(Senior) Managing Director Public Affairs

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.

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At Burson we blend craft curiosity counsel and camaraderie to deliver cutting-edge public affairs and communications strategies. Thriving in Europes political heart our dynamic team excels in navigating complex policy and communications challenges shaping reputations and driving meaningful business outcomes for our clients across diverse sectors. We combine strategic expertise with proprietary AI-driven insights to uncover opportunities crafting compelling narratives that influence key decision-makers. Backed by our global network we provide innovative data-driven solutions that connect with audiences and deliver impact. Our inclusive high-performance culture fuels innovation and empowers individuals to excel creating a vibrant environment where collaboration and growth thrive. Burson clients gain more than consultancythey gain a trusted partner committed to achieving success today and anticipating the challenges of tomorrow.

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 Bursons 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 Bursons market reputation shaping the strategic direction of the business and building lasting relationships across the Burson network that create value for clients and colleagues.

Client and Commercial Leadership

• Lead Bursons 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 Bursons 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.

• Extensive senior-level experience in public affairs strategic communications corporate affairs reputation management or management consulting.
• A proven track record of advising C-suite executives and senior leaders within multinational organisations on complex political regulatory business and reputational matters.
• Significant experience leading major international European or multi-market client relationships and integrated multidisciplinary teams across functions and geographies.
• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated success in growing existing client relationships developing new business and winning significant opportunities.
• Experience managing substantial client portfolios with responsibility for revenue profitability forecasting resourcing and overall financial performance.
• The ability to connect public policy business strategy corporate reputation and communications to develop clear integrated and commercially relevant client solutions.
• Strong knowledge of the EU political regulatory and business environment supported by an established network of policymakers regulators industry stakeholders and senior business leaders.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style with experience coaching and developing consultants and future leaders and the ability to influence within complex international and matrixed organisations.
• Excellent strategic thinking commercial judgement problem-solving and communication skills with the credibility to engage senior audiences. Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French or another European language would be an advantage.

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