Account Director, Direct Impact Practice, PR and Financial Communications

Account Director, Public Relations, Financial Communications

Hybrid Work Structure, DC based

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.

The Role :

Direct Impact, the issue advocacy and grassroots practice of Burson (a WPP agency) is seeking an Account Director to work with a globally recognized automotive client.

With a presence in every U.S. media market and community, our teams of seasoned local experts effectively localize and execute national campaigns and initiatives providing clients with direct access into every community across the country.

The Account Director will join a dynamic, fast-paced team supporting a Fortune 100 Financial Services client. This highly visible position offers the opportunity to work with a matrixed cross-functional team on multiple project workstreams.

They will lead enterprise and consumer initiatives and programs across the U.S. and represent the Local perspectives and capabilities, developing creative ideas and content, story mining and supporting the oversight of the Local team's efforts.

The ideal candidate will have a strong public relations background, with outstanding writing skills and solid project management experience.

They will be in tune with the current media landscape, be intimately knowledgeable of regional and local reporters and will have a strong interest in working in a dynamic, collaborative environment.

The Work :

• Oversee day-to-day client projects, client relationships and / or local events to ensure the quality of work meets client's objectives in a manner that provides value.
• Draft, review and edit materials including newsletters, plans, one-pagers, press releases, opinion pieces, pitches, bylines, talking points and case studies.
• Offer creative ideas, new approaches and innovative thinking to enhance client work.
• Support with material development for new business capabilities proposals and presentations.
• Maintain strong relationships with field network, local partners, client teams and cross-functional internal teams.
• Manage a team to ensure regular reporting, media monitoring and tracking and that client deliverables are high quality and deliver on time.
• Client-facing with execution and oversight of projects around stakeholder and local media relations and events campaigns ensuring high quality and on-time deliverables
• Additional Ad hoc client and practice requests as needed

Experience that contributes to success :

• 7+ years of previous public relations work experience
• Ecellent project and team management skills with a proven ability to plan and prioritize work to meet commitments and identify, secure, and employ resources needed to achieve results
• Experience managing grassroots / local earned media campaigns
• Excellent client management skills
• Strong writing skills with high attention to detail
• Prior experience serving as a day-to-day account lead
• Financial and / or agency experience preferred
• Ability to manage complex client and internal relationships diplomatically and consultatively
• Ability to think innovatively to develop creative solutions and new programs
• Team player, ready to roll up their sleeves in a collaborative environment
• DC-based preferred
• Desire to work in a diverse and inclusive organization as an active participant in culture initiatives, training opportunities and employee resource groups

Perks of Working at Burson :

• Hybrid work environment that offers the flexibility and balance of working from home and going into the office
• Career growth opportunities through continued education, training & development courses, and Burson's Career Pathing program
• Employee Resource Groups that provide our employees the platform to network, build key leadership skills, gain greater visibility and access to senior leadership, have an impact at Burson and the outside community and accelerate their careers.
• Paid time off for vacation, sick and personal days, as well as Summer Fridays. Our Flexible Holiday Policy includes 9 paid holidays inclusive of Juneteenth and World Mental Health Day, with the option to swap out a company holiday for another personally significant day.

We also offer paid time off for voting, jury duty, bereavement and school leave. In addition, our offices are closed for Winter Break between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.

• 12 weeks paid Parental Leave to bond with your new child, also inclusive of adoption and foster care
• Benefits including healthcare, vision, dental and pet insurance, as well as free virtual or in-person counselling for mental health.
• 401K Savings and Investment Plans
• Commuter benefits using pre-tax dollars per month to pay for eligible commuting & parking expenses
• WPP Employee Discount Program based on client roster

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.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Burson / Direct Impact does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of their race, creed, color, age, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, or ancestry.

For more information, visit www.bursonglobal.com.

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The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range from $60,000 to $140,000. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications.

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