Who We Are

VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization.

In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney. About WPP WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands.

We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. com .

About The Role

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.

What You'Ll Do

AI Strategy & Implementation 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.

Client Partnership & Account Ownership 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.

Editorial & Content Excellence (Client-Owned Websites) 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.