Creative Director

Company: VML
Location: Schiller Park
Posted on: January 26, 2026

Job Description:

About VML 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 human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendys. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55 markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney. We’re looking for a Creative Director with words in their DNA—someone who’s not just led teams, but who has the kind of work in their book that makes other creatives jealous they didn’t think of it first. This isn’t a role for idea dabblers. We want a proven maker who has cracked big brand briefs, sold in bold platforms, and delivered work that’s lived in culture—not just in decks. If your portfolio makes recruiters stop scrolling and juries scribble on their ballots—you’re the type we’re after. You must: Lead and inspire a team with envy-worthy creative ideas that move business. Bring big-brand thinking to everything from quick-turn activations to long-term platforms. Mentor rising creatives, while keeping your own hands in the work. Collaborate with 360 team to ensure ideas thrive in every channel. What we’re looking for: A copywriter’s background, with a career built on concepting, storytelling, and shaping unforgettable campaigns. Award-winning work. Experience leading creative across major brands with national or global reach. Hunger to keep making work that breaks through and gets talked about. QSR or food service experience is a plus but not required—if you’ve driven cultural conversation in other categories, we’re listening. Why this role: You’ll get to work on big brands that need ideas that spark headlines, conversations, and envy across the industry. 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. VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal. 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 $100,000—$230,000 USD We believe the best work happens when were together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. Thats 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.

Keywords: VML, Joliet , Creative Director, PR / Public Relations , Schiller Park, Illinois