Creative Director, Art and Design

Newport Beach, CA (Hybrid)

$100K/yr – $230K/yrSenior LevelFull time

Posted 4 weeks ago

Job Summary

Own and steer a multidisciplinary creative team to deliver concept-driven packaging across print, OOH, and direct mail, while managing production calendars and presenting strategy-driven case studies.

  • Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of art directors, designers, and copywriters.
  • Oversee conceptualization and execution of packaging design, print, OOH, and direct mail.
  • Present compelling portfolio and case studies to leadership.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Lead and Mentor: Manage, mentor, and empower a multidisciplinary team of art directors, designers, and copywriters, fostering a culture of creative excellence and continuous growth that strengthens the agency's production capabilities.
  • Drive Conceptual Excellence: Oversee the conceptualization and execution of high-visibility packaging design, print, OOH, and direct mail — ensuring every deliverable is rooted in a strong strategic idea that delivers on client objectives.
  • Navigate Structured Production: Lead seamlessly within a production-forward environment, managing long production timelines and annual calendars to ensure on-time, on-brief delivery across all accounts.
  • Present with Purpose: Build and deliver compelling portfolio and case study presentations that clearly articulate creative rationale and strategic context to internal leadership and key stakeholders.
  • Foster Collaboration: Travel periodically to collaborate directly with core stakeholders across locations, ensuring seamless creative integration and alignment on priorities.

Requirements

  • Proven Creative Director experience within an agency environment, with a demonstrated ability to orchestrate and manage creative workflows.
  • Deep expertise and a strong portfolio in packaging design, supported by extensive experience across print, OOH, and direct mail.
  • A track record of thriving in a structured, production-heavy environment with long-term schedules and established workflows.
  • Exceptional presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate strategic context, craft rationale, and case studies to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Comfort and willingness to work on tobacco industry accounts.
  • Willingness and ability to accommodate occasional required travel.

Benefits

  • We offer a competitive benefits package, click WPP Benefits for more details.
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VML

3.5 Glassdoor

VML is a global powerhouse born from the unification of Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R — two of the world's most powerful and accomplished creative agencies with complementary capabilities and geographic strengths. We have an industry-unique opportunity to provide our client partners with a fully integrated offering across brand experience, customer experience and commerce practices — powered by deep data and technology experience. For more information, visit www.vml.com.

Founded in 2024
New York, New York, US
33K employees (8,368 in marketing)
67% recommend to a friend
79% CEO approval

Salaries

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$100K/yr – $230K/yr

Taken straight from the job posting.

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Creative Director, Art and Design

VML · Newport Beach, CA · Hybrid