(Senior) Managing Director

(Senior) Managing Director - Public Affairs

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:

The (Senior) Managing Director is a senior client and commercial leadership role within Burson Brussels. Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, you will help shape the future direction of the Burson business while also leading our largest and most strategically important client relationships.

You will advise global organisations as they navigate complex political, regulatory, business and reputational challenges. Drawing on expertise from across Burson's international network, you will bring together multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated public affairs and communications programmes that create measurable value and business impact.

Combining strategic client counsel, commercial leadership and business development, this role is suited to someone who is as motivated by building and growing a business as they are by advising clients. You will be equally comfortable acting as a trusted adviser to senior decision-makers, leading international client teams, developing future leaders and identifying new commercial opportunities.

Success in the role will be reflected in the strength and growth of your client portfolio, your contribution to new business and your ability to build high-performing teams. You will also play an important role in strengthening Burson's market reputation, shaping the strategic direction of the business and building lasting relationships across the Burson network that create value for clients and colleagues.

What you'll do:

Client and Commercial Leadership

• Lead Burson's largest and most strategically important client relationships, acting as a trusted adviser to C-level executives and senior communications and public affairs leaders.
• Develop integrated public affairs, communications and reputation strategies that address complex business, political, policy and regulatory challenges.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across Burson's international network, bringing together the right expertise across markets, practices and specialisms.
• Manage a significant client portfolio, maintaining oversight of client service, revenue, profitability, forecasting, resourcing and long-term commercial performance.
• Deepen and expand client relationships by identifying opportunities to introduce the broader capabilities of Burson and WPP.
• Build and maintain influential relationships with senior policymakers, regulators, business leaders, media and other key stakeholders.

Business Development and Growth

• Lead major new business opportunities from initial qualification and strategy development through to successful conversion.
• Generate new opportunities through your professional network, market profile and understanding of emerging client needs, while driving organic growth across the existing client portfolio.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Burson and WPP to develop integrated, cross-practice and cross-market opportunities, contributing to the commercial strategy and future sector focus of Burson.

Business, People and Market Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team to shape the strategic direction, commercial performance and continued growth of Burson, bringing an informed perspective on market trends, competitor activity and evolving client expectations.
• Champion innovation and AI-enabled consulting, develop high-performing teams and future leaders, and represent Burson externally as an ambassador across clients, industry networks, WPP and the wider communications community.

Experience that contributes to success:

• Extensive senior-level experience in public affairs, strategic communications, corporate affairs, reputation management or management consulting.
• A proven track record of ad