Account Manager – 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.

Fuelled by unique insights, creativity, and deep expertise, the Burson International and Public Affairs team is the UK’s most dynamic force of bright, inquisitive, and bold communications consultants.

Consistently ahead of the next, we are trusted advisers when the stakes are high, helping clients navigate the complex challenges of today while anticipating the sensitive issues of tomorrow. We have the firepower and skills to support organisations at every stage in their growth cycles and we reach stakeholders through every possible channel, ultimately moving hearts, minds, and people. We work with clients across all industries including financial service, fintech, education, retail, consumer goods and so much more.

We offer an impressive and integrated mix of agency natives, former journalists, political campaigners, and in-house leads who unite to deliver diverse and differentiated perspectives to clients based on experience and sound judgement. We prize rigor, quality, and agility, forging meaningful partnerships with our clients to add value. And we like to have fun.

Our specialisms include Responsible Business and Corporate Reputation; Public Affairs; Crisis & Issues; Business Transformation; Leadership Communications; and International Affairs. We are a new generation of communicators, all found within a single Burson multi-disciplinary team, at the heart of one of the world’s largest full-service global communications agencies.

About the role

We are the leading International and Public Affairs consultancy within the WPP network with 34 experts in political advocacy and issues management. We take a very wide definition of public affairs from traditional political engagement through to modern day public affairs with Burson’s NEXUS offer which combines top down and bottom up tactics to deliver political impact. At the heart of this is political strategy combined with creative execution across a range of communication channels.

What you will do as you move with us:

• Campaign Planning, Management and Delivery- Creative ideas and communication strategies are developed and clearly documented in PR Plans which reflect the communication objectives for each client and enable delivery of all supporting activity.
• Client Relationships- Multiple relationships are established within client organisations including members of the PR and Marketing teams, key spokespeople, sales teams and other primary members of the internal PR buying unit.
• Copywriting- Advanced writing skills for both consumer and B2B audiences are in evidence, including the production of press releases, project proposals, presentations and wider forms of communications content.
• Presentation & Facilitation- Confident and effective presentation and facilitation skills are applied internally with teams and externally with clients, prospects and other audiences.
• Networking & Business Development- Networks of valuable contacts outside of the media and blogging communities are established and nurtured for leverage with clients and for business development purposes.
• People and Team Management- A comprehensive blend of management styles and techniques are adopted to ensure delivery of client results while motivating, supporting and developing team members.
• Knowledge Building- A comprehensive and current understanding of the media, current affairs, client organisations, key market sectors and Burson’s business proposition result in client satisfaction and retention.
• Reporting & Meeting Management- Timely, quality-driven client reporting and information delivery is achieved.
• Digital Media- Demonstrate a strong understanding of the digital media landscape. Know the digital media tools available to you and how to incorporate them into client programs.
• Account Profitability- Account profitability is maintained through effective team service levels, time analysis and direct cost recovery.

Requirements

Experiences that contribute to your success:

• Parliamentary / government experience – either working as a researcher to an MP or an assistant to a government Minister or in one of the main parties’ campaign organisation (e.g. CCHQ or Labour HQ).
• Public Affairs consultancy experience.
• Good understanding of the integrated nature of public affairs – taking a broad interest in and understanding of the impact of media relations in shaping political opinion
• You are passionate about the politics and the media.
• Live and breathe not just Westminster but the world beyond it closely.
• Have experience in developing campaigns that resonate with political audiences around the nations and regions – be they in Whitehall, Parliament, NGOs or at grassroot level – in order to drive change or to give our clients a voice in the debates that concern them.
• You may be coming from either a consultancy or an in-house role but it is important you understand the demands and technical requirements of the consultancy environment.

Our promise

Burson are committed to growing and sustaining an agency that is both representative and inclusive of the communities we live and work within. At Burson, we believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enables our agency to thrive and deliver brilliant work. We actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented and celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability.

We will only assess you on your abilities and fit for the role, please do get in touch if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during the recruitment process.

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