You have an infectious passion for design that motivates creative teams to take risks, innovate, and produce career-defining work.

What you’ll need:

• A minimum of 7+ years specializing in visual design, brand design, and art direction within a progressive, top-tier creative agency or global design studio.

An award-winning portfolio featuring iconic work and absolute mastery of craft, typography, brand identity systems, motion design, and digital experiences.

• Hands-on expertise in design applications (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects/motion software) and demonstrated experience using or directing next-gen AI image and video generation tools.

• Proven experience overseeing visual work across diverse brand touchpoints, including brand campaigns, retail, and financial services divisions.

• Demonstrated track record of upholding, evolving, and maintaining brand graphic standards across large-scale accounts.

• Proven ability to build and deliver compelling presentations, award show submissions, and case studies.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills to articulate design decisions clearly and confidently to executive clients and internal partners.

• Strong leadership, collaboration, and mentorship abilities to inspire a multi-disciplinary creative department.

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.

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