Senior Account Executive, U.S. Crisis & Risk

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:

Burson is seeking a Senior Account Executive to join its U.S. Crisis & Risk specialty, a national team of experts bringing decades of experience supporting clients through some of their most existential challenges.

The ideal candidate has agency and/or in-house experience providing issues and crisis communications counsel to clients, with excellent written and verbal communications skills, as well as the ability to manage competing deadlines and work efficiently in high-pressure situations. If you are looking for an opportunity to work on high-stakes and complex communication issues for some of the world’s best-known brands, we’d like to talk to you.

What you'll do:

• Lead day-to-day client activities, projects and deliverables to advance clients’ business and reputation goals.


• Contribute to clients’ crisis and risk preparedness strategies by developing elements of crisis playbooks, scenario plans and simulation exercises, among others.


• Support issues and crisis management and response, primarily through the drafting of internal and external communications materials including: messaging, holding statements, talking points, Q&As, news releases, social media content and fact sheets.


• Research and monitor clients’ business and industry to maintain a knowledge base and benchmark peer organizations’ approaches to issues and crisis management

Experience that contributes to success:

• 3-4+ years of communications experience, including at least 2 years of issues & crisis management work, in agency and/or in-house roles.


• Specific expertise in crafting crisis communications and scenario plans, with a clear understanding of critical plan elements and how to reach a variety of stakeholders.


• Specific experience in providing communications counsel in active crisis situations; specific experience in sports and with consumer brands a plus.


• Ability to remain composed in high-pressure situations and handle high-priority matters with poise.


• Proven experience using A.I. tools for more efficient workflows and to refine messaging and materials, leveraging strong prompting skills.


• An understanding of modern communication channel strategy, including the media landscape (e.g., traditional news outlets, trade publications and independent journalists), owned digital, social media and other channels to ensure messages reach key stakeholders.


• Demonstrated excellence in writing and verbal communication, with the ability to translate complex issues into communications for stakeholder audiences.


• Desire to work in a diverse and inclusive organization as an active participant in culture initiatives, training opportunities and employee resource groups.

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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.