Creative Director, VML Chicago, IL, US Workplace On-site ago

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  and follow along on Linked In #WeAreVML.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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,…