Director, Sustainability - Burson Buchanan in London

Burson Buchannan, part of WPP, is a team of experienced capital markets communications advisers with deep expertise across diverse sectors. We provide integrated communication solutions that support businesses throughout their corporate lifecycle—whether navigating challenges, managing growth, or amplifying success. As strategic partners, we work with clients ranging from SMEs to FTSE 350 companies, delivering tailored strategies that drive impact.

We are looking for a Director to join our team as a strategic architect of client success. In this role, you will lead some of our significant sustainability mandates, primarily within the Energy, Natural Resources, and Leisure sectors. As the market enters a new era of reporting integration, you will be the lead consultant guiding clients through the pivot toward CSRD (ESRS) and ISSB (IFRS S1 & S2) compliance. This is not just about document production; it is about leading the quantitative leap—ensuring sustainability data is as robust, audit‑ready, and strategically aligned as financial reporting. You will provide the high‑level counsel that helps clients transform ESG from a compliance burden into a competitive advantage in the capital markets.

What You’ll Do

• Lead strategic mandates: Serve as the primary strategic lead for high‑profile international accounts and oversee the end‑to‑end delivery of complex sustainability and integrated reports.
• Lead (double) materiality assessments: Identify the ESG issues driving long‑term value and weave these insights into core business strategy.
• Master the regulatory frontier: Advise clients on navigating the shift to mandatory disclosures (UK SRS, IFRS S1 & S2, CSRD) and ensure reporting frameworks are resilient and future‑proof.
• Facilitate the quantitative leap: Bridge the gap between narrative qualitative and data‑led quantitative disclosure; refine KPIs, improve data governance, and strengthen non‑financial metrics.
• Nurture junior consultants: Provide consistent mentorship and delegate with purpose to ensure high‑quality delivery.
• Drive agency innovation: Contribute to the evolution of proprietary tools and platforms such as Workiva and Ctrl Print to build a finance‑grade delivery model that sets the industry standard.
• Network ambassador: Collaborate across the global network and leverage EMEA and US platforms to cross‑sell sustainability expertise to influential brands.
• Commercial leadership: Identify opportunities to extend existing mandates and lead high‑stakes pitches to secure and grow a multi‑million‑pound reporting pipeline.

Experience That Contributes to Success

• Mindset: Openness, curiosity, continuous learning, and courageous tenacity to challenge the status quo.
• Technical fluency: Deep hands‑on experience with TCFD, SASB, GRI, and a clear roadmap for adoption of ISSB and CSRD.
• Capital markets insight: Understanding of investor lens and how ESG performance impacts valuation and access to capital.
• Quantitative edge: Ability to perform data‑led analysis; preference for candidates with financial modelling experience or CFA/Chartered background.
• Experience: 5 to 10 years in consultancy or corporate communications, with a proven track record managing reporting projects.

Our vision is for Burson Buchannan to be the leading academy company for creative communications professionals and emerging leaders. We provide a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues can elevate skills, expand networks, and produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands. We commit to growth through professional development, mentorship, an inclusive culture, and competitive benefits. We value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic. We invest in our people because their success is our success.