Vice President – Direct Impact, Public Relations & Public Affairs

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.

More About the Role

Direct Impact is the grassroots communications practice of Burson (a WPP agency), with a presence in every media market and political jurisdiction across the U.S. Our team of local experts helps clients localize and execute national campaigns, providing direct access to communities across the country.

We are seeking a Vice President to join our New York team. This role will focus on leading and executing local and regional public relations campaigns, with an emphasis on media relations, community engagement, and event strategy. The ideal candidate will bring strong agency experience, preferably in the financial services sector, and a passion for building meaningful connections between brands and communities.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the planning and execution of local and regional public relations campaigns, including media outreach, community events, and stakeholder engagement.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, providing strategic counsel on media strategy, messaging, and reputation management.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with local media, influencers, and community leaders to amplify client visibility.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure integrated, high-impact campaign delivery.
• Contribute to organic growth by identifying opportunities to expand existing client programs.
• Support the development of thought leadership content and represent the practice at industry events and forums.
• Mentor junior team members and foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture.

Experience That Contributes to Success

• 8–10 years of experience in public relations, communications, or media, with a strong background in agency environments.
• Demonstrated success in managing local media relations, community engagement, and event-based campaigns.
• Experience working with clients in financial services, corporate communications, or regulated industries is strongly preferred.
• Strong writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• A collaborative mindset and a passion for impactful, community-driven storytelling.

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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Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package; click here for more details: mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome.

The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range between:
$75,000—$180,000 USD

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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