Account Director, Corporate Affairs - Burson

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.

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 will play a key role in leading the day-to-day running of one of our most significant global accounts, working with one of the world's largest aerospace and defence companies, and manage a diverse portfolio of high value client relationships across energy, industrial and wider sectors.

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 Relationship Management: Maintain and develop strong client relationships built on trust, leading client meetings and overseeing the smooth running of accounts.
• Strategic communications: Develop and execute integrated campaigns and communications strategies across high profile issues. You will need to demonstrate persuasiveness and diplomacy to advise clients on complex international communications programmes.
• Global Team Coordination: Lead and coordinate a global Burson client team working across multiple time zones. Ensure colleagues in different regions work together smoothly, so the client receives consistent, joined-up support.
• Project Leadership: Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery, high-quality output, and alignment with client expectations.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead and inspire a team of professionals, motivating and coaching junior colleagues while fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with analysts, strategists, and creative teams to incorporate data insights and deliver integrated campaigns.
• New Business Development: Identify opportunities to expand client work, develop proposals, and contribute to pitch meetings for new business.
• Operational Excellence: Manage client budgets, revenue, and resources, ensuring efficient and effective service delivery while meeting or exceeding client needs.

Experience that contributes to success:

• Proven experience in corporate communications, particularly within an integrated communications agency, working on large, recognisable brands, as part of a multi-market networked agency team.  
• A track record of advising on communications in regulated industries, particularly those involving complex reputational and geopolitical issues. Experience of the aerospace and defence sectors would be an advantage but is not essential.
• Strong client management credentials, with the ability to foster long-term relationships and provide strategic counsel on complex communications issues.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing and mentoring large teams, encouraging personal development, and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, with the ability to deliver clear, engaging, and persuasive communications that meet the highest standards of factual accuracy.
• Ability to manage client budgets, forecasting, and resourcing, ensuring efficient and profitable project delivery.
• Knowledge of data insights and analytics, with the ability to use these to shape strategies and provide actionable recommendations for clients.

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