Account Executive, Performance Media - Burson

Burson; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 35,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Burson, part of WPP, is seeking an Account Executive, Performance Media to support corporate and public affairs campaigns. The role is based in Washington, DC or New York and involves hands-on management of paid media programs across social, search, and programmatic channels.

The ideal candidate has 1–2 years of digital media or agency experience and a strong eye for detail, analytics, and efficient execution in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in digital marketing, paid media, or agency environments.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the setup, launch, monitoring, and management of paid media campaigns.

Skills

Digital marketing

Paid media

Advertising

Analytics

Attention to detail

Organization

Tools

Meta Ads Manager

LinkedIn Campaign Manager

Google Ads

TikTok Ads Manager

DV360

The Trade Desk

Job description

Who We Are 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.

Who We Are 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. WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP) is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unitecutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counselin 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 bursonglobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

More About The Role

We are seeking an Account Executive, Performance Media to support our Corporate Affairs and Public Affairs practice. This role will work alongside senior performance media and account team members to help execute paid media campaigns for a portfolio of high-profile clients spanning corporate reputation, public affairs, advocacy, public policy, and issue-based communications. The Account Executive will play an important role in the day-to-day management of paid media programs, helping with campaign setup, monitoring, reporting, audience targeting, and optimization across social, search, and programmatic channels. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with 1-2 years of digital media, advertising, communications, or agency experience who is looking to build hands‑on expertise across paid social, search, and programmatic media while supporting integrated communications campaigns. The ideal candidate is highly organized, analytical, detail‑oriented, and eager to learn in a fast‑paced agency environment.

This role can be based in Washington, DC or New York.

What You'll Do

Campaign Execution

• Assist with the setup, launch, monitoring, and management of paid media campaigns across client accounts.
• Support campaign execution across platforms including Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok, Google Ads, YouTube, DV360, and The Trade Desk.
• Help build audiences, manage targeting, implement tracking, conduct QA, and prepare campaigns for launch.
• Support paid social, search, programmatic, and emerging‑channel activations.
• Ensure campaign details, budgets, timelines, and deliverables are tracked accurately.

Optimization & Performance

• Monitor campaign performance and identify optimization opportunities.
• Assist with audience refinements, budget adjustments, creative testing, and other optimizations.
• Flag performance issues, pacing concerns, or technical challenges to senior team members.
• Help evaluate campaign performance against client objectives and KPIs.
• Learn how performance data informs broader communications and media strategy.

Reporting & Analytics

• Prepare campaign reports, dashboards, and performance updates.
• Analyze campaign metrics and identify key takeaways.
• Help track awareness, engagement, reputation, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement metrics.
• Utilize reporting platforms such as Google Analytics and native media platform tools.
• Support the development of client‑facing reporting materials and presentations.

Public Affairs & Corporate Affairs Media Support

• Support paid media campaigns that advance corporate reputation, advocacy, public affairs, and public policy objectives.
• Assist with audience targeting and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Work closely with analytics, creative, public affairs, and account teams to help deliver integrated campaigns.
• Gain exposure to how paid media supports larger earned, owned, and shared communications strategies.
• Support clients navigating complex issues with professionalism and attention to detail.

Team & Client Support

• Partner with Account Supervisors, Vice Presidents, and performance media specialists on day‑to‑day campaign management.
• Help keep projects organized and ensure deadlines are met.
• Participate in internal and client meetings.
• Communicate project updates and campaign progress to team members.
• Take ownership of assigned tasks while proactively asking questions and seeking feedback.

Experience That Contributes To Success

• 1-2 years of experience in digital marketing, paid media, advertising, communications, public affairs, or agency environments.
• Familiarity with paid social, search, and/or programmatic advertising.
• Exposure to platforms such as Meta Ads Manager, LinkedIn Campaign Manager, Google Ads, TikTok Ads Manager, DV360, or The Trade Desk.
• Understanding of advertising fundamentals, audience targeting, campaign reporting, and optimization principles.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting public affairs, advocacy, issue campaigns, policy communications, political campaigns, or corporate reputation initiatives.
• Search and programmatic experience strongly preferred in addition to paid social experience.
• Familiarity with audience and voter or stakeholder data platforms such as LiveRamp, Applecart, Atlas, i360, or BlueLabs.
• Experience using competitive intelligence tools such as AdClarity, Pathmatics, or comparable platforms.
• Experience supporting technology, AI, infrastructure, retail, telecommunications, healthcare, or regulated‑industry clients.
• Agency, public affairs, political, advocacy, or communications environment experience preferred.
• Relevant platform certifications across major media platforms are a plus.

Burson is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

Individual compensation varies based on job‑related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package;

The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range between:
$35,000—$75,000 USD

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. 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.