Creative Director (Commerce)

Who we are looking for:

VML is seeking an experienced Creative Director, Commerce (Art or Copy background) to join our creative team. Someone who is a strong leader and collaborator with creative commerce expertise and experience with a global client.

In this role, you will be located in Chicago, overseeing the creative commerce team for the global arm of one of our most important CPG clients. This role is part of a multi-agency model, working hand in hand with other agencies that manage brand platform development, media and social. Your role will be to work with these agencies as a central global commerce lead, managing the vision and deployment of connected creative commerce tactics, toolkits and breakthrough activation across multiple markets for multiple brands.

You should be able to work with brand teams to develop extensions into commerce with tactics and toolkit elements. Additionally, you should be able to deliver concepts and ideas that can be sold into global markets to activate at retail.

You should be able to lead and own an array of client projects, demonstrating presentation skills like a natural. You should be versed in working in a multi-agency model (Integrated Agency Team) and open to collaborating with agencies virtually and in-person as needed in the Chicago WPP campus office.

What you'll do:

• Concept and collaborate on creative commerce activation and campaign ideas that can be executed in markets across the globe
• Adapt brand platform ideas into commerce tactics and toolkits seamlessly, with application to global market needs and strategies
• Manage a team that brainstorms and collaborates day to day with our agency partners
• 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
• 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 strong work, a collaborative spirit and excellent communication

Who you are:

• A Builder | Process-oriented innovator with an ability and appetite to create and 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 brand to commerce work with an understanding of how it works through social, digital shelf and media.
• Outstanding portfolio showcasing digital, commerce and social platforms with strong conceptual thinking.
• Solid understanding of creative development—from drafting briefs to executing deliverables.
• 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.
• CPG experience a 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 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.