--- title: 'AI Art Director / Creative Specialist at VML' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/ai-art-director-creative-specialist-vml-toronto-h7zf1v85e45p' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-06' --- # AI Art Director / Creative Specialist at VML - **Company:** VML - **Location:** Toronto, Canada - **Compensation:** $45k–$95k - **Posted:** 2026-08-24 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-06 - **Apply:** https://www.vml.com/careers/job/8682537002?gh_jid=8682537002 ## Job description ## Who We Are VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world’s leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore. VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel. For more information, please visit [www.vml.com](http://www.vml.com/)and follow along on  [LinkedIn](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__urldefense.com_v3_-5F-5Fhttps-3A_www.linkedin.com_company_vml_-5F-5F-3B-21-21JboVxjCXSME-21OhlpCfbkl1UcWPwns1-2DGtvHOzFh0QwHV49fsPgGw-2DVCCU1bCg8aQFI9vN-2Dy-2DVwaQcITH2j2XKzGKBIFRLYf2AUWVYY1dFGK6-24&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=zouFnm4jZMgDFaYF1uVcRY3rbgHWPca_luUrBUkT6Yc&m=QzcCgXCAOjzj5hiU48_CKOdHRSJ4_YpuqfviT9yjlzH5VrkzySTZ-WaQXlYAnj4W&s=jJ7q5V70u9oUx7ONPm5jC3IK8y6vxDilX6BGTlqlWlA&e=) #WeAreVML. AI Art Director / Creative Specialist ***Please review portfolio requirement*** Reports to: Creative Director, AI Department: Creative / Agency Studio ## Role Overview We are looking for an AI Art Director / Creative Specialist to create high-quality static visuals, campaign imagery, and video clips for our clients. Reporting directly to the Creative Director (AI), you will collaborate with Art Directors, Copywriters, Studio, Production, and Account teams to handle hands-on AI asset generation. Above all, this role requires excellent aesthetic taste, a strong eye for design, and a structured approach to model execution. You don't just rely on "lucky prompts"—you understand how AI models interpret inputs, how to control them through refined iteration processes, and how to consistently pull the highest-quality outputs out of generative tools. You will work primarily inside WPP Open, our enterprise AI hub, while staying active with external AI tools and models to keep our work at the forefront of the industry. ## Key Responsibilities - Campaign & Pitch Visuals: Work with Art Directors, Copywriters, and Creative Directors to generate on-brand static visuals, storyboards, and presentation assets for pitches and campaigns. - Model Execution & Optimization: Apply disciplined generation techniques (iterative prompting, image-to-image, parameter tuning, multi-step generation) to reliably achieve commercial-grade results. - Visual & Character Consistency: Maintain consistency in lighting, style, color, characters, and objects across multi-asset campaigns and video clips. - Studio & Video Production: Partner with studio designers, video editors, and directors to concept, generate, and refine AI image and video assets for final campaign production. - Account & Presentation Support: Assist Creative and Account teams by creating visual assets that elevate client decks and presentations. - Model Exploration: Master WPP Open’s model stack while experimenting with new external tools, models, and execution methods to improve output quality. ## Requirements - Aesthetic Taste & Design Eye: A strong eye for photography, composition, lighting, and color. You know how to make AI generations look realistic, premium, and authentic—avoiding obvious AI artifacts. - Execution & Process Knowledge: Deep understanding of the generation process—knowing how to troubleshoot bad outputs, refine prompts, manipulate parameters, and use image-to-image or video-to-video techniques to get precise results. - Brand Understanding: Ability to review a brand brief or style guide and generate assets that fit the brand's aesthetic identity. - Visual Continuity: Proven ability to achieve visual continuity (keeping the same character, object, or visual style consistent across multiple frames/generations). - Multi-Model Experience: Hands-on experience with core image and video generation tools: - Image Models: Google (Nano Banana/Imagen), OpenAI (GPT Image), Adobe Firefly, Stable Diffusion, ByteDance (Seedream), Midjourney. - Video Models: Google Veo, OpenAI Sora, ByteDance Seedance, Runway, Luma. - Prompting/Text: Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, OpenAI GPT. - Basic Post-Production Skills: Ability to use Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Premiere) to clean up, crop, composite, or color-correct AI outputs when needed. - Ethical AI Practices: A clean, ethical approach to AI generation, respecting copyright and brand safety. Portfolio Requirement To be considered, candidates must submit a portfolio demonstrating: - AI Image & Video Generation:High-quality examples of both static images and AI video clips. - Visual & Character Continuity:Examples showing character, product/object, or style consistency maintained across multiple images or video frames. - Execution & Process:Examples showing how you guided, iterated, or engineered prompts/inputs to move from an initial raw generation to a refined, commercial-ready output The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range between the values at the bottom of this posting. