About this Senior Account Director (PR) role at Burson
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 Malaysia is seeking a Senior Director to lead strategic communications programmes for a diverse portfolio of local, regional, and global clients. This is a leadership role for an experienced communications professional with a proven ability to provide senior counsel, drive business growth, and inspire high-performing teams.
As a Senior Director, you will serve as a trusted advisor to clients’ leadership teams, lead integrated communications programmes, and play a key role in shaping business strategy, developing new opportunities, and delivering exceptional client outcomes. You will work closely with the CEO of Malaysia and collaborate across practices, markets, and WPP agencies to help clients navigate complex business challenges and build reputation as a competitive advantage.
What you'll do:
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Provide strategic communications counsel and trusted advisory support to senior client stakeholders.
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Lead the development and execution of integrated communications programmes that deliver measurable business impact.
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Identify and pursue business development opportunities, including growing existing accounts, responding to RFPs, and leading new business pitches.
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Oversee client portfolios, ensuring strong commercial performance, budget management, and profitability.
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Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, media, industry stakeholders, and partners.
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Support clients in managing issues, crises, and reputation challenges with sound strategic guidance.
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Lead, coach, mentor, and develop team members while fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performing culture.
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Partner with the Malaysia leadership team to drive business strategy, talent development, innovation, and growth initiatives.
Experience that contributes to success:
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Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Business, or a related discipline.
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12+ years of communications or public relations experience, including significant experience within an agency environment.
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Proven experience leading large client accounts and providing senior-level strategic communications counsel.
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Strong track record in business development, client growth, and leading successful new business pitches.
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Excellent leadership and people management skills, with experience coaching, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams.
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Demonstrated expertise in issues management, crisis communications, media relations, and stakeholder engagement.
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Experience leveraging data, digital capabilities, and AI-enabled tools to strengthen communications planning, content development, insights, and campaign effectiveness.
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Strong commercial acumen, including experience managing budgets, resource planning, profitability, and client portfolio performance.
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.
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