Design Director, Growth (Health)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director, Growth (Health)

Company: VML

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-15T20:16:15

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office average)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the creative vision and design execution for high-stakes new business pitches, translating strategic insights into compelling and world-class presentations.

• Lead and mentor a team of designers, fostering a culture of creative excellence, collaboration, and continuous professional development within a fast-paced agency environment.

• Partner closely with senior leadership across strategy, creative, and account management to define the visual narrative and style for prospective clients, ensuring alignment with brand values.

• Drive the development of impactful design solutions that clearly communicate complex business challenges and strategic frameworks to diverse audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within VML's Growth team, specifically focusing on new business acquisition and pitches. The "Health" designation indicates a specialization or primary focus on clients within the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, leveraging VML Health's expertise in medical education and transmedia storytelling. The emphasis on leading pitches and commanding rooms suggests a senior-level role with significant client-facing responsibilities and strategic influence.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the overarching creative strategy and design execution for all new business opportunities, from initial concept development through final presentation delivery.

• Translate complex strategic frameworks and client challenges into elegant, impactful, and conceptually strong visual narratives that resonate with target audiences.

• Mentor, inspire, and manage a team of designers, providing clear direction, constructive feedback, and opportunities for skill enhancement.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including strategists, account leads, and creative directors, to ensure cohesive and persuasive pitch development.

• Present creative concepts and design rationale confidently and persuasively to executive-level stakeholders, both internally and at prospective client organizations.

• Act as the guardian of creative quality for the Growth team, ensuring all pitch materials consistently reflect VML's highest standards of craft and innovation.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of VML's design methodologies and best practices, particularly as they apply to new business acquisition.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative leadership, strategic thinking, team management, and high-stakes presentation skills. The role requires not just design proficiency but also the ability to influence stakeholders and drive business growth through compelling visual storytelling.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Experience: Extensive experience (10+ years) in a creative leadership role within an agency setting, with a demonstrable track record of successfully winning new business pitches.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to lead the creative vision and design execution for new business pitches.

• Exceptional strategic and conceptual thinking, with the capacity to translate complex ideas into clear visual narratives.

• Mastery of industry-standard design software, including Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Microsoft PowerPoint, and Google Slides.

• Outstanding presentation and communication skills, with confidence in commanding a room and persuading executive-level stakeholders.

• Demonstrated leadership experience, with a proven ability to manage, mentor, and inspire a design team in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.

• Strong understanding of brand strategy, visual identity systems, and their application in client pitches.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics or animation software for pitch materials.

• Familiarity with data visualization techniques to present complex information effectively.

• Experience in developing connected brand strategies that span multiple touchpoints.

• Knowledge of transmedia storytelling approaches relevant to healthcare marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a senior-level creative leader with a strong emphasis on new business acquisition and a specific focus on the healthcare sector. The need for mastery in both modern collaborative tools (Figma) and traditional presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides) indicates a dynamic workflow.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• An outstanding portfolio that showcases a proven track record of winning new business pitches, clearly demonstrating strategic and conceptual creative direction.

• Examples of exceptional design craft across a diverse range of major brands, highlighting versatility and aesthetic excellence.

• Case studies that detail the process of translating complex business challenges into elegant and impactful design solutions for pitches.

• Demonstrations of visual storytelling capabilities, illustrating how design was used to persuade and engage executive-level stakeholders.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolio pieces should ideally include brief explanations of the design process, the strategic thinking behind the creative choices, and the role of design in achieving the pitch's objectives.

• Showcase how design systems were conceptualized and applied to ensure consistency and impact across various pitch materials.

• Highlight collaborative workflows with strategy, account management, and other creative disciplines during the pitch process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of the candidate's ability to win new business through design leadership. Emphasis should be placed on strategic rationale, creative execution, and demonstrable impact on pitch success.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $75,000 - $180,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Competitive Benefits Package: This typically includes health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement savings plans (e.g., 401k), paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays), life insurance, and disability coverage.

• Professional Development Opportunities: Access to training, workshops, conferences, and resources to enhance design skills and leadership capabilities.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Support services for personal and professional well-being.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives tied to new business wins.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. However, the nature of new business pitches may require flexibility and occasional extended hours, especially leading up to presentation deadlines. The hybrid model specifies an average of four days per week in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is broad, reflecting potential variations based on specific experience, the candidate's negotiation skills, and the exact level of responsibility within the "Director" title. The "Competitive Benefits Package" is standard for large agencies like VML, but specific details would need to be confirmed. The hybrid work arrangement is clearly defined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising, with a specialized division in Healthcare Marketing (VML Health). VML is part of WPP, a global leader in communications services.

Company Size: 26,000+ employees globally. This indicates a large, established organization with robust resources, internal mobility potential, and structured processes.

