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Account Director, Burson Direct Impact Practice, Operations Director

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

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 is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company. Learn more at www.bursonglobal.com.  

Account Director, Burson Direct Impact Practice, Operations Director

Hybrid work structure, ideally based in Washington DC

THE ROLE:

Direct Impact, the Grassroots and Local PR practice of Burson Global (a WPP agency) is seeking an Account Director/Director of Operations to join our team. This is a highly visible position that will support senior leadership in managing staff and agency partner relationships across multiple markets, support new business efforts, provide strategic and executional support for practice thought leadership/executive visibility/marketing, and maintain a senior client leadership role on core accounts to help teams work through client challenges and identify new opportunities/risks.

The ideal candidate will have experience working in an agency or professional services/communications environment in a client-facing capacity.  They will be highly organized, with demonstrated project and people management success.

THE WORK:

  • Management of various weekly client calls/meetings and internal meetings to provide content reviews, workstream status and to proactively stay ahead of deadlines/issues as appropriate
  • Maintain a senior client leadership role on core accounts to help teams work through client challenges and identify new opportunities/risks
  • Provide strategic and executional support for practice thought leadership, executive visibility and marketing
  • Continuity responsibilities such as finance oversight, legal approvals, compliance, logistics, scope and new business/RFP responses
  • Maintain up to date information to trackers, comms calendars and serve as another layer of quality control
  • Process improvement, with an eye towards new and efficient ways of working
  • Organizing, with support, the annual company event

EXPERIENCE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO SUCCESS: 

  • Ideally 7-8 years of in public relations/corporate affairs communications with 4 years of demonstrated project management experience.
  • Proven ability to plan and prioritize work to meet commitments and identify, secure and employ resources needed to achieve results.
  • Experience supporting new business efforts, including research, drafting proposals (RFP’s/RFI’s) and pitch preparation.
  • Prior experience serving as a day-to-day, client-facing account lead
  • Advanced writing skills, ability to write for senior level management and audiences adapting tone and style
  • Ability to manage complex relationships diplomatically and consultatively
  • Ability to think innovatively; develop creative solutions and new programs
  • Team player, ready to roll up their sleeves in a collaborative environment
  • Proficient in MS Office particularly Excel and Power Point; design skills in PPT are important
  • Desire to work in a diverse and inclusive organization as an active participant in culture initiatives, training opportunities and employee resource groups 

BURSON PERKS: 

  • Hybrid work environment that offers the flexibility and balance of working from home and going into the office
  • Career growth opportunities through continued education, training & development courses, and BCW’s Career Pathing program
  • Employee Resource Groups that provide our employees the platform to network, build key leadership skills, gain greater visibility and access to senior leadership, have an impact at Burson and the outside community and accelerate their careers
  • Paid time off for vacation, sick and personal days, as well as Summer Fridays. Our Flexible Holiday Policy includes 9 paid holidays inclusive of Juneteenth and World Mental Health Day, with the option to swap out a company holiday for another personally significant day. We also offer paid time off for voting, jury duty, bereavement and school leave. In addition, our offices are closed for Winter Break between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
  • 12 weeks paid Parental Leave to bond with your new child, also inclusive of adoption and foster care
  • Wellness benefits including healthcare, vision, dental and pet insurance, as well as free virtual or in-person counselling for mental health
  • 401K Savings and Investment Plans
  • Commuter benefits using pre-tax dollars per month to pay for eligible commuting & parking expenses
  • WPP Employee Discount Program based on client roster
  • More information on benefits can be found Here.  

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.  

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Burson does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of their race, creed, color, age, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, or ancestry.   

For more information, visit www.bursonglobal.com.  

The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range from $60,000 to $140,000. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including business needs, experience, level of responsibility and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click here for more details - https://www.wpp.com/en/careers/wellbeing/benefits-at-wpp-in-the-us.

Our careers page is designed to be accessible to everyone. If you need any specific accommodations during the application process, feel free to reach out to us at appaccommodations@bursonglobal.com. Please note that this email is for applicants needing special assistance, so we may not be able to reply to other inquiries.

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