Account Director

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. Burson operates under WPP (NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company. Learn more at www.bursonglobal.com.  

The Position

Account Director

This is a unique opportunity to grow as a communications professional by working across a diverse portfolio of influential clients within a dynamic, global agency.
The ideal candidate will have experience in Public Relations agency sector, who have supporting large, global, fast-moving companies in the consumer and / or technology sectors

Applicants should have a track record of success developing and executing strategic communications campaigns, earned media expertise, executive visibility experience and a client-obsessed mindset to deliver results and superior client service.

This role will report to General Manager of Consultancy.

We Are Looking For Someone Who Can Demonstrate:

• Client leadership – Being a trusted advisor within the Corporate / Energy sector to senior clients; able to set strategies and lead teams to deliver;
• Excellent communications and media experience gained delivering multi-disciplinary corporate, B2B and stakeholder campaigns;
• A strategic thinker with a strong understanding of the political and policy landscape and a strong understanding of Financial Communications;
• Commercially-savvy, with the ability to proactively drive new business development and deliver organic growth
• Developing creative campaigns, leading new business proposals and representing H&K in pitch presentations.
• Delivering thoughtful and creative insights counsel to clients that advance their objectives based on your deep understanding of the communications and client landscapes.
• Mentoring and working alongside a collaborative team of smart and enthusiastic PR professionals across the country within a globally influential agency.
• Stay on top of industry best practices, client and competitor brand activity and ensure the team delivers game changing ideas and solutions

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and foster a relationship with the client and external audiences
• Research, design, develop, implement and manage routine client projects
• Oversee day-to-day planning of major events
• Handle media inquiries
• Review materials (e.g., news releases, backgrounders, fact sheets, bios, newsletters and pitch letters) prepared by Senior Account Executive and Account Executive
• Develop, pitch and follow-up on coverage by and about the Client in the media, as appropriate
• Where appropriate, maintain steady and positive client presence in trade media through releases, contact and response to inquiries and requests
• Maintain clear and consistent communication between client and Burson
• Partner with client and other communications entities (e.g., advertising agency) to develop and complete communications plan
• Contribute ideas to program development for the client and for new business proposals

What you’ll need:

• 8+ years’ experience in strategic communications/public relations; experience working with clients in the financial and professional services sector; agency experience preferred
• Proven track record of success planning and executing executive communications programs that meet client business objectives
• Earned media expertise with the ability to develop media strategy and secure earned media coverage for clients; existing relationships with key B2B media
• Strong understanding of the media landscape; proactive in tracking relevant changes in the media and the ability to make recommendations/share insight with client contacts based on those changes
• Enthusiasm for working as a leader within a team, managing and upskilling junior staff while modelling corporate culture values
• Excellent client service skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with client contacts
• Superb writing and editing skills across a variety of platforms with a keen eye for detail and love of the written word
• Passionate: Lives and breathes the client’s business. Understands the client’s pain points. Is an abstract thinker comfortable with ambiguity; is curious, questions the status quo, and is an avid consumer of information
• Operationally savvy: experienced at effectively managing multiple work streams and client budgets
• People-centric: committed to the development of team members through active coaching and mentoring
• Progressive mind-set: interested in evolving communications and the role of PR within the marketing mix; brave enough to try new approaches and adopt new technologies and willing to take calculated risks to do better and more meaningful work and priorities
• Energy and passion to contribute to and help foster a fun, collaborative and thriving office culture

At Burson, diversity, equity and inclusion are not just values; they are strategic imperatives that fuel our future in an industry built on the art of understanding, connecting and developing relationships. We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue and cultivating meaningful experiences that drive innovation and creativity. It also enables our agency to thrive and deliver brilliant work.  

For more information, visit www.bursonglobal.com.  

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