Senior Vice President, Corporate & Public Affairs - Burson

More about the role:

Burson is seeking a seasoned Senior Vice President to join our Corporate & Public Affairs practice to lead strategic communications programs for two complex, high-profile global brands operating at the intersection of reputation, policy, stakeholder engagement, and business transformation.

This is a leadership role for a communications counselor who thrives in fast-moving environments where corporate reputation, public perception, business priorities, and external issues are always at play. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in corporate communications, issues management, crisis response, media relations, executive counsel, and integrated stakeholder engagement.

The SVP will serve as a trusted advisor to senior client leaders, providing strategic counsel during periods of heightened visibility, reputational risk, and organizational change. Success in this role requires the ability to navigate evolving policy and regulatory environments, shape compelling narratives, manage complex stakeholder ecosystems, and lead high-performing teams across multiple workstreams.

This leader will oversee day-to-day account management while partnering closely with practice leadership to identify growth opportunities, deepen client relationships, and drive excellence across integrated communications programs.

This is a hybrid role that can be based in Washington DC or New York.

What you'll do:

Strategic Client Counsel

• Serve as the senior day-to-day advisor to executive-level client stakeholders.
• Develop communications strategies that protect and enhance corporate reputation while supporting business objectives.
• Anticipate emerging issues, identify reputational risks, and recommend proactive communications approaches.
• Guide clients through periods of heightened scrutiny, public debate, operational disruption, and stakeholder concern.
• Advise on executive visibility, thought leadership, corporate positioning, and narrative development.

Issues Management & Crisis Communications

• Lead complex issues management and crisis preparedness efforts across a variety of business, regulatory, operational, and reputational scenarios.
• Partner with clients to monitor emerging risks and rapidly activate response strategies when issues arise.
• Counsel senior executives through high-pressure situations requiring timely decision-making and clear communications.
• Collaborate across corporate communications, legal, public affairs, digital, and internal communications teams to ensure coordinated responses.

Corporate Reputation & Public Affairs

• Develop integrated campaigns that enhance trust, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and support long-term reputation objectives.
• Advise clients navigating policy-related, regulatory, labor, sustainability, operational, and marketplace issues with significant public visibility.
• Support engagement with policymakers, industry associations, community stakeholders, and other influential audiences.

Media Relations & Storytelling

• Work with an integrated team of earned specialists to craft compelling media narratives.
• Counsel clients on understanding the modern media landscape.
• Prepare executives for media engagements, issue-driven interviews, speaking opportunities, and high-profile announcements.
• Work in partnership with integrated team of specialists during reputational and crisis situations.

Client Leadership & Team Development

• Lead large, integrated account teams across multiple disciplines.
• Drive operational excellence, staffing, financial management, and account profitability.
• Mentor and develop team members while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Partner effectively with specialists across Public Affairs, Crisis & Risk, Research & Insights, Digital, Creative, and Media Relations.
• Contribute to new business activity and support broader Corporate & Public Affairs growth initiatives.

Experience that contributes to success:

• 15+ years of experience in corporate communications, public affairs, crisis communications, and reputation management.
• Significant experience counseling senior executives and C-suite leaders.
• Demonstrated success leading large and complex communications campaigns.
• Deep expertise in issues management, crisis communications, and corporate reputation strategy.
• Strong media relations background with a track record of generating impactful earned media results and managing high-profile media situations.
• Experience navigating complex stakeholder environments involving policymakers, regulators, industry groups, employees, customers, communities, and media.
• Proven ability to manage multiple, fast-paced workstreams simultaneously while maintaining exceptional client service.
• Experience leading and developing large account teams and managing significant agency revenue.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including account planning, forecasting, staffing, and client growth.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting clients in highly scrutinized industries facing complex regulatory, policy, labor, technology, consumer, manufacturing, or operational issues.
• Familiarity with labor and workforce-related communications, stakeholder engagement, and issues preparedness.
• Experience supporting organizations through corporate reputation, trust, privacy, technology, data, or public policy-related challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to develop integrated communications strategies that align corporate affairs, public affairs, executive positioning, and media engagement.
• Experience leading national and global communications programs across diverse stakeholder groups.

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. 

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