Associate Creative Director, Art

Company: VML
Location: Portland
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. Who we are looking for: VML is seeking an Associate Creative Director (Art) to lead and elevate the visual identity of a sports brand. You’ll shape the look, feel, and creative direction across campaigns including traditional (TVC and OOH), social and photography. This role blends art direction, visual design and team collaboration to bring bold, energetic creative to life. What you’ll do: Big idea thinking | Divergent thinking that leads to the creation of unique experiences across all existing and new channels that drives conversion and brand love. Manage | Ensure all creative work aligns with brand standards, meets performance goals and resonates with diverse audiences. Concept | Lead visual concepting and execution of integrated brand campaigns. Create | Direct and participate in photo and video shoots, ensuring consistency in lighting, composition, styling and brand tone. Craft | Ensure a cohesive, modern and elevated visual identity. Client Facing | Regularly connects with the clients to create a partnership building trust in our thought leadership and ideas. Collaborate | Collaborate with creative leads, copywriters, strategists, producers and social managers to bring ideas to life. What you’ll need: Minimum 7 years of experience in a creative advertising agency. A portfolio that shows strong conceptual thinking, art direction and versatility across digital, social, traditional and everything in between. Strong knowledge across multichannel retail and how storytelling shows up in 360 campaigns. 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. Obsessed with culture, lifestyle, brand devotion, trends and the ever-evolving social landscape. Passionate about sports. From basketball to football (both kinds), tennis, baseball, MMA, and everything in between. Retail, activewear, fashion or lifestyle brand 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. 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 $75,000—$180,000 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, Hillsboro , Associate Creative Director, Art, Design, Graphic Design & CAD , Portland, Oregon