Creative Director - Burson UK

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.

As a Creative Director, you’ll be a dynamic, commercially astute creative leader shaping earned-first ideas that drive cultural impact and brand fame. Working within our Creative Strategy & Direction (CS&D) team, you’ll partner with fellow Creative Directors, Strategists and Creatives, with a particular focus on our Brand, Sports & Entertainment portfolio. Leading a small team of creatives, you’ll champion bold thinking and deliver conversation‑driving work for world‑class clients including adidas, Spotify, Meta and Gillette, crafting ideas that thrive across earned, social and cultural spaces.

You’ll bring a sharp understanding of what drives culture and earned conversation in today’s fast‑moving landscape, drawing on modern creative references and insights that shape Gen Z culture and social media behaviour. Passionate about social and deeply connected to youth audiences, you’ll know how to translate cultural moments into strategically sharp, socially fluent, and creatively brave ideas. With an exceptional eye for art direction and a proven track record of industry‑leading campaigns, you’ll inspire and guide your team to push boundaries and deliver work that achieves both creative excellence and real‑world impact.

What You’ll Do

• Create culture‑shaping ideas - craft bold, insight‑led work that earns attention, sparks conversation, and builds lasting trust and emotional connection for brands.
• Turn insight into action - collaborate with strategists to transform cultural understanding and data‑driven intelligence into standout concepts that thrive across earned, social, and digital channels.
• Content Production - inspire and oversee designers, directors, and videographers to deliver beautifully crafted content that hits deadlines, budgets, and big ambitions.
• Client Partner - present creative ideas with clarity and confidence, helping solve complex business challenges and strengthening long‑term relationships.
• Drive commercial growth - bring fresh cultural and technological perspectives, scope and cost work effectively, and propose innovative ideas that open new revenue opportunities.
• Elevate and empower people - mentor and coach creatives to push boundaries, set clear goals, and fuel career growth while modelling Burson’s values, champion Inclusion and a collaborative culture where every voice is heard.
• Stay ahead of what’s next - stay curious about emerging culture, platforms, and AI to future‑proof ideas and keep the team at the cutting edge.

Experience That Contributes To Success

• Proven creative impact - a strong portfolio of culturally resonant, earned‑first and social‑first campaigns that have driven conversation, built brand credibility, and delivered measurable results.
• Client leadership - experience partnering with senior clients to shape strategy, solve complex brand challenges, and present bold creative ideas with clarity and confidence.
• Strategic thinking - ability to translate cultural trends, data and audience insight into distinctive, scalable creative platforms that connect with global and UK audiences.
• Future focus - proficient incuriosity for emerging culture, tech and AI, tools and how they can be applied to creative concepting and execution.
• Production know‑how - hands‑on experience guiding shoots, content creation and multi‑channel delivery, ensuring work is crafted to the highest standard and achievable within scope and budget.
• Commercial awareness - understanding of how creativity drives business value, including scoping and costing projects, aligning resource to revenue, and identifying new growth opportunities.
• Team leadership and development - track record of mentoring and inspiring multi‑disciplinary creatives, setting clear goals, and building an environment where talent can thrive.
• Inclusive leadership - commitment to Inclusion, modelling inclusive behaviours and creating space for diverse perspectives to inform and elevate the work.

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.