Associate Creative Director (FMCG)

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

VML (Wunderman Thompson)

Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hybrid

Posted April 17, 2026

Job Description

Who We Are

VML, part of WPP, 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 Wendy's. 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.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The Associate Creative Director (Copy-Based) is a pivotal creative leader responsible for elevating the verbal identity and strategic messaging across client accounts. Reporting to an Executive Creative Director or Creative Director, you will lead the development of compelling narratives, powerful concepts, and impactful copy that resonates with audiences and drives business results. You will mentor and inspire a team of copywriters, ensuring all creative output is strategically sound, impeccably crafted, and consistently delivers on VML's standard of creative excellence. This role demands a master storyteller, a strategic thinker, and a hands-on writer who can articulate a vision and bring it to life through words across all media.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Conceptual Leadership: Lead the ideation and development of breakthrough creative concepts, campaign platforms, and strategic narratives from a copy-first perspective.
Copy Excellence & Craft: Write, edit, and oversee the creation of high-quality, persuasive, and on-brand copy for a wide range of channels including digital, social, traditional advertising, content marketing, CRM, and emerging platforms.
Strategic Messaging: Ensure all verbal communication is strategically aligned with client objectives, brand voice, and target audience insights. Translate complex marketing strategies into clear, compelling, and actionable messages.
Team Leadership & Mentorship: Guide, inspire, and mentor a team of copywriters, fostering their growth, providing constructive feedback, and ensuring the highest standards of craft and conceptual thinking.
Client Presentation & Persuasion: Confidently present and articulate creative concepts and copy strategies to clients, effectively selling ideas and building strong client relationships.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work seamlessly with Art Directors, Designers, Strategists, Account Teams, and Technologists to ensure integrated creative solutions where copy and visuals work in harmony.
Brand Stewardship: Act as a guardian of brand voice and tone, ensuring consistency and distinctiveness across all client communications.
Trend & Innovation: Stay abreast of industry trends, cultural shifts, and emerging communication technologies to bring fresh perspectives and innovative verbal solutions to client challenges.
Project Management: Oversee multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to creativ