Commercial & Operations Lead, Intelligence & Insight

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 Commercial & Operations Lead for our UK intelligence function, you will play a central role in supporting the growth, performance and day-to-day operation of Burson's Intelligence business. Working closely with Intelligence practitioners, growth leads and market leadership, you will create visibility across pipeline, revenue, resourcing and business performance, helping ensure the practice is positioned for sustainable growth.

Success in this role requires more than commercial acumen. You will bring an understanding of the communications, media intelligence, social intelligence, measurement and research landscape, enabling you to partner effectively with practitioners and translate business needs into operational action.

This role will report into Fred Macleod, Intelligence and Insights MD, UK

What you'll do:

Support the Growth of the Intelligence Business

• Provide visibility of Intelligence pipeline, revenue performance and growth opportunities.


• Help identify opportunities to expand Intelligence services across existing and prospective clients.


• Work with Intelligence leadership to track business performance against growth objectives.


• Maintain oversight of resource demand, utilisation and capacity across the Intelligence team. Demonstrate ability to run client work and projects to scope and budget, with minimal if any over service.


• Help ensure practitioners are deployed effectively against client and business priorities.


• Operationalise the delivery of intelligence product offerings enhancing delivery and growth opportunities


• Identify delivery risks, capability gaps and operational challenges before they impact growth.


• Build relationships across the Burson global network and WPP


• Contribute to the growth of the practice by identifying new opportunities, refining methodologies, and strengthening relevant stakeholder relationships

Experience that contributes to success:

• A strong understanding of the communications data and intelligence landscape, including areas such as media intelligence, social listening, reputation measurement, research, or analytics.


• Proven experience in commercial pricing of intelligence or analytics services, with working knowledge of value-based pricing, margin management, and rate card development


• A track record of managing and developing multi-disciplinary teams, including resource planning, capacity management and performance oversight


• Commercial awareness combined with an appreciation of how specialist intelligence teams operate and deliver value to clients.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.


• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing abilities.


• The ability to work effectively with both commercial leaders and specialist practitioners.

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