UK Marketing Lead- Burson in Whitehall

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.

More about the role: We are looking for an ambitious, commercially minded UK Marketing Lead to help Burson drive visibility, relevance and connection to the clients and prospects we most want to work with. Sitting at the heart of the UK Growth Team, this is a high-profile role working closely with the Chief Growth Officer and senior leaders across the business. You will help further Burson’s momentum in the UK, turning our best thinking, expertise, people and client work into marketing that builds our reputation, creates demand and opens doors.

You will be responsible for growing Burson's reputation and visibility in the market, strengthening engagement with priority audiences and building marketing programmes that support our growth ambitions across all areas of our business. We are looking for someone with ideas, energy and excellent judgement. Someone who understands what makes senior decision-makers pay attention, knows how to turn complex expertise into compelling stories and can mobilise a busy organisation behind a great idea.

What you'll do:

• Develop and deliver a focused UK marketing strategy that builds brand awareness, distinctiveness and demand, aligned with business and growth priorities.
• Strengthen Burson’s profile among priority clients, prospects, industry influencers, business leaders and future talent, positioning us as a modern strategic advisory partner.
• Build a distinctive thought leadership and editorial programme, turning our expertise, insights, data and senior counsel into timely and compelling content across multiple channels.
• Identify key moments across the business, media and cultural agenda where Burson can lead the conversation, mobilising experts and building the external profiles of senior leaders.
• Create an engaging events and experiences programme, including briefings, roundtables, webinars and partnerships that deepen relationships with clients and prospects.
• Showcase Burson’s best work through case studies, credentials, awards and external storytelling, increasing visibility and recognition for our people, expertise and client impact.
• Build a modern, high-performing marketing engine, using AI, automation, media intelligence, data and measurement to make marketing faster, smarter and more effective.
• Partner closely with UK leadership, Growth, practices, capabilities and the EMEA Marketing Team to maximise commercial impact, amplify regional and global programmes, and share the best of Burson UK across the wider network.

Experience that contributes to success: We're looking for an ambitious marketer who combines the instincts of a marketer, editor and connector, and who likes making things happen. You'll bring:

• A strong track record in B2B or professional-services marketing, ideally within strategic communications, consulting, creative, technology or another expertise-led business.
• Evidence that you have helped build a brand, audience or market position, rather than simply managed marketing activity.
• Experience developing and delivering high-impact thought leadership, content and integrated marketing programmes.
• Excellent editorial judgement.
• Outstanding writing and storytelling skills, with an ability to turn complex ideas into clear, engaging narratives.
• Commercial instinct and an understanding of the relationship between reputation, relationships, marketing and new business.
• Confidence working with senior leaders, including the ability to advise, influence and challenge constructively.
• A strong understanding of AI-enabled marketing, together with curiosity about how emerging technology can improve insight, creativity, personalisation, productivity and measurement.
• Strong knowledge of the communications, marketing and wider business landscape, with a natural curiosity about what's happening in the world.
• A proactive approach to building external relationships with industry influencers, partners, media stakeholders and senior decision-makers.
• A bias for action. You spot opportunities, bring ideas and make them happen.
• High standards and exceptional attention to detail, without allowing perfection to get in the way of momentum.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to bring people together across Growth, practices, capabilities, creative teams and regional marketing colleagues.

What success looks like: You will help create a Burson UK that feels impossible to ignore: sharper in the market, faster into important conversations and better at turning our expertise into reputation, relationships and growth. Success will mean:

• Greater visibility and distinctiveness for Burson amongst priority audiences;
• Stronger engagement with the clients and prospects we most want to reach;
• A recognisable and consistent flow of distinctive Burson attitude, thinking and expertise into the market;
• Greater visibility for our senior experts and our best client work;
• Marketing programmes, content and experiences that create meaningful conversations and support growth;
• A faster, smarter and more measurable marketing operation.

This is an opportunity to help shape not simply how Burson markets itself in the UK, but how the market sees Burson and what we are capable of.

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.