Head of Agriculture & Consumer Goods, Practice

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.  

What Makes Us Burson

At Burson Brussels, we blend craft, curiosity, counsel, and camaraderie to deliver cutting-edge public affairs and communications strategies. Thriving in Europe’s political heart, our dynamic team excels in navigating complex policy and communications challenges, shaping reputations, and driving meaningful business outcomes for our clients across diverse sectors. We combine strategic expertise with proprietary AI-driven insights to uncover opportunities, crafting compelling narratives that influence key decision-makers. Backed by our global network, we provide innovative, data-driven solutions that connect with audiences and deliver impact. Our inclusive, high-performance culture fuels innovation and empowers individuals to excel, creating a vibrant environment where collaboration and growth thrive. With Burson Brussels, clients gain more than consultancy—they gain a trusted partner committed to achieving success today and anticipating the challenges of tomorrow.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced consultant- advisor at Director level to lead our Agriculture and Consumer Goods practice in Brussels. This role reports to the Chief Client Officer.

What you’ll do at Burson

• Practice Leadership: Provide strategic direction and leadership for the Agriculture and Consumer Goods practice, setting the overall strategy and driving growth.
• Team Management: Manage and mentor a team of consultants, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment. This includes recruitment, training, performance management, and career development.
• Business Development: Identify and pursue new business opportunities, developing and maintaining strong client relationships within the agriculture and consumer goods sectors. This includes proposal writing, pitching, and negotiating contracts.
• Policy Expertise: Maintain deep expertise in EU policies related to agriculture, and consumer goods.
• Client Advisory: Provide expert advice and strategic guidance to clients on a range of EU policy issues, including regulatory developments, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement.
• Thought Leadership: Represent the firm as a thought leader in the field, driving in marketing and participating in external events.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other practice areas to deliver integrated solutions to clients.
• Financial Management: Oversee the financial performance of the practice, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Mentor, inspire and train colleagues, helping them develop professionally and support them to deliver best-in-class consulting services.

You’ll Bring With You

• Significant experience in agriculture or consumer goods policies, within an agency, industry, or trade association.
• Proven experience of leading and managing projects is essential as well as involvement in building strong client relationships.
• Experience in developing and deploying public affairs programs, campaigns and advocacy relations.
• Experience of managing account financials, internal forecasting, and reporting.
• A strong network of contacts with EU policymakers, the media and with the business community on agriculture, retail and consumer goods issues.
• A solution-driven growth mindset.
• Strong experience in people management.
• Experience in managing complex fast-paced situations successfully.
• Ambitious and entrepreneurial with a robust, determined, and hands-on approach.
• Self-motivated, blended with strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills along with strong attention to detail.
• Desire to work in a diverse and inclusive organization as an active participant in culture initiatives, training opportunities and employee resource groups.

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.co

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