Vice President, Earned Media, Technology - Burson

Burson; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Burson, part of WPP, seeks a Vice President, Earned Media — Technology to lead earned strategy and execution for leading technology clients across the U.S. Earned storytelling, audience insight and data-driven journalism shape the narrative, with collaboration from strategy, intelligence, creative, social and digital teams.

You will build and maintain relationships with national business and technology journalists, translate complex tech into newsworthy stories, coach junior staff, and guide

Qualifications

• Approximately 10–12 years of relevant experience in technology earned media, media relations or communications.
• Ability to turn business objectives and complex technology topics into distinctive narratives.
• Experience leading earned workstreams within integrated campaigns and articulating executive messaging.

Responsibilities

• Lead earned media strategy for technology clients across Burson’s U.S. Earned Media Practice and Technology teams.
• Develop narratives and identify opportunities to create news and reach target audiences.
• Translate complex technology into coverage that supports business impact and human interest.
• Coach junior colleagues on strategy, storytelling, and client counsel.
• Drive hands-on media engagement with national journalists, newsletters, and podcasts.
• Partner across Strategy, Intelligence, Creative, Social and Digital to embed earned storytelling from the start.

Skills

Earned media

Technology storytelling

Editorial judgment

Client counsel

Media relations

Team leadership

AI-powered tools

Tools

AI-powered tools

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 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 WPP.com

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

More about the role:

Technology is reshaping how we live, work and do business. For the companies driving that change, earning attention requires a clear point of view, credible proof and stories that connect innovation to what matters to people and stakeholders.

We’re looking for a Vice President, Earned Media — Technology who combines deep technology sector expertise, strong editorial judgment and creative thinking in order to help clients tell stories that shape their reputation and advance their business priorities.

Working across Burson’s U.S. Earned Media Practice and Technology teams, you’ll lead earned strategy and execution for leading technology clients. You’ll partner with client leads to help clients define what they want to be known for and determine what they need to do, say, create or demonstrate to earn that coverage and recognition.

You’ll bring Earned into the work from the beginning, partnering with account and client leaders, strategists, creatives and other specialists to shape ideas that breakthrough in the news cycle, develop narratives and identify opportunities to create news.

This role calls for someone who can translate complex technology into coverage that supports business and human impact, confidently.

What you’ll do:

• Lead earned media strategy. Translate clients’ business priorities and reputation goals into clear narratives, proactive storytelling opportunities and actionable earned programs. Define the audiences we need to reach, what we want them to understand, how to break through with the right earned outlets that can influence those perceptions.
• Find and create the story. Work with clients to uncover the ideas, data, customer experiences and proof points that make their businesses newsworthy. Recommend what clients can do, say or create to give media a compelling reason to pay attention.
• Make technology relevant. Connect technical capabilities and product innovation to broader stories about business transformation, competition, work and everyday life. Develop newsworthy narratives that resonate with business, technology and industry audiences.
• Provide confident client counsel. Serve as a trusted day-to-day earned advisor, helping clients assess newsworthiness, sharpen their point of view and make informed decision. Help clients understand the evolving media ecosystem and bring sound judgment to sensitive issues, partnering with senior leaders and specialists as needed.
• Drive hands-on media engagement. Develop and maintain relationships with national business and technology journalists, trade reporters, newsletter writers, podcasters and independent news creators. Lead pitching and substantive media conversations, securing coverage that advances the client’s narrative.
• Integrate Earned from the start. Partner with account leads and colleagues across Strategy, Intelligence, Creative, Social and Digital to shape programs with a compelling earned story at their core.
• Use intelligence to sharpen the work. Apply audience insights, media analysis, data and AI-powered tools to identify emerging conversations, narrative opportunities, white space, and timely opportunities. Bring editorial judgment to interpret those findings and translating them into recommendations.
• Own Execution. Lead earned workstreams across launches, ongoing storytelling, company events and major industry moments. Set clear priorities, manage timelines and resources, and evaluate results against agreed audience, narrative and reputation objectives.
• Develop people and grow the business. Coach junior colleagues on strategy, storytelling, pitching and client counsel. Contribute to new business proposals and presentations, identify opportunities to expand existing relationships, and partner with account leaders on scopes, staffing and budgets.

You’re our ideal candidate if you

• Start with the business challenge. You ask what the client wants to achieve and what they want to be known for, then build an earned strategy that connects the two.
• Think like an editor. You recognize a compelling story, understand why it matters now and know what evidence will make it credible. You can challenge an idea constructively and help make it stronger.
• Understand technology deeply. You’re curious about how technology works, how companies compete and what innovation means for customers, industries and society. You can translate complexity into clear, accessible language.
• Combine strategy with execution. You’re comfortable presenting a recommendation to a senior client, writing the pitch and speaking with a reporter.
• Understand the modern media ecosystem. You understand the modern media ecosystem and the evolution across established newsrooms, trade media, newsletters, podcasts and news creators—and how to choose the right targets for a particular story to reach an audience.
• Bring clarity and ownership. You offer a point of view, direct strategy, set realistic expectations and take responsibility for the quality of your team’s work.
• Make the team better. You collaborate generously, give useful feedback and help colleagues build their judgment and confidence. You stay curious and open to learning.

Experience that contributes to success:

• Approximately 10–12 years of relevant experience in technology earned media, media relations or communications, with substantial responsibility for earned strategy and execution. Agency experience is preferred.
• Direct, hands-on experience in at least two of the following: AI, enterprise/B2B software, or early-stage companies.
• A demonstrated ability to turn business objectives and complex technology topics into distinctive narratives and sustained earned media programs.
• Strong relationships with business and technology media, alongside an understanding of relevant trade outlets, independent journalists, newsletter writers and news creators.
• A track record of securing meaningful coverage through proactive story development, executive positioning, customer storytelling and data-driven ideas.
• Experience leading earned workstreams within integrated B2B campaigns, including product launches, company-owned events and major technology industry events.
• Experience counseling senior clients and preparing executives for media interviews and other high-visibility opportunities.
• Exceptional writing, editing and presentation skills, with the ability to develop clear strategies, compelling pitches, executive messaging and briefing materials.
• Experience managing teams and multiple client workstreams, contributing to new business and organic growth, and working within agreed scopes and budgets.
• Experience using research, analytics and measurement to inform strategy, improve programs and demonstrate the contribution of earned media.

#LI-FB1

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:

$75,000—$180,000 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.