Associate Director, Performance Content

VML•Chicago, IL

18h•$75,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Performance Content is a key member of our Performance Content Leadership Team, responsible for driving the strategic vision, execution, and day-to-day management of high-performance content for client-owned websites. This role exists to lead our client’s digital evolution at the intersection of search, content strategy, and artificial intelligence. As an Associate Director, you will champion AI transformation on a major, high-profile account, ensuring our client’s web properties are optimized for the next generation of search. This is a highly collaborative, people-first role. You will act as the trusted strategic anchor for high-touch, sophisticated client relationships, relying on exceptional diplomacy and consulting skills to navigate complex dynamics and align business objectives. Internally, you will foster a culture of growth by mentoring direct reports, steering resource management, and contributing to new business and scoping initiatives to help lead our practice to its annual goals.

Requirements

7+ years experience in content strategy, SEO, or digital writing with a proven track record of managing direct reports and leading complex client accounts in an agency setting.
Generative AI: Strong familiarity with ChatGPT, Claude, and/or enterprise AI platforms. Understanding of prompt engineering and building workflow agents is highly preferred.
SEO & Web Strategy: Deep understanding of SEO principles, accessibility best practices, and emerging search trends (GEO).
Content Craft: Master-level writing and editing skills (AP Style, Grammarly, and content management systems).
Agency Tools: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Keynote, Trello, SharePoint, and OneNote.
Diplomacy & Relationship Building: Exceptional emotional intelligence with a natural ability to navigate high-touch, complex client environments.
Leadership & People Development: A passion for mentoring talent, managing competing demands, and motivating a team.
Strategic & Critical Thinking: Ability to look beyond execution to see the broader business impact of content and technology.
Agility: A lifelong learner who embraces change and remains highly receptive to feedback during collaborative writing and strategy processes.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of prompt engineering and building workflow agents is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Consultative AI Leadership: Partner closely with client teams to define, implement, and scale the utilization of AI across their content ecosystem.
Next-Gen Search Optimization: Apply emerging Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) practices and Large Language Model (LLM) retrievability workflows to ensure website copy is discoverable in conversational AI search engines.
AI Tool Integration: Build and deploy custom AI agents to optimize team workflows; leverage VML’s proprietary WPP Open platform alongside tools like ChatGPT and Claude to drive content innovation.
Relationship Management: Serve as the day-to-day strategic lead for complex, high-touch client relationships, using active listening and diplomacy to build trust and align expectations.
Client Advocacy & Consultation: Translate complex search, AI, and content performance metrics into clear, persuasive narratives and presentations for senior stakeholders.
Account Operations: Own the content workstream for the account, guiding optimization plans and performance reporting while consulting with Directors and above on broader strategic goals.
Web Content Strategy: Oversee the end-to-end execution of long-form website copy, articles, and blogs, ensuring all output meets rigorous brand voice and style standards.
Editorial Quality Assurance: Review and edit junior team members' work to maintain an exceptionally high caliber of writing, grammar, and style.
Content Auditing & Gaps: Identify strategic content opportunities and recommend new topics to fill performance gaps on client-owned websites.
Direct Report Development: Manage a team of direct reports, providing strengths-based professional coaching, actionable feedback, and clear career pathing.
Resource & Scoping Management: Assist practice leadership with resource planning, scope of work (SOW) development, and project estimating.
Practice Growth: Support new business pitches and develop strategic case studies that highlight the team's successes and validate ongoing client relationships.
Team Training: Onboard staff on internal processes, agency tools, and rapidly changing industry standards.