Account Director

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 and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

More about the role:

Burson, is looking for an Account Director for our Mumbai location. The individual will join our client servicing team to work in our Corporate & Financial space.

As an Account Director at BURSON you are responsible for supporting the senior management to contribute to the company's performance by managing client relationships and integrated communication (IC) programs, satisfying, and delighting clients, generating new business, and developing strong teams. You are expected to be leader with leadership skills. You are also required to support our corporate strategy and your practice or office to help ensure superior client service, a winning culture and profitability.

Burson is the global leader in communications, purpose built to create value for our clients through reputation.

What you'll do:

1. Media Relations:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior editors and journalists
• Secure media coverage for clients
• Respond to complex media queries

1. Journalism:

• Proven experience of at least 5 years as a journalist covering BFSI sector and capital markets
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills.

1. Content Management:

• Develop and implement content strategies for clients
• Create and edit high-quality content
• Ensure timely and effective content distribution

1. Business Development:

• Support Directors and Senior Leaders in identifying opportunities for organic growth with existing clients and keep up with client and market changes that could lead to new business opportunities.
• Support our new business development process by actively developing business contacts through professional activities and network with professional contacts as a means of exchanging ideas and opening new client opportunities.
• Introduce existing clients to BURSON offices in other geographies to contribute to the regional/global growth of the company.

1. Talent Management:

• Coach, mentor, and delegate responsibilities to junior staff
• Foster teamwork and build morale and motivation within account teams ensuring that good performance and efforts are recognized.
• Create an inclusive and welcoming environment that engage all individuals without bias and demonstrate flexibility in a changing work environment.
• Support directors and senior leaders to help team members to identify development needs, acquire new skills and grow within the organization.
• Provide continuous constructive feedback to team members- not just during performance reviews- to develop the next generation of client leaders.
• Conduct learning and development programs and participate in staff retention initiatives.
• Serve as a role model to the junior staff, embodying the values of the company.

1. Financial Management:

• Know and meet billability targets.
• Act as a conduit between finance and the client servicing team to ensure that accounts are profitably managed; understand the reason for over and under servicing.
• Follow agency procedures for client budgets, budget tracking, contract approval and billing rates.
• Support senior leaders to prepare and manage annual budgets and forecasts of projected income.
• Manage your team and allocate resources for agency profitability.
• Understand client contracts and assist with the development of detailed scopes of work.
• Ensure that contracts and terms and conditions of businesses are issued and signed by all new clients prior to the commencement of work.
• Support your director to contribute to BURSON's business plans to increase market share and profits.

Experience that contributes to success:

• Graduate or Postgraduate in any stream or professional qualification in the field of public relations or marketing communication.
• Between 7 to 10 years work experience in media relations, content management, public relations or the communications industry, out of which at least 4 years should be in an associate / director position servicing client.

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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