At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-stakes corporate communications for iconic brands and manage complex client relationships.
- Company: Join Burson, a leader in corporate and public affairs with a dynamic team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to work with renowned clients.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth in a fast-paced, supportive environment.
- Why this job: Shape reputations and influence key audiences while driving impactful campaigns.
- Qualifications: Experience in crisis communications and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
More About the Role
Are you a communications professional with the ability to lead complex corporate communications campaigns for some of the world’s most renowned brands? At Burson, we’re looking for an Account Director to join our Corporate and Public Affairs team. This is your opportunity to work with iconic clients such as Red Sea Global and HCLTech, shaping their reputations, influencing key audiences, and leading creative campaigns that drive results.
As an Account Director you’ll be at the forefront of client relationships, managing a portfolio of high‑profile accounts, delivering strategic counsel, and leading projects that impact business outcomes. With a focus on corporate affairs, you’ll drive both proactive and reactive communications strategies, ensuring clients’ voices are heard across media, industry, and stakeholder landscapes. You’ll have a hands‑on leadership role, guiding teams, fostering creative problem‑solving, and mentoring junior colleagues. You’ll also actively contribute to business growth, identifying new opportunities and driving integrated communication solutions for clients.
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.
Senior Account Manager - Crisis & Issues - Burson employer: Dormont Manufacturing Co
At Burson, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where creativity and strategic thinking thrive. As a Senior Account Manager in our Corporate and Public Affairs team, you will have the opportunity to work with iconic brands, develop your leadership skills, and contribute to impactful communications strategies while enjoying comprehensive benefits and professional growth opportunities in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Account Manager - Crisis & Issues - Burson
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like Dormont Manufacturing Co. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like Dormont Manufacturing Co, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research Dormont Manufacturing Co inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Account Manager - Crisis & Issues - Burson
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of Dormont Manufacturing Co. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at Dormont Manufacturing Co.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dormont Manufacturing Co
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
