PR Manager - Contract

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, visitWPP.com 

For more information visit bursonglobal.com and follow us onLinkedIn and Instagram.

More about the role:

What you'll do:

• Develop and lead integrated communications strategies and programmes that help clients achieve their business, communications, and reputation objectives.
• Provide strategic counsel to clients and proactively identify emerging issues, opportunities, and reputational risks.
• Lead day-to-day client relationships, building trusted partnerships and ensuring consistently high-quality counsel and delivery.
• Develop strategic and creative recommendations informed by audience, industry, cultural, competitive, and media insights.
• Oversee the development of compelling content including media materials, reports, briefing documents, executive communications, social content, and thought leadership.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with media, influencers, content creators, and key stakeholders.
• Support clients in crisis preparedness and issues management, as well as media and spokesperson preparation.
• Monitor, analyse, and evaluate programme performance, translating data and insights into actionable recommendations.
• Manage project and retainer budgets, scopes, timelines, and resources to ensure effective delivery and appropriate account servicing.
• Manage, coach, and mentor junior colleagues, providing clear direction, constructive feedback, and opportunities for development.
• Ensure work produced by account teams meets Burson’s quality standards, client requirements, and agreed deadlines.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and contribute to proposals, pitches, and new business development.
• Embed AI-enabled tools into everyday workflows to enhance research, ideation, content development, insights generation, programme optimisation, and operational efficiency.
• Apply critical thinking and professional judgement when using Generative AI, ensuring outputs are accurate, relevant, appropriate, and aligned with client and company requirements.
• Stay curious about emerging technologies and identify opportunities to apply AI, data, and new communications tools to create greater value for clients and teams.

Experience that contributes to success:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Business, or a related discipline.
• 5–6 years of experience in public relations, communications, or a related field, ideally within an agency or similarly fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with strong writing, editing, and presentation capabilities.
• Proven experience developing and delivering integrated communications strategies and programmes.
• Strong client relationship and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to provide strategic counsel.
• Strong media relations capabilities and established relationships with relevant journalists and media.
• Ability to interpret audience insights, media intelligence, industry trends, and campaign analytics to inform recommendations and evaluate success.
• Strong understanding of clients’ businesses and industries, with the ability to connect communications strategies to broader business and reputation objectives.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple clients, projects, budgets, and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Proven ability to manage, coach, and develop junior colleagues while maintaining high standards of work.
• Experience contributing to organic client growth, proposals, and new business pitches.
• Familiarity with Generative AI tools and an understanding of how AI can be applied across communications strategy, research, content creation, ideation, insights, and operational efficiency.
• Ability to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs and combine technology with human judgement, creativity, and communications expertise.
• Results-driven and client-focused, with strong project management and problem-solving capabilities.
• Collaborative and proactive team player who thrives in a fast-paced agency environment.

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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