Account Manager

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.

Burson is part of WPP (LSE / NYSE : WPP), the creative transformation company. For more information, visit bursonglobal and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

THE ROLE

Job Title : Account Manager

Practice : Client Services

Reporting to : Account Director

Location : Johannesburg, South Africa

As an Account Manager, you will play a pivotal role in managing client relationships, implementing communication strategies, and ensuring the seamless execution of campaigns. Reporting to the Account Directors, you will act as a trusted partner to clients, demonstrating strong project management skills, fostering excellent client and team relationships, and mentoring junior colleagues.

This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, creativity, and commercial acumen. You will contribute to the development of integrated communication plans, oversee day-to-day account activities, and ensure that all deliverables meet the highest standards.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with mid-level clients, acting as their primary point of contact and advisor.
• Develop and implement communication strategies that align with client objectives and business goals.
• Write compelling project proposals, campaign plans, press releases, case studies, articles, thought leadership pieces, and reports tailored to client needs.
• Proactively manage on and offline media opportunities to ensure impactful coverage for clients.
• Monitor media coverage, industry trends, and competitor activity to provide actionable insights and recommendations to clients.
• Oversee multiple client projects, ensuring timely delivery, high-quality outputs, and adherence to budgets.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including intelligence analysts and strategists, to integrate data-driven insights into broader campaigns.
• Ensure consistent reporting and communication with clients, delivering clear updates on progress, results, and next steps.

EXPERIENCE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO SUCCESS :

• Proven experience in account management within public relations, communications, or marketing with a strong track record of delivering results.
• Expertise in developing and executing integrated campaigns across corporate, business-to-business, and stakeholder audiences.
• Deep understanding of the media landscape, including traditional, digital, and social platforms, and the ability to leverage these channels effectively.
• Exceptional writing skills with the ability to craft clear, engaging, and professional content such as press releases, articles, thought leadership pieces, and client reports.
• Strong project management capabilities, including overseeing timelines, workflows, budgets, and resource allocation to ensure seamless execution.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with editors, journalists, and media representatives to maximize coverage opportunities for clients.
• Commercial acumen, including experience in budgeting, forecasting, and identifying growth opportunities within accounts.
• Leadership qualities, including mentoring junior colleagues, fostering collaboration, and contributing to a positive and inclusive team culture.

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.