Senior Vice President, Corporate & Public Affairs - Burson

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 seasoned Senior Vice President to join our Corporate & Public Affairs practice to lead strategic communications programs for two complex, high-profile global brands operating at the intersection of reputation, policy, stakeholder engagement, and business transformation.

This is a leadership role for a communications counselor who thrives in fast-moving environments where corporate reputation, public perception, business priorities, and external issues are always at play. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in corporate communications, issues management, crisis response, media relations, executive counsel, and integrated stakeholder engagement.

The SVP will serve as a trusted advisor to senior client leaders, providing strategic counsel during periods of heightened visibility, reputational risk, and organizational change. Success in this role requires the ability to navigate evolving policy and regulatory environments, shape compelling narratives, manage complex stakeholder ecosystems, and lead high-performing teams across multiple workstreams.

This leader will oversee day-to-day account management while partnering closely with practice leadership to identify growth opportunities, deepen client relationships, and drive excellence across integrated communications programs.

This is a hybrid role that can be based in Washington DC or New York.

What you'll do:

Strategic Client Counsel

- Serve as the senior day-to-day advisor to executive-level client stakeholders.

- Develop communications strategies that protect and enhance corporate reputation while supporting business objectives.

- Anticipate emerging issues, identify reputational risks, and recommend proactive communications approaches.

- Guide clients through periods of heightened scrutiny, public debate, operational disruption, and stakeholder concern.

- Advise on executive visibility, thought leadership, corporate positioning, and narrative development.

Issues Management & Crisis Communications

- Lead complex issues management and crisis preparedness efforts across a variety of business, regulatory, operational, and reputational scenarios.

- Partner with clients to monitor emerging risks and rapidly activate response strategies when issues arise.

- Counsel senior executives through high-pressure situations requiring timely decision-making and clear communications.

- Collaborate across corporate communications, legal, public affairs, digital, and internal communications teams to ensure coordinated responses.

Corporate Reputation & Public Affairs

- Develop integrated campaigns that enhance trust, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and support long-term reputation objectives.

- Advise clients navigating policy-related, regulatory, labor, sustainability, operational, and marketplace issues with significant public visibility.

- Support engagement with policymakers, industry associations, community stakeholders, and other influential audiences.

Media Relations & Storytelling

- Lead proactive and reactive media relations strategies.

- Identify and develop compelling stories that connect business priorities with audience interests.

- Build and maintain relationships with top-tier business, trade, policy, technology, and national media.

- Prepare executives for media engagements, issue-driven interviews, speaking opportunities, and high-profile announcements.

- Oversee media strategy during reputational and crisis situations, ensuring message consistency and responsiveness.

Client Leadership & Team Development

- Lead large, integrated account teams across multiple disciplines.

- Drive operational excellence, staffing, financial management, and account profitability.

- Mentor and develop team members while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

- Partner effectively with specialists across Public Affairs, Crisis & Risk, Research & Insights, Digital, Creative, and Media Relations.

- Contribute to new business activity and support broader Corporate & Public Affairs growth initiatives.

Experience that contributes to success:

- 15+ years of experience in corporate communications, public affairs, crisis communications, and reputation management.

- Significant experience counseling senior executives and C-suite leaders.

- Demonstrated success leading large and complex communications campaigns.

- Deep expertise in issues management, crisis communications, and corporate reputation strategy.

- Strong media relations background with a track record of generating impactful earned media results and managing high-profile media situations.

- Experience navigating complex stakeholder environments involving policymakers, regulators, industry groups, employees, customers, communities, and media.

- Proven ability to manage multiple, fast-paced workstreams simultaneously while maintaining exceptional client service.

- Experience leading and developing large account teams and managing significant agency revenue.

- Strong business and financial acumen, including account planning, forecasting, staffing, and client growth.

- Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Preferred Experience

- Experience supporting clients in highly scrutinized industries facing complex regulatory, policy, labor, technology, consumer, manufacturing, or operational issues.

- Familiarity with labor and workforce-related communications, stakeholder engagement, and issues preparedness.

- Experience supporting organizations through corporate reputation, trust, privacy, technology, data, or public policy-related challenges.

- Demonstrated ability to develop integrated communications strategies that align corporate affairs, public affairs, executive positioning, and media engagement.

- Experience leading national and global communications programs across diverse stakeholder groups.

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: https://mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome .
The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range between: $125,000 — $295,000 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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