VML

AEP Architect

VML · Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL $100K–$230K Posted 2026-07-01
Salary
$100K–$230K
Type
Full-time
Experience
8+ yr

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. For more information, visit  WPP.com .

About the Role

We are looking for a  Principal-Level Adobe Experience Platform (AEP) Architect  to lead the holistic design and governance of AEP deployments across large-scale enterprise transformations. This is a  data architecture-focused role  — not campaign activation — centred on building the scalable, governed foundation that makes real-time customer intelligence possible.

You will serve as the  technical lead  on complex engagements, defining how data is structured, unified, and governed within AEP, and ensuring downstream activation tools can trust and leverage what you build.

What You'll Do

Data Architecture & Schema Strategy

  • Define and own the  XDM schema strategy  aligned to enterprise data architecture principles
  • Design scalable, future-proof data models within AEP
  • Configure and optimise  Real-Time Customer Data Platform (RTCDP)

Identity & Profile

  • Design and govern  identity namespace strategies  and identity graph configuration
  • Lead profile stitching, unification, and profile enablement at enterprise scale
  • Troubleshoot profile inconsistencies and identity resolution issues

Data Ingestion & Governance

  • Define and manage datasets, batch and streaming data ingestion, and profile-enabled schemas
  • Establish and enforce  data governance frameworks  within AEP
  • Collaborate with data engineering teams to ensure accurate data transformation and mapping

Technical Leadership

  • Serve as the  senior technical lead  on large-scale enterprise AEP transformations
  • Integrate AEP with downstream activation tools and broader enterprise ecosystems
  • Operate independently and with authority in complex, multi-stakeholder environments

What You'll Bring

Required

  • Proven, hands-on experience with  Adobe Experience Platform (AEP)  at principal or senior architect level
  • Deep expertise across:
  • RTCDP  configuration and optimisation
  • XDM schema design  and data modelling
  • Identity graph  configuration and namespace design
  • Profile building , enablement, and unification
  • Strong understanding of customer data architecture principles
  • Demonstrated ability to lead enterprise-scale data transformations independently

Nice to Have

  • Background as a  Data Engineer or Data Architect  prior to AEP specialisation
  • Experience integrating multiple enterprise data sources into AEP
  • Familiarity with the broader  Adobe ecosystem  — AJO, Adobe Target, Adobe Analytics

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.

_
$100,000 — $230,000 USD

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.

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit   www.vml.com , and follow along on  Instagram ,  LinkedIn , and  X .

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 . California residents should read our  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.

$110K — 10th pctl $265K — 90th pctl
This role’s midpoint $165K vs. market median $185K for Engineering roles
-10%
below median
Based on 14,000+ Engineering roles with disclosed salary ranges tracked on NewJob.
VML

VML

Marketing · Public · New York, USA

Stage & Valuation
Public · $4.1B
Key Investors
WPP
Open roles on NewJob
Most hiring in
Operations (82) · Design (80) · Marketing (61)
VML is a global creative agency formed from the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson in 2024. It operates as a subsidiary of WPP plc, offering integrated marketing, technology, and commerce solutions.
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