Senior Vice President, Corporate & Public Affairs - Burson

<div class="content-intro"><h3><strong>Who we are:</strong></h3> <p>Burson, part of WPP, 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.</p> <p>WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP) is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit <a href="WPP.com">WPP.com</a> </p> <p>For more information visit <a href="https://www.bursonglobal.com/">bursonglobal.com</a> and follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/burson/posts/?feedView=all">LinkedIn</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/burson.global/?hl=en">Instagram</a>.</p></div><h3><strong>More about the role:</strong></h3> <p>Burson is seeking a seasoned Senior Vice President to join our Corporate & Public Affairs practice to lead strategic communications programs for two complex, high-profile global brands operating at the intersection of reputation, policy, stakeholder engagement, and business transformation.</p> <p>This is a leadership role for a communications counselor who thrives in fast-moving environments where corporate reputation, public perception, business priorities, and external issues are always at play. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in corporate communications, issues management, crisis response, media relations, executive counsel, and integrated stakeholder engagement.</p> <p>The SVP will serve as a trusted advisor to senior client leaders, providing strategic counsel during periods of heightened visibility, reputational risk, and organizational change. Success in this role requires the ability to navigate evolving policy and regulatory environments, shape compelling narratives, manage complex stakeholder ecosystems, and lead high-performing teams across multiple workstreams.</p> <p>This leader will oversee day-to-day account management while partnering closely with practice leadership to identify growth opportunities, deepen client relationships, and drive excellence across integrated communications programs.</p> <p>This is a hybrid role that can be based in Washington DC or New York.</p> <h3><strong>What you'll do:</strong></h3> <p><strong>Strategic Client Counsel</strong></p> <ul> <li>Serve as the senior day-to-day advisor to executive-level client stakeholders.</li> <li>Develop communications strategies that protect and enhance corporate reputation while supporting business objectives.</li> <li>Anticipate emerging issues, identify reputational risks, and recommend proactive communications approaches.</li> <li>Guide clients through periods of heightened scrutiny, public debate, operational disruption, and stakeholder concern.</li> <li>Advise on executive visibility, thought leadership, corporate positioning, and narrative development.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Issues Management & Crisis Communications</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead complex issues management and crisis preparedness efforts across a variety of business, regulatory, operational, and reputational scenarios.</li> <li>Partner with clients to monitor emerging risks and rapidly activate response strategies when issues arise.</li> <li>Counsel senior executives through high-pressure situations requiring timely decision-making and clear communications.</li> <li>Collaborate across corporate communications, legal, public affairs, digital, and internal communications teams to ensure coordinated responses.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Corporate Reputation & Public Affairs</strong></p> <ul> <li>Develop integrated campaigns that enhance trust, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and support long-term reputation objectives.</li> <li>Advise clients navigating policy-related, regulatory, labor, sustainability, operational, and marketplace issues with significant public visibility.</li> <li>Support engagement with policymakers, industry associations, community stakeholders, and other influential audiences.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Media Relations & Storytelling</strong></p> <ul> <li>Work with an integrated team of earned specialists to craft compelling media narratives.</li> <li>Counsel clients on understanding the modern media landscape.</li> <li>Prepare executives for media engagements, issue-driven interviews, speaking opportunities, and high-profile announcements.</li> <li>Work in partnership with integrated team of specialists during reputational and crisis situations.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Client Leadership & Team Development</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead large, integrated account teams across multiple disciplines.</li> <li>Drive operational excellence, staffing, financial management, and account profitability.</li> <li>Mentor and develop team members while fostering a