Senior Account Manager - Crisis & Issues - Burson
Senior Account Manager - Crisis & Issues - Burson

Senior Account Manager - Crisis & Issues - Burson

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Burson

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead high-profile corporate communications campaigns and manage crisis situations for top clients.
  • Company: Dynamic agency known for its innovative approach to corporate and public affairs.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay, professional development, mentorship, and a vibrant company culture.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with flexibility and opportunities for career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping reputations and guiding clients through critical challenges.
  • Qualifications: Experience in crisis communications, strong media relations, and exceptional leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

As an Account Director on the Corporate and Public Affairs team, you will lead complex corporate communications campaigns for high‑profile clients such as Red Sea Global and HCLTech, shaping their reputations, influencing key audiences, and driving results.

What You’ll Do

  • Act as a senior day‑to‑day contact for clients, building trusted relationships through sound judgment, empathy, and clear counsel.
  • Lead client conversations during high‑stakes situations, offering calm, strategic advice under pressure and guiding them through complex reputation challenges across markets.
  • Provide strategic oversight of crisis preparedness and response programmes, including scenario planning, escalation frameworks, and real‑time media handling.
  • Lead reactive and proactive issues management across fast‑moving, high‑risk environments – from reputation threats and regulatory scrutiny to activist pressure or internal crises.
  • Support clients with media, stakeholder and employee communications during crises, maintaining trust and consistency of messaging.
  • Oversee and guide press office teams through high‑volume and sensitive media landscapes.
  • Shape media narratives, protect client reputations, and proactively manage journalist relationships, especially during periods of scrutiny or change.
  • Provide clients with a steady stream of proactive, strategic recommendations that demonstrate strong news judgment and business understanding.

Experience That Contributes To Success

  • Significant experience in crisis and corporate communications within an agency environment, ideally working with high‑profile or highly regulated brands.
  • Proven ability to lead on sensitive, business‑critical situations with clarity, confidence, and discretion.
  • Strong background in media relations and narrative management, particularly under intense scrutiny.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills – able to lead teams through challenging situations while maintaining morale and quality.
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complexity into clear, actionable messaging.
  • Commercially minded, with experience managing budgets, forecasting, and resource planning across complex accounts.
  • Comfortable working with data and insights to shape strategy, measure impact, and refine recommendations.
  • Experience supporting new business efforts, from identifying opportunities to leading pitches and developing strategic proposals.

Benefits & Growth Opportunities

We offer comprehensive benefits and people programs, including professional development opportunities, mentorship programmes with industry leaders, a vibrant and inclusive company culture, and competitive compensation packages designed to reward and retain top talent.

Working Environment

We operate on a hybrid model, with teams in the office around four days a week. Accommodations or flexibility can be discussed during the interview process.

Senior Account Manager - Crisis & Issues - Burson employer: Burson

Burson is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering comprehensive benefits and professional development opportunities within a vibrant and inclusive culture. As a Senior Account Manager in our Corporate and Public Affairs team, you will thrive in a dynamic hybrid working environment, collaborating with high-profile clients while receiving mentorship from industry leaders to enhance your career trajectory.
Burson

Contact Detail:

Burson Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Account Manager - Crisis & Issues - Burson

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage on social media. Building relationships can open doors that job applications alone can't.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its clients. Understand their challenges and think about how you can contribute. This will help you stand out as someone who’s genuinely interested and informed.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate your skills in crisis management and media relations.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Account Manager - Crisis & Issues - Burson

Crisis Communications
Corporate Communications
Client Relationship Management
Strategic Oversight
Media Relations
Narrative Management
Interpersonal Skills
Leadership Skills
Written Communication
Verbal Communication
Budget Management
Data Analysis
Business Development
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Account Manager role. Highlight your experience in crisis communications and how it aligns with what we’re looking for at Burson. Show us why you’re the perfect fit!

Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your ability to handle high-pressure situations and lead teams effectively. We want to see your strategic thinking in action.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your messaging is easy to understand. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role – we want to see your communication skills shine!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Burson

✨Know Your Clients Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into the clients you'll be working with, like Red Sea Global and HCLTech. Understand their business models, recent news, and any challenges they face. This will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.

✨Showcase Your Crisis Management Skills

Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've handled crisis situations in the past. Highlight your ability to remain calm under pressure and provide clear, strategic advice. This is crucial for a role that involves leading client conversations during high-stakes scenarios.

✨Demonstrate Strong Media Relations Experience

Since media relations is key in this role, come armed with examples of how you've shaped narratives and managed journalist relationships. Talk about your experience in handling sensitive media landscapes and how you've maintained trust and consistency in messaging.

✨Emphasise Your Leadership Qualities

This position requires exceptional interpersonal skills, so be ready to discuss how you've led teams through challenging situations. Share stories that highlight your ability to maintain morale and quality while guiding your team, especially in high-pressure environments.

Senior Account Manager - Crisis & Issues - Burson
Burson

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>