Public Relations 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. Burson is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company. Learn more at .

JOB TITLE : DIRECTOR

REPORT TO: REGIONAL DIRECTOR/ MANAGING DIRECTOR

Burson META works with some of the best cutting-edge clients within the Technology sector in the region. With a team of over 40 Technology specialists, we are the driving force of innovation within the Tech sector. The team is looking for a Director to join the firm in Abu Dhabi to be part of our continued growth and to provide senior strategic counsel to our clients and teams within Technology Public Relations.

The Role:

As a Director at Burson, you are responsible for the overall development, maintenance, and growth of both the clients and Burson staff. With a focus on strategic counsel, you will work with a team on the overall strategy and direction for key accounts.

Analyze and solve problems, develop strategic programs, ensure value-added products/services, oversee the development and execution of high-quality deliverables, and continually relate the agency’s work back to the clients’ business objectives.

You will have the ability to utilize your industry network to identify and secure new business wins. You will be responsible for employee satisfaction and retention. You will work alongside People + Culture and Finance practice to position the office for success.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

At this level, you will be able to:

Consulting

• Proven experience managing a team at the highest level from a financial, client delivery and staffing perspective.
• Proven ability to identify and secure new business.
• Provide strategic, crisis communication counsel.
• Expand current client business.
• Develop and implement strategic communications programs.
• Possess solid presentation skills, including the ability to communicate and sell ideas to prospects and current clients.
• Ability to accurately project client revenues on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
• Ability to manage, retain, and grow clients at the highest level.
• Demonstrate compelling knowledge of the client, industry or function to address top management problems or opportunities.
• Leverage the knowledge of others utilizing a vast network of Burson and WPP colleagues to develop and serve clients with the deepest possible expertise - truly model Best Team practices.
• Earn trust by positioning the firm with clients, and manage the relationship in ways that build a true institutional partnership.
• Responsible for building and maintaining client relationships at the highest level.
• Provide strategic input and oversight to the development of key deliverables (i.e., messaging, branding, executive coaching, communications/marketing plans, strategy documents).
• Review and approve key client deliverables.
• Track industry trends and activities and offer new ideas to clients.
• Be proactive with clients to address any issues of dissatisfaction.

People

• Serve as a positive role model by demonstrating a positive attitude, professionalism, and dedication to staff, which encourages teamwork and professionalism throughout the office.
• Maximize utilization of each team member on a monthly basis.
• Participate and review the performance management process for all team members.
• Proactively give informal constructive feedback to subordinates on a regular and timely basis.
• Assist subordinates with defining a career path and identifying a niche in which each team member can succeed.
• Document all performance/personnel issues and report them to Human Resources and Managing Directors as appropriate.
• Work with Managing Directors, Human Resources, and Financial manager to make recommendations concerning annual employee salary increases.
• Identify top performers and assign client work and projects that will motivate, encourage, and retain them.
• Approve/review staffing assignments of direct reports on all applicable accounts.
• Help direct or be integrally involved in a core service, asset group or practice niche.
• Manage time effectively, meet deadlines, pay attention to detail and set priorities.
• Conduct fair and objective evaluations to assess the performance of staff.
• Act as a Burson ambassador internally and externally.

Business Acumen

• Accurately project revenue by client on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
• Review actual revenue and utilization throughout the month to ensure goals are being met.
• Deliver revenue and account profitability at least as much as projected for each client on a monthly basis.
• In the event that revenue and/or utilization goals are behind, provide and implement a plan of action for addressing shortfalls.
• Ensure that all account financial matters are handled in a timely manner.
• Show strong financial accountability by continuously finding ways to improve operating margins while enhancing our high-performance culture.
• Review and approve subordinates' timesheets within 24 hours of the week/month closing.

New Business:

• Engage in discussions with key potential client executives to gain access into their industry.
• Convert opportunities by building stature as a strategic thought leader and demonstrating our value.
• Evaluate and recommend pursuit of RFPs that are in line with Burson's new business targets and skill sets.
• Proactively identify opportunities by following local and U.S. management agenda; partner in allocating resources to execute strategies.
• Reconstitute knowledge into marketable, reusable assets by drawing from Burson's knowledge base to create innovative product offerings that attract new clients and open new markets.
• Ensure new product offerings are marketed effectively resulting in substantial new revenues and increased margins for Burson.
• Maintain an average new business pipeline.
• Participate in two networking activities per week, including lunches, seminars, direct marketing activities, cold calls, etc.
• Convert prospects to new clients.
• Review and approve all new business proposals for the team before they are submitted.
• Assist Managing Director and Practice Leader in identifying and pursuing new business opportunities.
• Work with other Burson offices and practices on new business opportunities in a Best Teams approach to providing clients with a winning solution.
• Always stay on top of RFPs that exist and pursue the opportunity or refer business to other Burson offices as appropriate.
• Keep the financial team informed of new prospects and projects.
• Keep the Managing Director apprised of the latest developments regarding new business on a weekly basis.
• Serve as a senior counselor in responding to RFPs.
• Play a major role in new business pitches and presentations.

Staff/Self Development

• Exemplify excellence by communicating the Burson vision and direction in a compelling manner, enabling others to see where they are going and how they fit in.
• Assist in identifying professional development opportunities for staff and support internal training programs. Lead one or more training sessions a year on a local and/or national level.
• Use every lever to build a top-performing team or group by managing a talent pipeline to build a high-performance practice, office or client team.
• Work with the Head of Talent Acquisition to find and attract top talent.
• Assist in developing skills for subordinates.
• Able to effectively delegate tasks.
• Ensure that staff is working in the most cost-effective way to deliver high quality and timely results to the client or Burson.
• Participate in training sessions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree.
• 10 plus years of agency experience or equivalent.
• Specialized industry knowledge niche and has senior level industry and media contacts. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work in a team environment.
• Bilingual is an asset.

#LI-RS1

At Burson, diversity, equity and inclusion are not just values; they are strategic imperatives that fuel our future in an industry built on the art of understanding, connecting and developing relationships. We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue and cultivating meaningful experiences that drive innovation and creativity. It also enables our agency to thrive and deliver brilliant work.