Account Director, Technology - Burson

More about the role:

The stakes in tech storytelling today are higher than ever. Gone are the days of technology simply “saving the world.” The double-edged sword of today’s technologies creates as much reputational risk as opportunity across diverse stakeholder groups.

Want to be on the front lines, shaping the narrative around the innovations and products changing the way people live, work, connect and experience the world?

With nearly a century of behavioral science and state-of-the-art AI helping us understand the changing dynamics of reputation, Burson partners with many of the world’s leading technology companies to develop communications strategies and stories that resonate, inspire and drive real impact. We’re not just about press releases and blogs. We help companies introduce breakthrough products, navigate complex issues and build reputations that stand the test of time.

If you’re obsessed with all things tech, love solving complex communications challenges and want to be part of a growing and collaborative team, Burson’s US Technology practice is the place for you.

As an Account Director on our growing US Technology team, you’ll play a leadership role in developing and delivering integrated communications strategies for leading technology and consumer brands. You’ll serve as a trusted client counselor, lead significant account workstreams, translate complex technologies into compelling stories and guide multidisciplinary teams from strategy through execution.

An initial area of focus will be supporting the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service, providing strategic communications leadership across its product and technology portfolio. You’ll help shape communications around new products, features and innovations, including advancements in AI and personalization, and develop integrated launch strategies encompassing earned media, social, influencer, owned and internal channels.

You’ll work closely with stakeholders across product, marketing, trust and safety, legal and communications, helping teams anticipate opportunities and reputational considerations while bringing complex technology stories to life for consumers.

This is an opportunity for a seasoned communications professional who combines consumer technology expertise, strategic and creative thinking, strong media instincts and confident client counsel with the curiosity and agility required to navigate fast-moving technology and product environments.

What you'll do:

• Serve as a strategic counselor to clients, building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and providing thoughtful communications counsel across product, corporate reputation and integrated communications priorities.
• Lead significant client relationships and account workstreams, setting priorities, anticipating needs and ensuring teams consistently deliver strategic, creative and high-quality work.
• Develop and lead integrated communications strategies for technology products, features and innovations, including major product launches, media relations, reputation programs and executive thought leadership.
• Translate complex technologies into compelling narratives, helping clients explain sophisticated products, including AI-powered and personalized experiences, in ways that resonate with consumers, media and broader stakeholder audiences.
• Lead product and feature launch communications, guiding strategy from early planning and positioning through launch and post-launch storytelling.
• Bring a 360-degree communications mindset, ensuring strategies consider earned media, social, influencer, owned, internal and paid channels and bringing together the right specialists to deliver integrated programs.
• Provide strategic media counsel, developing compelling storylines, overseeing proactive media strategies and maintaining strong relationships with influential technology, business and consumer journalists.
• Counsel clients on emerging technology and reputational considerations, identifying potential risks or stakeholder concerns and helping teams determine when and how issues should be addressed or escalated.
• Lead cross-functional planning, partnering effectively with product, marketing, social and influencer, trust and safety, legal, analytics, creative and communications stakeholders to build cohesive strategies.
• Turn trends and insights into strategic opportunities, using an understanding of technology, media, culture and consumer behavior to help clients anticipate conversations rather than simply react to them.
• Set the strategic direction and quality standard for client deliverables, providing senior oversight of messaging, media materials, executive content, briefing documents and presentations.
• Lead client presentations and strategic discussions, confidently articulating recommendations, challenging thinking when appropriate and adapting strategies based on client and stakeholder feedback.
• Oversee multiple complex workstreams, ensuring teams effectively manage timelines, priorities, budgets and deliverables across fast-moving accounts.
• Manage and develop junior and mid-level talent, providing coaching, feedback and clear accountability while creating opportunities for team members to grow.
• Partner with senior account leaders on account health and growth, proactively identifying opportunities to expand existing relationships and introduce new capabilities.
• Contribute to new business and practice growth, including proposal development, strategic planning, pitch participation and broader initiatives that strengthen Burson’s Technology offering.

Experience that contributes to success:

• 6–8 years of experience in public relations or strategic communications, with significant experience supporting technology and/or consumer technology clients. Agency experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading major account workstreams and serving as a trusted client counselor, with the confidence to independently guide client conversations and strategic recommendations.
• Strong experience developing and leading integrated communications programs for consumer-facing technology products, services, features or launches.
• Experience across relevant technology sectors such as consumer technology, AI and emerging technologies, digital platforms and services, consumer electronics, gaming, automotive technology or semiconductors.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex technology and product information into clear, compelling and consumer-friendly narratives.
• Strong experience with product communications and launches, including positioning, messaging, earned media strategy and integrated campaign planning.
• Deep media relations experience and established relationships with relevant technology, business and consumer journalists, paired with strong news judgment and storytelling instincts.
• Experience developing integrated, 360-degree communications strategies that extend beyond earned media to social, influencer, owned, internal and paid channels.
• A strong understanding of AI, personalization and emerging technology trends, including the communications opportunities and potential reputational considerations surrounding these technologies.
• Experience partnering with cross-functional stakeholders such as product, marketing, legal, trust and safety, social, influencer and communications teams.
• Demonstrated experience with issues and reputation management, including the judgment to recognize emerging risks, counsel clients appropriately and determine when concerns should be escalated.
• Strong strategic and creative problem-solving abilities, with the ability to move fluidly between big-picture strategy and the details required for excellent execution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of developing compelling narratives and delivering persuasive presentations to senior audiences.
• Excellent organizational and project leadership skills, with the ability to oversee multiple complex workstreams, teams and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proven ability to manage, mentor and develop junior and mid-level team members, delegate effectively and maintain accountability for the overall quality of account work.
• Experience contributing to account growth or new business, including identifying opportunities, developing scopes or proposals and participating in pitches.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and the confidence to form a point of view, make recommendations and challenge thinking constructively.
• A genuine passion for technology and curiosity about the platforms, products, innovations and cultural trends shaping how people live and communicate.

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Burson is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.