Location: Kansas City,MO, USA
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.
About Us:
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.
About You:
You are a remarkably levelheaded, passionate, and driven creative leader with an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of motion, CG, and VFX. You see no as a challenge to overcome and know there is no mountain top, rather a consistent journey of evolution toward growth. You thrive in a collaborative environment, inspiring your team to achieve new heights while staying ahead of the curve in this ever-evolving industry.
Role Summary:
As the Director of Motion, CG, and VFX, you will lead and inspire a team of talented artists, animators, and compositors, driving creative excellence and pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling. You will be responsible for the overall quality, efficiency, and growth of the department, ensuring we remain at the forefront of our industry. While you'll sit side-by-side with much of your team, you're also ready for the challenge of collaborating with, mentoring, and growing additional team members, remotely.
Key Responsibilities:
* Creative Leadership:
* Provide strategic and creative direction to the motion, CG, and VFX team, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
* As our team and industry evolve, you'll stay on top of the organization structure of your team to ensure efficiency and scalability.
* Mentor, inspire, and advocate for a top-notch motion, CG, and VFX team.
* Promote and maintain an environment where craft is the north star for all our work.
* Work with leads within your group to ensure projects meet the highest creative and technical standards through oversight, creative push, and guidance.
* Partner with producers and other discipline leads to assemble the best team for each job based on talent match and client experience.
* Champion a culture of continuous learning and development, encouraging experimentation with new tools, techniques, and technologies, including AI.
* Team Management:
* Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of artists, animators, and compositors, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
* Conduct performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and identify opportunities for professional growth within the team.
* Manage resource allocation, project assignments, and team capacity to ensure efficient workflow and timely delivery.
* Work with leadership to develop, manage, tweak workflows and technical systems related to the creation of your team's craft.
* Business Development & Growth:
* Identify and pursue new opportunities.
* Develop treatments to help attain new work.
* Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive landscape to identify growth opportunities and maintain a competitive edge.
* Analyze team performance metrics, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies to enhance efficiency and profitability.
* Client & Stakeholder Management:
* Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, understanding their needs and exceeding their expectations.
* Serve as the main point of escalation for all motion, CG, and VFX related matters, ensuring client satisfaction and resolving issues effectively.
* Collaborate with producers and project managers to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.
Desired Skills and Experience:
* 8+ years of experience in a leadership role within a motion graphics, animation, or VFX studio.
* A strong portfolio demonstrating a high level of creativity, technical proficiency, and innovative thinking.
* Expert knowledge of industry-standard software, tools, and workflows (e.g., Cinema 4D, Maya, Houdini, After Effects, Nuke).
* Deep understanding of the creative process, from concept development to final execution.
* Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
* Experience providing creative and performance feedback ensuring all team members reach their full potential.
* Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with a proactive and solution-oriented approach.
* Passion for pushing creative boundaries and embracing new technologies, including AI.
* A collaborative and team-oriented approach, with a willingness to get hands-on when needed.
* Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
What we offer:
* Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
* Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
* Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
* Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.
VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.
The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click WPP Benefits for more details.
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$75,000-$180,000 USD
At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization-creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers-who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.
VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
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