Creative Director (Art)

The Role

VML Kansas City is seeking an exceptional Creative Director with a strong Art Direction background to join our world-class creative team. You are a master of high craft and a strategic leader who understands how to make brands resonate deeply within culture-focused work.

We need a trailblazer who excels in non-traditional storytelling across all channels, with an undeniable passion for strong social impact. With significant QSR experience, you thrive in fast-paced environments, delivering creative that drives action and shapes conversations.

You're not just looking to do the job; you're looking to redefine it. We're seeking a one-two punch of confidence and inspiration – someone who can transform insights into award-winning creative, possesses an innate talent for visual storytelling, and genuinely enjoys selling groundbreaking ideas as much as crafting them. You’ll be the visual architect, pushing boundaries and inspiring teams to create culturally relevant, beautifully executed work that truly connects.

What You'll Do

• Innovate: Lead the conception and development of groundbreaking, social-first campaigns and non-traditional storytelling concepts that capture attention and drive engagement. Pioneer new visual approaches and interactive experiences that push creative boundaries for our QSR clients.
• Translate: Deeply understand brand strategy and business objectives, translating them into compelling visual narratives and experiences that resonate culturally. Apply your QSR expertise to craft creative solutions that meet unique industry challenges and opportunities.
• Craft: Champion high craft and visual excellence across all outputs, from ideation to final execution. Oversee the development of visually stunning design, photography, motion, and digital experiences, ensuring every detail reflects VML’s commitment to quality.
• Collaborate: Partner seamlessly with copywriters, strategists, account teams, and clients to develop integrated campaigns. Foster a collaborative environment, ensuring creative solutions are strategically sound and culturally relevant.
• Concept: Generate bold, big ideas that can manifest across a diverse range of platforms, including digital, social, experiential, mobile, and emerging technologies, always with a strong visual foundation.
• Inspire: Mentor and inspire the creative team of art directors and designers, fostering their growth and ensuring the creative output consistently exceeds expectations.

Who You Are

• A Builder: You build strong relationships internally and with clients, establishing trust and becoming an essential, go-to creative leader. You foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where diverse ideas flourish.
• Curious: You possess an insatiable curiosity for emerging technologies, cultural trends, and consumer behaviors, constantly seeking innovative ways to solve client challenges and create future-forward experiences.
• Creatively Brave: You are passionate about the power of creativity and have a proven ability to identify, nurture, and fearlessly champion the boldest ideas, adapting creative approaches to deliver impactful results.
• Visionary: You lead by example, inspiring your team with a clear, compelling creative vision. You empower and develop team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and creative risk-taking.

What You'll Need

• 10+ years of experience in advertising or marketing, with a proven track record of developing award-winning creative campaigns.
• A compelling portfolio showcasing exceptional visual craft, innovative thinking, and a proven ability to solve complex brand challenges. Your work must demonstrate strong social, high craft, and non-traditional storytelling.
• Must have QSR experience on major brands, demonstrating a deep understanding of the industry's pace, operational considerations, and consumer engagement strategies.
• Demonstrable expertise in social-first creative development, including strategy, content creation, and platform-specific execution across leading social media channels.
• A strong track record of creating culture-leading, impactful work that resonates with diverse audiences and generates significant buzz and engagement.
• Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other relevant design/prototyping software (e.g., Figma, Sketch).
• Exceptional leadership, presentation, and communication skills, with the ability to inspire teams and articulate creative rationale to clients.
• Ability to handle a high-volume environment with rapid turnaround times and manage multiple tasks and project details effectively.
• A Bachelor's degree in Advertising, Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.