Group Account Director - Corporate Communications

Who we are:

Burson 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.

Burson is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company. For more information visit bursonglobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Burson Abu Dhabi is looking for an experienced Group Account Director to join our Mobility & Transport practice seconded into client where you'll be shaping the future of transportation in the UAE

As a Group Account Director, you will take a leadership role in our business, working towards a place on the senior leadership team. You will be confident in managing the commercial aspects of a portfolio or practice, have the gravitas to deliver senior client counsel, and demonstrate the ability to inspire and lead a team.

With a broader view across a practice team and portfolio, the Group Account Director seeks to secure the position of ‘trusted consultant’ at an increasingly senior level, has overall authority on accounts, and takes a lead role in strategic services such as Media Training, Crisis Management, Flight School and Messaging Development.

As a Group Account Director, you will be passionate about continuing the professional development of your own career as well as those in your team, championing Burson standards and contributing to the strategic mission of the regional leadership team. You will have a positive reputation that is recognised across the wider agency and be known as a problem solver with strong business acumen, great analytical skills and creative vision.

CLIENT

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, enhancing client relationships and assisting clients in achieving their business and communication objectives.


• Hold a pivotal role in an inter-agency environment, elevating the importance of PR and communications.


• Foster positive collaborations with agency partners and develop innovative and integrated communication plans


• Exhibit strong strategic thinking, crafting compelling narratives and multi-channel content strategies that generate new revenue streams for clients.


• Work with key stakeholders to drive and expand client activity within the team, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and exceed clients’ expectations.


• Deliver high-quality creative executions that enhance Burson's reputation.


• Lead and facilitate idea creation sessions both internally and externally on behalf of clients


• Understand and apply the central question model in practice.


• Data Strategy & Innovation: Lead the implementation of data-driven strategies for clients. Understand the full suite of Burson’s AI offering, actively introduce our Data and Intelligence team to key clients. Identify opportunities to leverage new data and intelligence tools, and methodologies to enhance client offerings. 


• Thought Leadership & Business Development: Establish thought leadership within the industry by contributing to publications, speaking engagements, and client workshops. Play an active role in business development, identifying and pursuing new opportunities.


• Team Leadership & Development: Lead and manage a team of data & intelligence professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Develop and mentor team members, providing opportunities for growth and development.

COMMERCIAL

• Propose and sell innovative ideas and projects to clients leading to new revenue streams.


• Responsible for accurate client forecasting, resource planning, thoughtful management of client budgets, and managing over-servicing levels. Understand the Staff Cost to Fee (SCTF) ratios and their application.


• Drive new business growth within your sector, identifying new opportunities and taking a lead role from ideation to presentation and conversion.


• Contribute to overall sector business plans, demonstrating a perspective on new business growth and new offers.


• Assume responsibility for staff planning across your accounts to ensure team profitability.


• Collaborate with specialists to accurately scope projects, estimate time requirements, and gain a clear understanding of the commercial aspects of creative delivery.


• Ensure completion of timesheets weekly for both you and your team.

PEOPLE & BEHAVIOURS

• Support and contribute to agency/sector vision, modelling desired leadership behaviour.


• Consider Burson values and think about how you actively demonstrate these in your role


• Apply emotional intelligence in your role as Line Manager; develop SMART performance career plans for direct report/s, successfully manage employee issues and difficult employee communications, and mentor/coach team members to develop their potential


• Demonstrate rigorous line management, developing SMART performance career plans for direct reports and providing support to junior Line Managers.


• Resolve employee performance issues consistently and effectively.


• Assist in fostering a high performance led culture; play a central role in recruiting new talent and retention of existing talent in the team/agency


• Act as a strong leader with the ability to listen effectively and influence a team


• Actively contribute to the regional leadership in terms of agency/sector vision and be seen as a leader – displaying gravitas, managing difficult client relationships, and demonstrating an understanding of business finance


• Lead and deliver impactful presentations with flair.


• Support and contribute to agency/sector vision, modelling desired leadership behaviour.


• Enhance team capability through training, development, coaching, and mentoring, supporting the leadership team in these efforts.


• Engage in L&D opportunities, applying knowledge daily and setting an example for junior team members.


• Work with the L&D team to pursue facilitation training, including Train The Trainer sessions.


• Identify and address learning gaps within teams by collaborating with L&D.


• Keep updated on AI training, exploring its role applications while following WPP guidelines.


• Lead by example in AI training, ensuring team adherence to WPP tools and guidelines.

#LI-RS1

At Burson, diversity, equity and inclusion are not just values; they are strategic imperatives that fuel our future in an industry built on the art of understanding, connecting and developing relationships. We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue and cultivating meaningful experiences that drive innovation and creativity. It also enables our agency to thrive and deliver brilliant work.  

For more information, visit www.bursonglobal.com.  

You belong at Burson:

Our vision is for Burson to be the leading ‘academy company’ for creative communications professionals and emerging leaders. We provide a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues come to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and ultimately, produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands. Our commitment to your growth is reflected in our robust benefits and people programs, which include professional development opportunities, mentorship programs with industry leaders, a vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation and packages designed to reward and retain top talent. We invest in our people because we believe their success is our success.

At Burson, we’re an agency of learn-it-alls. We recognize that the things we do best, creativity and communications, require a level of nuanced understanding. That’s why it’s imperative for us to hire extraordinarily talented people of all backgrounds and identities. Without that we can’t do the essential work of inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue, cultivating meaningful experiences, and driving innovation and creativity for our partners. Your unique point of view—your talent—is what makes you a #BursonPerson, and it’s how we deliver exceptional results for our clients, together.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

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