Account Director, Issues & Crisis

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.  

MORE ABOUT THE ROLE:

Burson is seeking an Account Director, with corporate and issues management experience to help lead stakeholder engagement as well as issues and crisis management across existing and potential clients.

As a member of the Corporate & Public Affairs Practice, you’ll be executing reputational work for some of the world’s biggest companies, helping them to manage incoming and ongoing issues and crises.

The majority of this role will be focused on managing existing clients’ day-to-day reputational programming, including stakeholder engagement and issues management, with the opportunity to participate in new business and support ad-hoc crises across a variety of industries.

The ideal candidate will be an exceptional issues and reputation management practitioner, who has deep experience in managing accounts and contributing to strategic new business proposals and will be a strong mentor to junior staff.

This position has an emphasis on quick-turn client counsel, stakeholder engagement relations, development of crisis and issues plans, including narrative and message development and new business and prospecting support development.

For a Communications perspective, this role will focus on crisis response, crisis preparedness, issues management and litigation communications while managing and mentoring internal teams, driving project deliverables, and delivering outstanding results.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Provide proactive and reactive reputation management and crisis counsel to clients across a variety of sectors, including healthcare, financial services and technology among others.
• Develop and implement crisis communications plans and supporting materials including releases, bylined articles, internal and external statements, letters and communication materials for companies.
• Oversee day-to-day stakeholder engagement programming for one of Burson’s largest clients
• Serve as client-facing workstream lead, responsible for communicating programming strategy and execution to clients and Burson client leadership team
• Manage a team to identify, engage and educate industry thought leaders to promote client’s reputation and dispel misperceptions
• Develop materials, including messaging, to guide stakeholder conversations
• Develop client messaging and compelling brand narratives to share across channels
• Development of brand statements and strategy when issues arise.
• Lead internal and external meetings, including stakeholder conversations and executive prep sessions
• Developing written materials, including reports, press releases, presentations, analyses, coverage recaps, and general client correspondence
• Playing a lead role in developing staff and cultivating talent at all levels to build individual and agency issues and crisis competency by career tracking as well as providing mentorship
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior staff with the opportunity to manage junior talent

EXPERIENCE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO SUCCESS:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field.
• 6+ years of experience of previous public relations management experience specifically focused on reputation and issues management, with an emphasis on stakeholder engagement.
• Previous experience in an agency environment is highly preferred.
• Proven experience as a trusted advisor counseling senior clients across a variety of industry sectors in issues and crisis situations.
• Ability to travel on short notice as client crisis needs dictate.
• Results oriented and have a strong understanding of current trends in reputation management and the cultural landscape. Experience executing national and/or global reputation programs is a plus.
• Expertise in leading readiness assessments, developing crisis preparedness plans and leading crisis exercises simulations.
• Must be highly proficient in written and verbal communication and experienced in media relations, both traditional and social.
• Strong and influential voice when dealing with reporters, journalists and external stakeholders
• A proven ability to develop compelling, insight-based strategic proposals and present them effectively and persuasively.
• A demonstrated hands-on media approach is required with experience pitching issues, business and corporate stories to top-tier and trade media outlets.
• An in-depth understanding of clients’ business and challenges.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to manage complex relationships diplomatically and consultatively, work effectively in a team environment, and maintain composure and quality under constant deadline pressure.
• Ability to think innovatively and develop creative solutions and new programs.
• Ability to manage teams and individuals to enable them to perform to their fullest potential.
• Creative and strategic thinking, strong negotiation skills, in-depth analytical skills, and the ability to take a long-term perspective.
• Active listener who builds strong partnerships and confidently offers counsel

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, tuition reimbursement for continued learning, 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.

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

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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