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.
Burson is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company. For more information visit bursonglobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
More about the role:
More About the Role
Are you a communications professional with the ability to lead complex corporate communications campaigns for some of the world’s most renowned brands? At Burson, we’re looking for an Account Director to join our Corporate and Public Affairs team. This is your opportunity to work with iconic clients such as Red Sea Global and HCLTech , shaping their reputations, influencing key audiences, and leading creative campaigns that drive results.
As an Account Director you’ll be at the forefront of client relationships, managing a portfolio of high-profile accounts, delivering strategic counsel, and leading projects that impact business outcomes. With a focus on corporate affairs, you’ll drive both proactive and reactive communications strategies, ensuring clients’ voices are heard across media, industry, and stakeholder landscapes.
You’ll have a hands-on leadership role, guiding teams, fostering creative problem-solving, and mentoring junior colleagues. You’ll also actively contribute to business growth, identifying new opportunities and driving integrated communication solutions for clients.
What you'll do
Client & Reputation Management
Act as a senior day-to-day contact for clients, building trusted relationships through sound judgment, empathy, and clear counsel.
Lead client conversations during high-stakes situations, offering calm, strategic advice under pressure and guiding them through complex reputation challenges across markets.
Crisis & Issues Expertise
Provide strategic oversight of crisis preparedness and response programmes, including scenario planning, escalation frameworks, and real-time media handling.
Lead reactive and proactive issues management across fast-moving, high-risk environments – from reputation threats and regulatory scrutiny to activist pressure or internal crises.
Support clients with media, stakeholder and employee communications during crises, maintaining trust and consistency of messaging.
Strategic Counsel & Media Relations
Oversee and guide press office teams through high-volume and sensitive media landscapes.
Shape media narratives, protect client reputations, and proactively manage journalist relationships, especially during periods of scrutiny or change.
Provide clients with a steady stream of proactive, strategic recommendations that demonstrate strong news judgment and business understanding..
Experience that contributes to success
Significant experience in crisis and corporate communications within an agency environment, ideally working with high-profile or highly regulated brands.
Proven ability to lead on sensitive, business-critical situations with clarity, confidence, and discretion.
Strong background in media relations and narrative management, particularly under intense scrutiny.
Exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills – able to lead teams through challenging situations while maintaining morale and quality.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complexity into clear, actionable messaging.
Commercially minded, with experience managing budgets, forecasting, and resource planning across complex accounts.
Comfortable working with data and insights to shape strategy, measure impact, and refine recommendations.
Experience supporting new business efforts, from identifying opportunities to leading pitches and developing strategic proposals.
#LI-SF1
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.
At Burson, we’re an agency of learn-it-alls. 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. Your unique point of view—your talent—is what makes you a #BursonPerson, and it’s how we deliver exceptional results for our clients, together.
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.
When you click the "Submit Application" button below, this will send any information you add below to Burson. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.
