Associate Director - Corporate & Public Affairs

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Who We Are

Burson is the global communications leader built to create value for clients through reputation. With highly specialized teams, industry-leading technologies and breakthrough creative, we help brands and businesses redefine reputation as a competitive advantage so they can lead today and into the future. When you work at Burson, you are part of a global community of lifelong learners who thrive at the edge of innovation.

More About The Role

This role sits within Burson London’s Corporate and Public Affairs division, a team of over one hundred problem solvers who partner with brands, organisations, and governments to navigate complex reputational, policy and regulatory challenges. This is an integrated role combining proactive corporate reputation building and reactive issues. The work is sector agnostic, and we are particularly interested in corporate people with a consumer mindset and experience.

The right candidate has built a career over more than five years in agency or fast‑paced in‑house communications environments. They will be as adept at earned media relations as digital reputational building, will be AI curious and inspired by an agency that is investing in the latest technology to drive efficiency and impact, and will confidently manage complex client relationships and provide strategic counsel with gravitas. They will inspire clients to grow with Burson and nurture juniors to develop under their guidance.

With a growth mindset, new business is a core driver of growth, and the candidate will have proven experience of leading and winning pitches. They will also be comfortable networking and happy to leverage their contacts to bring new opportunities for the agency.

What You’ll Do

• Be a trusted advisor to clients, add value to client relationships, and provide high‑level strategic counsel in both a proactive and reactive (issues) capacity.
• Take a leading role in developing the global and UK client work, retaining existing client work, and growing new business across crisis and issues as well as proactive reputation management.
• Build the visibility and reputation of the team – with a view to winning new business and attracting talent.
• Manage client teams while nurturing current talent and contributing to the creation of a dedicated team culture, while building relationships across the agency.
• Be responsible for budget monitoring, revenue forecasting and planning, resourcing, overseeing client budgets and fee negotiation to ensure correct level of profitability.
• Act as a representative for the team in relevant specialist forums or network groups and participate where appropriate in relevant speaker platforms.
• Apply the latest in thinking and innovation including, but not exclusively, AI.

Experience That Contributes To Success

• Experience in an agency or in‑house role (some agency experience is essential).
• Entrepreneurial with evidence of having independently sought and driven revenue growth, including prospect finding, nurturing, acquisition and relationship management.
• Comfortable and experienced working with multiple stakeholder groups including consumers, shareholders, suppliers, employees, and media.
• Comfortable leading new business pitches, as well as inputting to wider corporate and crisis opportunities.
• Proven track record of successfully managing relationships, clients and programmes for multinational corporates or prominent organisations in the UK and abroad.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills with the ability to anticipate risks, develop proactive plans and make critical decisions under pressure.
• Comfortable and competent in developing teams and managing operational areas e.g. commercials, resourcing etc.
• Experience of leading crisis simulation exercises and media training.

You Belong At Burson

Our vision is for Burson to be the leading ‘academy company’ for creative communications professionals and emerging leaders. We provide a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues come to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and ultimately produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands. Our commitment to your growth is reflected in our robust benefits and people programs, which include professional development opportunities, mentorship programs with industry leaders, a vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation, and packages designed to reward and retain top talent. We invest in our people because we believe their success is our success.

We recognize that the things we do best, creativity and communications, require a level of nuanced understanding. That’s why it’s imperative for us to hire extraordinarily talented people of all backgrounds and identities. Without that we can’t do the essential work of inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue, cultivating meaningful experiences, and driving innovation and creativity for our partners.

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 around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Business Development and Sales

Industries

Public Relations and Communications Services