Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs

About Burson:

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.

Burson operates under WPP (NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company. Learn more at www.bursonglobal.com.

More about the role:

We are seeking a senior level, politically astute agency leader to help lead, and co-lead a number of important accounts, including support of an international government contract. Desired background includes past working relationships with senior government officials, political campaign experience and demonstrated success in leading strategic initiatives and programs out of Washington or other international capitals. The successful candidate will bring the executive presence, credibility, and political acumen to operate confidently at the highest levels of government and international affairs.

More broadly, this role will help create, inform and oversee execution of reputation programs with a public affairs component. Campaigns will likely spread across a wide spectrum of issues including financial services, climate/sustainability, safety, tourism, taxes and tariffs and government oversight. It will also include protecting and promoting the reputation of companies in Washington. Target audiences will include consumers, government officials (foreign and domestic) and business stakeholders. This is a client-facing role that requires significant experience leading teams and developing strong and broad client relationships. Destination client travel will be required within the Eastern Time zone.

This position may require registration under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), depending on the nature of the activities performed. Candidates should be prepared to comply with all applicable legal requirements, including registration and reporting obligations. Burson will assist with registration and the filing process if applicable.

For consideration, please apply HERE.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and execute campaign strategies around partnerships, stakeholder and influencer engagement to build awareness and public education.
• Develop and maintain relationships with and advise senior level government leaders.
• Collaborate across multiple integrated workstreams, teams and geographies.
• Support commitment to an inclusive and diverse environment, demonstrating strong mentoring and leadership skills.
• Foster strong internal and client-facing relationships to build trust and gradually transition key responsibilities from the Account Lead to the broader team.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior government leaders and other high-level officials.
• Act as the primary on-the-ground presence for various accounts.
• Navigate complex domestic political landscapes and communications challenges, providing strategic counsel on positioning, messaging, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strengthen U.S.-based public affairs capabilities within the practice, ensuring alignment with international strategies and priorities.
• Lead and inspire a collaborative network of leads, ensuring they are informed, connected, and empowered to deliver exceptional results. Be a team uniter, removing obstacles and celebrating successes.
• Personally lead and contribute to key accounts in the Public Affairs arena, working with any individual within a client organization – up to and including CEOs and Board members.
• Foster a sense of belonging and alignment within Burson on key issues, topics, priorities and individuals related to Public Affairs and advisory around the globe. Be an active conduit of information and relationships, creating opportunities both internally and externally.
• Regularly create and contribute to thought leadership that will help build the positioning and reputation of Burson as a leading Public Affairs agency globally.

Experience that contributes to success:

• 14+ years’ senior-level experience in political, government, agency or public affairs roles — ideally including positions at the U.S. State Department, in Congress, senior diplomatic posts, political campaign management or equivalent high-profile leadership roles.
• Strategic mindset and experience crafting strategic communications plans, implementing them tactically and measuring success.
• Experience leading major accounts, practices, or departments within an agency and/or managing strategic corporate public affairs programs in the public sector.
• Recognized as a trusted advisor and thought partner, with a proven ability to manage complex, senior-level relationships across multiple geographies and navigate diverse cultural, economic, and political contexts.
• Demonstrated success in driving new business while growing existing accounts organically, with strong commercial acumen and an orientation toward growth.
• Track record of stakeholder engagement, thought leadership, and message development to consumer, government, and business audiences.
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams, mentor junior practitioners, and build high-performance cultures.
• Excellent intercultural communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex issues with executive presence clearly to individuals, small groups, and large audiences in both written and verbal form.
• Strong analytical skills to adapt to an evolving and unpredictable environment, with an ability to quickly identify, communicate, and act on emerging trends and opportunities in the global public affairs landscape.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, change-focused environment while modeling corporate values.

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, tuition reimbursement for continued learning, 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, 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.

WPP / Burson / Axicom / GCI 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.

For more information, visit www.bursonglobal.com

Our careers page is designed to be accessible to everyone. If you need any specific accommodations during the application process, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. Please note that this email is for applicants needing special assistance, so we may not be able to reply to other inquiries.

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The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range from $155,000 to $390,000. 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.