Founded: VML was founded in 1992, and WPP in 1982. This history suggests stability, experience, and a deep understanding of the evolving marketing landscape.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will be part of the "Growth" team, which is dedicated to new business acquisition. This team likely comprises strategists, account managers, creative directors, and designers focused on winning new clients.

• VML Health operates as a specialized vertical within VML, meaning the Design Director will work with dedicated healthcare specialists while also having access to broader VML expertise.

• Reporting structure will likely involve reporting to a senior creative lead (e.g., ECD, CCO) within the Growth or Health division, and managing a team of designers.

Methodology:

• VML emphasizes a "human-first" approach, combining brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands.

• VML Health focuses on "radical empathy" to understand HCPs and patients, bridging gaps in health challenges and bringing people closer to life.

• Design methodologies will likely involve user-centered design principles, creative problem-solving frameworks, and a data-informed approach to visual strategy.

• Emphasis on storytelling, both visually and verbally, to craft persuasive narratives for pitches.

Company Website: https://www.vml.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: VML's culture is described as human-first and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on award-winning, innovative work. VML Health adds a layer of specialized empathy and storytelling for the healthcare sector. The large organizational size offers extensive resources and career paths.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a senior leadership position within the creative function, specifically focused on driving business growth through design. It sits at a Director level, indicating significant responsibility for strategy, team management, and high-level client interaction.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director will report to a senior executive, likely an Executive Creative Director (ECD) or Chief Creative Officer (CCO), within the Growth or VML Health division. They will directly manage a team of designers.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is on VML's new business pipeline and revenue growth. By creating compelling pitch materials and leading the design narrative, the Design Director directly influences the agency's ability to win new clients and secure significant project/retainer work. This role is crucial for shaping the agency's external perception and demonstrating its creative capabilities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into higher creative leadership roles (e.g., Group Creative Director, ECD) within VML or VML Health, overseeing larger teams and more strategic accounts.

• Specialization Deepening: Further developing expertise within the healthcare sector or expanding into related areas like brand experience design or digital product design.

• Industry Recognition: Opportunities to contribute to award-winning pitches that gain industry recognition, enhancing personal and agency reputation.

• Mentorship and Development: Opportunity to build and shape a design team, fostering talent and influencing the next generation of creative leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for creative leaders to impact business growth directly and advance their careers within a large, global agency network. The health specialization provides a unique growth avenue.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: VML operates on a hybrid model, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. This suggests a structured, collaborative in-office environment designed to foster creativity and teamwork, balanced with flexibility.

Office Location(s): The role is based in New York, New York. VML has principal offices in multiple global markets, but this specific role is tied to the New York location.

Workspace Context:

• The New York office is likely a modern, dynamic creative hub designed to facilitate collaboration, brainstorming, and client presentations.

• Access to state-of-the-art design tools and technology is expected, supporting the creation of high-impact pitch materials.

• The environment is expected to be fast-paced and high-energy, particularly within the Growth team, driven by the demands of new business acquisition.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with senior leadership and diverse creative talent across different disciplines.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, with an expectation of being in the office approximately four days per week. Flexibility may be required around pitch deadlines, but the hybrid model aims to provide a balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key aspect, emphasizing collaboration and team connection while offering some flexibility. The New York office environment is likely to be a stimulating, creative space for a Design Director.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will review applications and portfolios to assess alignment with basic requirements.

• Portfolio Review & Creative Discussion: A session with senior creative leadership (e.g., ECD, CCO) to deep-dive into the candidate's portfolio, focusing on strategic thinking, creative execution, and pitch success. Expect questions about specific projects and decision-making processes.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from strategy, account management, and potentially other design team members to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Leadership/Executive Interview: A final interview with a senior executive to discuss overall vision, leadership philosophy, and strategic alignment with VML's growth objectives.

• Potential Design Challenge: While not explicitly stated, a small design or presentation-focused exercise related to a hypothetical pitch scenario could be part of the process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest new business pitch examples that showcase your leadership, strategic thinking, and design craft. Ensure diversity in client type if possible, but highlight any healthcare experience.

• Tell the Story: For each project, clearly articulate the client's challenge, your strategic approach, the design rationale, your role and leadership, and the outcome (e.g., "won the business"). Use visuals effectively, but don't let them overpower the narrative.

• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize your role in guiding teams, mentoring designers, and collaborating with other departments.

• Showcase Tools: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, and Google Slides, and how you leverage them to create impactful presentations.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your pitches.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand VML's Work: Research VML's recent campaigns and VML Health's approach to healthcare marketing. Understand their brand voice and creative style.

• Prepare for Strategy Questions: Be ready to discuss your approach to developing creative strategy for new business, how you translate insights into design, and your leadership philosophy.

• Practice Presentation Skills: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and any potential challenge work concisely and persuasively. Focus on commanding the room and articulating your vision clearly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to translate strategy into award-winning design for new business pitches. Strong presentation and leadership skills are paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and creating pitch decks. Proficiency expected for modern agency workflows.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Includes Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for high-fidelity design, asset creation, and print layout.

