Senior Director

Who we are:

Burson, part of WPP, 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.

WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP) is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com 

For more information visit bursonglobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

More About the Role:

As a Senior Director at Burson, you will assume a pivotal leadership role within our Corporate and Public Affairs Practice, driving both business growth and exceptional client service. We are seeking a deeply experienced and passionate professional with a proven track record of delivering measurable impact across reputation management, corporate and public affairs. You will leverage strategic and creative insights to develop sophisticated client strategies aligned with business objectives. We are interested in people that have a keen understanding of the corporate and public affairs implications of emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence, as well as related dynamics, including geopolitics. Your mandates will span global, regional (APAC), and local levels, serving clients in both private and public sectors. You will effectively manage and lead teams, achieve revenue targets, and proactively pursue new business opportunities.

What You’ll Do:

Business Development and Client Service:

• Strategically manage a significant portfolio of clients and demonstrate the ability to profitably grow clients and build long-term relationships


• Lead our new business development process by proactively developing business contacts through professional activities and networking events


• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the clients’ business and industry, stay current on news, trends, and issues, in particular those relevant to corporate and public affairs (e.g. geopolitics and international relations, AI developments), and take an active interest in the client’s business to provide strategic counsel


• Cultivate and sustain strong relationships with decision-makers on the client side and take a lead role in resolving issues or concerns


• Maintain a strong rapport with media and stakeholders relevant to your clients’ sectors and businesses.

Talent Management:

• Inspire, coach, mentor and delegate responsibilities to junior staff helping them identify areas of development and consistently serve as a positive role model fostering teamwork and building a growth mindset


• Champion an inclusive and welcoming environment that engages all individuals without bias and demonstrates flexibility in a changing work environment


• Provide continuous constructive feedback - not just during performance reviews - and keep immediate superiors briefed on team member performance ensuring recognition of good performance and resolution of concerns in a timely manner


• Guide and inspire junior staff to develop media contacts and strategies.

Agency Responsibilities:

• Actively contribute to Burson’s success through marketing and thought leadership efforts and engaging with the Burson global and APAC community


• Collaborate with other practices/teams/markets to deliver seamlessly for clients


• Deliver company credentials knowledgeably and confidently showing an in-depth understanding of the agency's full offering and capabilities


• Actively contribute to the development of innovative services, tools, and methodologies within the Corporate and Public Affairs practice, particularly leveraging new technologies


• Market Burson to clients and establish and maintain the reputation and perceived value of the agency; continuously reinforce Burson’s uniqueness to clients


• Identify thought leadership opportunities to enhance Burson’s reputation externally to potential clients and attract new hires


• Contribute to budget forecasting for the practice’s portfolio of accounts, monitoring profitability margins, and revenue projections, while flagging variances and implementing corrective measures after internal alignment where necessary


• Lead accounts in close cooperation with the finance team, ensuring timely billing, accurate reconciliations, and financial compliance across reporting cycles

Experience That Contributes to Success:

• 10-15 years professional experience in roles of increasing complexity and geographic reach


• Experience in multiple corporate and public affairs disciplines including (not necessarily all): research and analysis; reputation strategy; risk communications; crisis and issues management; stakeholder engagement and coalition building; public diplomacy; corporate responsibility; financial communications; employee engagement; government and regulatory affairs; media relations; executive coaching and media training


• Deep understanding of the unique political, economic, and cultural dynamics across the APAC region, and their impact on corporate and public affairs.


• Interest in areas relevant to corporate and public affairs including but not limited to: history, culture, politics, international relations, economics, social issues, sustainability, regulatory developments, technology developments


• Demonstrated ability to integrate emerging technologies, especially AI, into strategic communications and public affairs frameworks, or familiarity with the ethical, regulatory, and reputational implications of AI adoption


• Proven experience navigating cross-market situations – managing teams based in a variety of locations, and working with multinational organisations


• Demonstrated expertise in handling regional / international accounts, with a nuanced understanding of critical dynamics important for such engagements.


• Superior professionalism with clients and internal teams


• Strong interpersonal skills couple with a proven ability to present eloquently and confidently to senior stakeholders


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, Cantonese and Mandarin are a must

*The job description is a summary of typical job functions and is not an exhaustive list of possible duties. The jobholder’s responsibilities and duties may differ from those outlined above. Other duties, as assigned, may be part of the job.

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