Associate Creative Director

VML • New York, NY

12h • Hybrid

About The Position

VML is seeking an Associate Creative Director, Social (Art Director) to join its New York creative team. The role will help lead social-first creative across several key products within an iconic beverage brand portfolio, developing distinctive visual ideas for always-on content, paid and organic social, creator partnerships, activations, and broader campaigns.

The Associate Creative Director will establish and evolve the visual expression of each brand, identify culturally relevant opportunities, and guide work from concept through production and final delivery. The position combines creative leadership with hands-on execution, including producing quick-turn mobile content and art-directing larger-scale lifestyle productions. This is a hybrid role, with teams in the office an average of four days a week.

Requirements

• Experience as an Associate Creative Director or Senior Art Director, or equivalent experience demonstrating readiness to lead at this level.
• A portfolio demonstrating social-first thinking, a distinctive visual point of view, and strong executional craft.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro, including the ability to edit, retouch, and finish assets independently.
• Experience creating mobile-first content and art-directing larger-scale productions.
• Strong understanding of social platforms, youth culture, and emerging formats, with judgment to identify opportunities relevant to the brand and audience.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, feedback cycles, and deadlines while maintaining a high standard of work.
• Confidence presenting creative work and leading client discussions with appropriate independence.
• Collaborative approach and interest in guiding the development of other creatives.
• Photography and/or video-shooting experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead visual concept development and art direction for social-first work across relevant platforms.
• Define and evolve distinctive visual approaches for each brand, ensuring work is platform-native and consistent with brand strategy.
• Translate youth culture, emerging trends, and social behaviors into proactive, brand-appropriate creative ideas.
• Develop a range of creative routes for each brief and help identify the most effective direction.
• Create and finish assets hands-on, including editing, retouching, and preparing polished content for publication.
• Produce or direct quick-turn content using mobile capture, stop-motion, and other lo-fi techniques.
• Art direct lifestyle productions and content capture days, helping build versatile brand content libraries.
• Collaborate with copywriters, strategists, producers, account teams, and creative partners to deliver integrated work.
• Present creative work and lead client conversations as needed, exercising sound judgment and discretion.
• Mentor and support junior and mid-level creatives.

Benefits

• Hybrid working approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week.
• Accommodations or flexibility may be discussed with the hiring team during the interview process.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed