Senior Associate Director - Financial & Professional Services

Hill & Knowlton; London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading communications agency seeks a Senior Associate Director for its Corporate Sectors team in London. This role demands expertise in corporate communications and thought leadership, particularly in complex sectors. The ideal candidate will lead innovative campaigns, strengthen client relationships, and guide a diverse team of professionals towards delivering exceptional results.

Benefits

25 days holiday per year

Flexible Public Holidays

Group life assurance scheme

Discounted dental and travel insurance

Full access to Headspace app

Matched pension contributions

Comprehensive private medical care

Enhanced maternity & paternity schemes

Qualifications

• 8+ years' experience in corporate communications, ideally in an agency.
• Strong track record in leading multi-channel corporate campaigns.
• Excellent writing and editorial skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of integrated thought leadership programmes.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior clients.
• Create narratives showcasing clients' expertise.

Skills

Corporate Communications

Thought Leadership

Client Management

Content Creation

Team Leadership

Job description

London, England, United Kingdom

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.

What you'll do:
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Associate Director to join our Corporate Sectors team in London. Our team combines deep sector knowledge with integrated communications capabilities to deliver outstanding results for clients across energy & industrials, financial & professional services, and mobility & transport sectors.

We're proud to provide clients with specialist expertise across corporate communications, public affairs, and thought leadership, working with some of the world's most recognisable brands to navigate complex challenges and opportunities. This role will focus on our client portfolio that has delivered award-winning campaigns for leadership advisory firms, innovation consultancy businesses, and alternative investment firms – to name a few.

We are looking for a candidate with proven experience in developing and executing corporate thought leadership programmes, with a particular focus on complex sectors and emerging themes such as sustainability, the future of work, technology transformation, and stakeholder capitalism.

• Thought Leadership & Corporate Communications: Lead the development and execution of integrated thought leadership programmes that position clients as industry experts and opinion leaders. Drive innovation in content creation and campaign delivery across multiple channels.
• Client Leadership: Serve as a trusted advisor to senior clients, building strong relationships and providing strategic counsel on reputation management and thought leadership opportunities.
• Content Development: Create compelling narratives and content strategies that showcase clients' expertise and perspectives on industry trends, challenges, and opportunities.
• Team Leadership: Serve as a role model and manager to others within a strong, close-knit team of 30+ professionals at all stages of their careers and lead account teams to exemplary delivery for the clients you work with.

Experience that will ensure success:

• 8+ years' experience in corporate communications, with demonstrable expertise in thought leadership
• Strong client management and relationship building skills and experience, ideally from an agency environment
• Strong track record in creating and leading multi-channel corporate campaigns
• Experience working with complex sector clients, particularly in industrial, financial, or professional services sectors
• Excellent writing and editorial skills with ability to translate complex topics into compelling content
• Strong presentation and client counsel capabilities
• Experience in managing and developing teams
• Experience of managing and coordinating across markets
• Understanding of emerging technologies and their impact on corporate communications
• Proven ability to win and grow client relationships

OUR LONDON OFFICE
Burson employs over 450 people in the UK, and our stunning Southwark offices run over two floors as part of the larger WPP Campus, Rose Court. We have access to a beautiful roof terrace withpanoramic views across London and a bar/restaurant area, which is a great spot for client meetings and socialising with the wider agency and other WPPOpCos.

DE&IAt Burson, diversity, equity and inclusion are not just values; they are strategic imperatives that fuel our future in an industry built on the art of understanding, connecting, and developing relationships. We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue and cultivating meaningful experiences that drive innovation and creativity. It also enables our agency to thrive and deliver brilliant work. For more information, visitwww.bursonglobal.com .

APPLICATION SUBMISSION STATEMENT

When you click the "Submit Application" button below, this will send any information you add below to Burson. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through ourRecruitment Privacy Policy. T his explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

• 25 days holiday per year. After 3 years continuous service the entitlement will rise by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30 days after 7 years
• Flexible Public Holidays – you can swap public holidays for days of personal significance.
• Group life assurance scheme (4x basic salary).
• Discounted dental and travel insurance
• Full access to Headspace app
• Westfield Health Cash Plan
• Matched pension contributions
• Comprehensive private medical care
• Enhanced maternity & paternity schemes (after one years’ service).

At Burson, diversity, equity and inclusion are not just values; they are strategic imperatives that fuel our future in an industry built on the art of understanding, connecting and developing relationships. We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue and cultivating meaningful experiences that drive innovation and creativity. It also enables our agency to thrive and deliver brilliant work.

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.

When you click the "Submit Application" button below, this will send any information you add below to Burson. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through ourRecruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read ourCalifornia Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

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When you check the box and click the "Submit Application" button below, this will send any information you add above to Burson.

We think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy . California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice . This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

Our Commitment at Burson is to combine our employees' unique backgrounds, perspective, and experiences to build a truly inclusive organisation that represents all of us and the business we work with.

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