Associate Director - Entertainment London, England, United Kingdom

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. When you work at Burson, you are part of a global community of lifelong learners who thrive at the edge of innovation.

The Entertainment team at Burson was formed in 2020 and has been growing fast ever since. It is now made up of 25 sector specialists who live and breathe gaming, esports, music and film. It is home to some of the world’s best loved entertainment brands including Activision Blizzard, Spotify, Meta Reality Labs, LG and Bose. We’re building a vibrant and diverse team that delivers incredible work for amazing brands at the forefront of the entertainment space.

As an Associate Director, you will be a dynamic and commercially astute thinker, creating strategic and innovative solutions for client challenges that yield exceptional results. You will offer insightful and effective counsel to clients, manage expectations, proactively address issues and ensure seamless execution of all client deliverables. This role is a crucial one in our team with responsibility across key clients in our sector.

Client Responsibilities:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, enhancing client relationships and assisting clients in achieving their business and communication objectives.
• Exhibit strong strategic thinking, crafting compelling narratives and multi-channel content strategies.
• Lead creatives sessions internally that deliver high-quality executions.
• Play an active role in business development, identifying and pursuing new opportunities.
• Develop and mentor team members, providing opportunities for growth and development.

Commercial Responsibilities:

• Responsible for accurate client forecasting, resource planning, thoughtful management of client budgets and managing over-servicing levels.
• Drive new business growth within your sector, identifying new opportunities and taking a lead role from ideation to presentation and conversion.
• Contribute to overall sector business plans, demonstrating a perspective on new business growth and new offers.

People Responsibilities:

• Inspire, mentor, and coach direct reports, embodying the agency's vision and fostering a collaborative culture.
• Demonstrate commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, acting as a thoughtful ally.
• Lead and deliver impactful presentations with flair.
• Enhance team capability through training, development, coaching, and mentoring, supporting the leadership team in these efforts.

You’ll Bring Along With You:

• Incredible client service skills, able to stay across multiple workstreams and stakeholders while adding value consistently with your counsel and leadership, based on credibility and reliability.
• A passion for, and professional understanding of, the entertainment industry including gaming, music, film, the streaming economy and more.
• The ability to lead teams – including account teams and specialists – to outstanding creative plans, built on audience insights, cultural understanding, and expertise in what makes for great fame-making brand activity in 2025.
• Commercial acumen and financial rigour, able to create and keep track of complex budgets and monitor service levels.
• A natural leader able to keep teams motivated and delivering to highest standards during busy campaign periods.

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.

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.