Head of Consumer & Brand Practice, Burson UK

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Who We Are

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.

More About The Role

We are seeking a proven strategic leader with a strong track record of building and growing high‑performing, integrated teams and delivering creative, award‑winning, results‑driven work that strengthens brand and corporate reputation. This role is pivotal to Burson’s ambition to live and breathe reputation across all aspects of our work from strategy and storytelling to execution, growth and client partnership. As Head of Consumer & Brand Practice, you will provide vision, leadership and strategic direction across our Brand, Sports and Entertainment pillars. You will inspire the Practice to deliver best‑in‑class communications that drive impact across earned, social and integrated channels, helping clients build relevance, cultural credibility and long‑term reputational value. This is a role for a proactive growth leader, a pitch winner, client partner and team builder, who brings energy, ideas and connections to ignite our consumer business, while collaborating seamlessly with Burson’s Client and Growth teams, WPP partners and global colleagues.

What You’ll Do

• Set the strategic vision and direction for the Consumer & Brand Practice, driving sustained growth across Brand, Sports and Entertainment and ensuring our work consistently enhances client reputation and business outcomes.
• Lead and grow integrated client relationships, providing senior‑level counsel on consumer trends, cultural relevance, reputation, and communications strategies that deliver measurable impact across earned, social and omni‑channel platforms.
• Win and expand business by identifying growth opportunities, leading major pitches, and partnering with Burson’s Client and Growth teams to develop new services, propositions and offers.
• Build and lead high‑performing, multi‑disciplinary teams, bringing together strategy, creative, influence, social, data and intelligence to deliver seamless, collaborative and efficient client solutions.
• Champion excellence in client servicing, embedding a strong client‑centric culture, role‑modeling best‑practice relationship management, and ensuring flawless execution of day‑to‑day work.
• Drive Burson’s reputation in consumer PR, representing the agency internally and externally through thought leadership, industry events, panel speaking and a clear, compelling point of view in the market.
• Own the commercial agenda for the Practice, delivering a formalised growth plan, overseeing client profitability, managing scope and budgets effectively, and maintaining strong financial discipline.
• Lead, mentor and inspire talent, fostering an inclusive, optimistic and high‑performance culture, developing future leaders and encouraging continuous learning.

Experience That Contributes to Success

• A senior, proven leader with extensive experience in consumer, brand and reputation‑led communications within an agency environment.
• Demonstrated success managing and inspiring large, integrated, multi‑disciplinary teams.
• A strong track record of winning and growing complex integrated business and leading high‑value pitches.
• Deep understanding of the consumer brand landscape, with the ability to translate cultural and market insight into impactful communications strategies.
• Commercially astute, with experience owning growth plans, managing profitability and delivering against financial targets.
• Credibility as a trusted senior adviser to clients, with the confidence to provide strategic counsel at C‑suite and senior leadership level.
• Passion for creativity, innovation and new ways of working, including emerging technologies and AI‑enabled solutions.
• A values‑led, inclusive leader who lives Burson’s principles and role‑models excellence, curiosity and collaboration.

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. 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.