Design Director Contract

at  VML

WHO WE ARE:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.
Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

We are looking for a creative visionary responsible for shaping the future of our client’s brand experiences across the globe. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role that requires a strategic thinker and a passionate storyteller who can translate complex concepts into compelling design solutions. You will lead a team of talented designers and collaborate closely with cross-functional partners to define and deliver innovative customer journeys that drive brand love and business growth.
In this role, you will cultivate strong relationships with senior stakeholders, ensuring consistent communication and collaboration with the global team and our agency. You will act as a crucial link, translating your design vision into exceptional customer experiences.

AT VML ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS

Our Enterprise Solutions division houses strategic consultants, creative and technical architects and skilled developers and operators that together help some of the world’s leading organisations to deliver outstanding digital experiences across all major routes to market worldwide: marketplaces, online retailers, D2C, B2B and social platforms. With over 4,200 experts in 55 operational centres across 34 countries, our capabilities span the entire buying journey from customer acquisition, through engagement, to conversion and loyalty, driving multi-channel growth for world-leading brands.
We work with some of the most exciting brands such as The Coca-Cola Company, EY, Bosch, Unilever, Ford, DFS, Mercedes-Benz, Johnson & Johnson, Nestlé, Sainsbury’s, Selfridges, Shell and Tiffany & Co. We’ve built over 500 platforms for brands and retailers and generate in excess of $29bn annually for our clients and work with over 50 strategic partners including Adobe, SAP, Salesforce, HCL, Shopify, Sitecore, BigCommerce, commerce tools and Acquia. Our reputation is based on our people, and we believe we have some of the best in the business.
As our business grows internationally, we’re looking for new people to join us on our journey to inspire and take a key role in shaping some of the best commerce solutions, services, and websites in the world. Working as a team, no problem is insurmountable; we share in our client’s successes and believe that anyone can show creative bravery no matter what their role is in the team.

• Lead the development and execution of a global design vision for innovation and future experiences. This includes defining the design principles, frameworks, and processes that will guide our work.
• Partner with global leadership and cross-functional teams to understand business objectives and translate them into actionable design strategies. You will be a key player in shaping the future of the platform.
• Champion a human-centered design approach, conducting research and gathering insights to deeply understand our diverse consumers and their evolving needs. You will be a champion for the customer, ensuring their voice is heard throughout the design process by leveraging data and technological insights.
• Lead the ideation and creation of innovative customer journeys across physical and digital touchpoints. This includes developing concepts, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs that push the boundaries of brand experience that can be built and scaled in line with technical capabilities.
• Embrace emerging technologies and explore their potential to enhance the customer experience. You will be a thought leader in design and technology, always seeking out new ways to innovate.
• Build and manage a high-performing team of designers, providing mentorship, guidance, and inspiration. You will be a strong leader and mentor, fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration.
• Communicate design vision and strategy effectively to senior leadership and key stakeholders. You will be a compelling storyteller, able to articulate the value of design and its impact on the business.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices, constantly seeking opportunities to elevate the team’s work and push the boundaries of design excellence.
• Establish a long-term vision and roadmap for innovation and future experiences, proactively identifying and capitalising on emerging trends and opportunities. You will collaborate with the Project Manager to forecast resource needs, guide the evolution of this critical program, and ensure its continuous alignment with the company’s strategic priorities.