• Microsoft PowerPoint & Google Slides: Critical for creating and delivering dynamic pitch presentations. Mastery in visual storytelling within these platforms is key.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but an understanding of how design integrates with broader marketing technology stacks and customer journeys can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack heavily emphasizes design and presentation software, reflecting the core responsibilities of creating pitch materials. Figma's inclusion highlights a modern, collaborative design approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-First: A core VML value, emphasizing understanding people (clients, consumers, internal teams) to drive creative solutions. This translates to empathetic design and collaborative workflows.

• Excellence & Innovation: A drive for award-winning, cutting-edge work. This means pushing creative boundaries and maintaining high standards in design craft and strategic thinking.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across disciplines (strategy, account, creative) and within teams to achieve shared goals. Open communication and mutual respect are key.

• Growth-Oriented: A focus on driving business growth for clients and the agency itself. This applies to the "Growth" team's mission and the expectation for continuous professional development.

• Radical Empathy (VML Health): Specifically for the health division, this means deeply understanding the experiences and needs of healthcare professionals and patients to create resonant communications.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated & Cross-functional: Expect to work closely with strategists to translate insights, account managers to understand client needs, and other creative leads to align on overall campaign direction.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that encourages constructive feedback to elevate creative work. The Design Director will be both a giver and receiver of feedback.

• Transparent Communication: Open dialogue is encouraged, especially in high-pressure pitch environments, to ensure alignment and efficiency.

• Shared Ownership: A sense of collective responsibility for pitch success, where design is a critical, integrated component of the overall strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values emphasize a human-centric, collaborative, and innovative approach, with a specific focus on empathy within the health sector. The Design Director must embody these values and foster them within their team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Stakes Pitch Environment: The constant pressure of new business pitches requires resilience, adaptability, and the ability to deliver exceptional work under tight deadlines.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Client Needs: Effectively translating strategic client objectives into compelling creative solutions that also push creative boundaries.

• Managing and Inspiring a Design Team: Leading diverse designers, fostering individual growth, and maintaining morale in a demanding environment.

• Staying Ahead of Design Trends: Continuously evolving design skills and understanding new technologies and platforms relevant to pitch presentations and connected brands.

• Navigating Large Agency Structures: Understanding and leveraging the resources and processes within a large organization like VML/WPP.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design & Storytelling Workshops: Opportunities to hone skills in visual narrative, presentation design, and emerging creative technologies.

• Industry Conferences & Events: Attendance at relevant design, advertising, and healthcare marketing conferences to stay abreast of trends and network.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to senior creative leaders for guidance and career development advice.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Opportunities to learn from strategists, account leads, and other specialists within VML Health and VML.

• Leadership Training: Development programs focused on management, strategic leadership, and team building.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges related to high-pressure environments and leadership demands, but also offers substantial opportunities for professional growth and skill development within a leading agency.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for leading a new business pitch from a design perspective. How do you translate a client's brief and strategic insights into a compelling visual narrative?" (Focus on your strategic thinking, process, and storytelling.)

• "Tell me about a time you had to persuade a senior stakeholder or client with a bold creative idea. What was the situation, your approach, and the outcome?" (Demonstrate your influencing and presentation skills.)

• "How do you approach mentoring and developing a design team, especially under pressure? What's your leadership philosophy?" (Highlight your management style and ability to inspire.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your research, what excites you about VML and VML Health specifically? How do your values align with ours?" (Demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.)

• "How would you foster a culture of collaboration and excellence within your design team and with cross-functional partners?" (Discuss your approach to teamwork and communication.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your strategic solution, your design process, your leadership role, and the successful outcome.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Focus on the most impactful visuals and key takeaways. Avoid overwhelming detail. Practice your delivery to be confident and dynamic.

• Highlight Strategic Thinking: Emphasize why you made certain design choices, linking them back to the client's business objectives and strategic goals.

• Showcase Collaboration: Mention how you worked with other teams and incorporated their feedback.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and how you would adapt your approach for different client types.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic design leadership, strong presentation skills, and a deep understanding of the agency pitch process, particularly within the healthcare context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the VML careers site.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your extensive creative leadership experience, proven success in winning new business pitches, and any specific achievements in the healthcare sector. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare your portfolio: Ensure it prominently features your strongest new business pitch examples, clearly demonstrating strategic thinking, design craft, leadership, and successful outcomes. Be ready to walk through it.

• Research VML and VML Health: Understand their recent work, client roster, company values, and approach to healthcare marketing. This will inform your answers during interviews.

• Practice your presentation: Rehearse articulating your portfolio projects and answering potential interview questions with confidence and clarity, focusing on your strategic approach and leadership capabilities.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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