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
Sat within Burson London’s Corporate Affairs division, the Issues & Crisis team supports clients on a range of complex issues both in the UK and globally. Recognised as one of London’s leading Crisis PR firms by Chambers, we advise leading global corporations and brands on reputational matters including geopolitics, societal issues, cyber-crime, product and safety issues and corporate governance. This role reports into the MD of the UK Issues and Crisis lead who is also the Global Crisis Practice Leader.
What you'll do
- Take a leading role in developing the global and UK client crisis work, retaining existing client work and growing new business
- Build the visibility and reputation of the team – with a view to winning new business and attracting talent
- Be a trusted advisor to clients, add value to client relationships, and provide high level strategic counsel
- Develop crisis management protocols using the latest in thinking and innovation including, but not exclusively, AI
- Manage client teams while nurturing current talent and contributing to the creation of a strong team culture, while building relationships across the agency
- Be responsible for budget monitoring, revenue forecasting and planning, resourcing, overseeing client budgets and fee negotiation to ensure correct level of profitability
- Support the development and rollout of new tools and services
- Act as a representative for the team in relevant specialist forums or network groups and participate where appropriate in relevant speaker platforms
Experience that contributes to success
- Proven background in leading crisis and issues management within both agency and in-house settings, with strong exposure to complex, high-stakes scenarios.
- Commercially driven and entrepreneurial, with a track record of independently identifying and converting new business opportunities, managing client relationships end-to-end.
- Skilled in managing communications across a broad range of stakeholders - including consumers, media, shareholders, suppliers, and employees- during sensitive and high-pressure moments.
- Confident leading standalone crisis new business pitches and experienced in contributing crisis expertise to wider corporate or consumer communications proposals.
- Known for calm, strategic thinking under pressure - able to anticipate reputational risks, build proactive response plans, and advise on critical decision-making.
- Trusted advisor to senior communications leaders and C-suite executives, with excellent interpersonal skills and credibility at the highest levels.
- Experienced in designing and delivering crisis simulation exercises and media training, alongside wider reputation management initiatives.
- Strong team leader with a collaborative approach to resourcing, commercial oversight, and building high-performing, resilient teams
#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.
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