Senior Account Executive, Corporate & Public Affairs

Wpp Group; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 40,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Burson, part of WPP, is seeking a Senior Account Executive to join our Workplace & Purpose team in corporate communications with a focus on sustainability storytelling and corporate impact. You will help clients translate complex topics into engaging narratives for employees, investors and communities.

The role blends media relations, content creation and strategic storytelling across ESG, climate and public affairs. A hybrid work model applies with some office days.

Qualifications

• Approximately 2-3 years of relevant communications experience.
• Hands-on media relations experience, including building media lists and directly pitching reporters.
• Strong writing and content-development skills.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in sustainability, climate, corporate impact, ESG, public affairs or related topics.
• A communications background; experience focused only on program development without communications execution will not be sufficient for this role.
• Curiosity and a flexible, generalist mindset to work across diverse clients.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute communications programs across corporate impact, sustainability, corporate affairs and employee engagement.
• Build targeted media lists and pitch sustainability, social impact, business and corporate media.
• Write clear, compelling content, including pitches, messaging, memos, plans and other client materials.
• Conduct research and turn complex topics into accessible communications.
• Support storytelling around community engagement, ESG and sustainability initiatives.
• Collaborate across disciplines and help manage day-to-day client work and deliverables.

Skills

Media relations

Writing

Sustainability

Public affairs

Employee engagement

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.

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 WPP.com

For more information visit bursonglobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

More about the role:

Burson is looking for a Senior Account Executive to join our Workplace & Purpose team, with a focus on corporate impact, sustainability storytelling and corporate communications, residing in our Corporate and Public Affairs practice. This role is for a communications generalist who is excited to build expertise in purpose communications while broader corporate reputation work.

You will help clients communicate complex issues, bring corporate impact programs to life through strategic storytelling and engagement with employees, investors, communities and other stakeholders. The work may include media relations, message development community engagement, ESG and climate communications, corporate partnerships, employee initiatives and issues management. You should be comfortable meeting clients where they are and helping them make meaningful, incremental progress.

This role may be based in Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., or New York. Candidates must be willing to commute to a Burson office 2-3 days per week.

What you’ll do:

• Develop and execute communications programs across corporate impact, sustainability, corporate affairs and employee engagement.
• Build targeted media lists and pitch sustainability, social impact, business and corporate media.
• Write clear, compelling content, including pitches, messaging, memos, plans and other client materials.
• Conduct research and turn complex climate, policy and business topics into accessible communications.
• Support storytelling around community engagement, corporate partnerships, ESG and sustainability initiatives.
• Contribute to issues-management work involving evolving expectations, regulations and stakeholder priorities.
• Collaborate across disciplines, including public affairs, corporate communications and employee engagement.
• Help manage day-to-day client work, priorities and deliverables across a varied account portfolio.

Experience that contributes to success:

• Approximately 2-3 years of relevant communications experience.
• Hands‑on media relations experience, including building media lists and directly pitching reporters.
• Strong writing and content-development skills.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in sustainability, climate, corporate impact, ESG, public affairs or related topics.
• The ability to speak credibly about climate and sustainability topics and quickly learn technical subject matter.
• A communications background; experience focused only on program development without communications execution will not be sufficient for this role.
• Curiosity, eagerness and a track record of learning quickly.
• A flexible, generalist mindset and willingness to work across a range of clients and business issues.
• The judgment to work constructively with organizations whose practices or perspectives may not fully align with your own, helping them advance their goals responsibly.
• Experience pitching sustainability or social‑impact media.
• Public affairs, policy, advocacy or government experience paired with communications and media-relations skills.
• Exposure to employee communications, change management, employer brand or community‑engagement work.
• Familiarity with ESG reporting or related frameworks.

#LI-MG1

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; click here for more details: https://mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome.

The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range between:

$40,000-$85,000 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 its 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.