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. - $45,000—$95,000 CAD We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our [Recruitment Privacy Policy](https://www.vml.com/recruitment-privacy-policy). California residents should read our [California Recruitment Privacy Notice](https://www.vml.com/california-recruitment-privacy-notice). This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it. ## About VML ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: VML is a global creative company that helps brands drive growth by seamlessly connecting Brand Experience, Customer Experience, and Commerce through a human-first, tech-enabled approach. - **Entity Type**: Public (subsidiary of WPP, LSE: WPP) - **Headquarters**: New York, United States - **Founded**: 2024 (formed from the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, with legacy agencies dating back to 1864) - **Founders**: Not applicable – the company was formed by merging two WPP agencies; Global CEO is Jon Cook ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Advertising services, marketing, digital transformation, brand consulting - **Target customers**: B2B – large enterprise brands across sectors (consumer goods, healthcare, technology, retail, etc.) - **Mission or purpose statement**: “Create connected brands that become a part of people’s lives and drive growth for client partners” – guided by a “Human First” creative philosophy. ## Products & Services - **Brand Experience (BX)**: Compelling brand worlds and creative platforms that build emotional connections from the first touchpoint. - **Customer Experience (CX)**: Intelligent digital platforms, loyalty programs, and data-driven customer journeys that deepen relationships. - **Commerce**: Seamless, innovative commerce solutions that convert interest into action. - **Technology Transformation**: Digital infrastructure, platform engineering, and AI-powered marketing via WPP Open. - **Health**: Specialized healthcare marketing and communications (VML Health). ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed for VML (parent WPP’s market cap is ~£8B as of mid-2025). - **Key Metric**: 26,000+ employees across 150+ offices globally (vml.com); some sources report 34,000+ on LinkedIn. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Parent company WPP; key clients include blue-chip global brands (not publicly listed). - **Growth Signals**: - Formed in 2024 from two major WPP agencies, consolidating over 300 years of combined expertise. - 373 active job postings (LinkedIn, as of mid-2026) with +80.2% quarterly growth in postings. - Named No. 3 on an unspecified industry ranking (vml.com/expertise). - VML Foundation has contributed over $3.2 million to charitable causes. ## Competitive Advantages - **Human First approach**: A creative philosophy that prioritizes deep understanding of human needs, making campaigns more resonant and effective. - **Connected capabilities**: Unlike pure creative or tech firms, VML integrates BX, CX, and Commerce into a single, unified offering. - **Scale and heritage**: 26,000 people in 50+ markets, with legacy from J. Walter Thompson, Y&R, Wunderman, and VML. - **WPP Open**: Access to WPP’s AI-powered marketing operating system for intelligent, measurable, and scalable solutions. - **Inclusion Experience**: A dedicated consultancy helping clients design inclusive experiences for people with disabilities. ## Strategic Focus - Deepening the integration of creativity and technology to deliver “connected brands.” - Expanding AI-driven marketing and personalization through WPP Open. - Growing the Health practice and Commerce capabilities. - Investing in talent development and culture (e.g., Emerge Internship Program, Catalyst Academy, All Win Program). - Continuing to build a diverse, inclusive workforce and culture of belonging. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Emphasizes “Human First” internally – belonging, continuous learning, and authentic personal branding. The Culture & Belonging team actively fosters understanding and empathy. - **Career Development**: Bespoke platforms for career mapping, feedback coaching, and skills building. Programs like Catalyst Academy (12-month global program) and Emerge US Internship (10-week) provide structured growth. - **Work Environment**: Hybrid and office-based roles; 150+ offices worldwide offer global mobility. The Detroit Experience Studio and All Win Program show community engagement. - **Perks & Benefits**: VML Foundation (employee-led giving), wellness resources, and a focus on mental and physical health. - **Engineering Culture**: For tech roles, exposure to large-scale digital transformation projects, WPP Open AI platform, and modern data/tech stacks. ## Sources 1. [vml.com/careers](https://www.vml.com/careers) – Careers page with culture, programs, and values. 2. [vml.com/about-us](https://www.vml.com/about-us) – About page with company overview, leadership, and history. 3. [vml.com/expertise](https://www.vml.com/expertise) – Description of core services and capabilities. 4. [linkedin.com/company/vml](https://www.linkedin.com/company/vml) – LinkedIn company page with employee count, job postings, and recent departures. ## Other roles at VML - [Stage per Veeva PromoMats & Content Management Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/stage-per-veeva-promomats-content-management-specialist-vml-milan-cdcjqjxvpdgw) — Milan, Italy - [Program Director, Adobe Implementation](https://feeny.ai/job/program-director-adobe-implementation-vml-austin-8zp1qm7b3qv4) — Austin, TX - [Program Director, Adobe Implementation](https://feeny.ai/job/program-director-adobe-implementation-vml-dallas-fa092nzng8sm) — Dallas, TX - [Program Director, Adobe Implementation](https://feeny.ai/job/program-director-adobe-implementation-vml-chicago-0rfy8sngzyn9) — Chicago, IL - [Program Director, Adobe Implementation](https://feeny.ai/job/program-director-adobe-implementation-vml-kansas-city-c8wypr175pxn) — Kansas City, MO - [Localization Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/localization-analyst-vml-bogota-619xx3tdjcg4) — Bogotá, Colombia - [Program Director, Adobe Implementation](https://feeny.ai/job/program-director-adobe-implementation-vml-atlanta-frsa5r9eezb9) — Atlanta, GA - [Program Director, Adobe Implementation](https://feeny.ai/job/program-director-adobe-implementation-vml-new-york-kk9rw5y746rz) — New York, NY - [Data Engineer Senior](https://feeny.ai/job/data-engineer-senior-vml-buenos-aires-k8qms0gdrfd6) — Buenos Aires, Argentina - [Director, Digital Shelf Strategy](https://feeny.ai/job/director-digital-shelf-strategy-vml-cincinnati-vr46rfh5zyfp) — Cincinnati, OH