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Public Relations Associate Director

Burson
Full-time
On-site
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
🌐 Digital Marketing

πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Public Relations Associate Director

πŸ”Ή Company: Burson

πŸ”Ή Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

πŸ”Ή Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (4 days in office)

πŸ”Ή Category: Public Relations and Communications Services

πŸ”Ή Date Posted: July 16, 2025

πŸ”Ή Experience Level: 10+ years

πŸ”Ή Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Leading high-profile global clients in consumer and tech sectors
  • Offering strategic counsel and creative direction for integrated campaigns
  • Managing client relationships and ensuring satisfaction, retention, and growth
  • Collaborating with senior leaders and mentoring high-performing teams

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of experience and expertise in public relations, with a focus on consumer and tech sectors. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the Australian media landscape and be comfortable leading global clients.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

βœ… Lead high-profile global clients in the consumer and tech sectors, offering strategic counsel, creative direction, and integrated campaign leadership

βœ… Build trusted, long-term client relationships by delivering on business goals and ensuring satisfaction, retention, and growth

βœ… Oversee the development and execution of multichannel campaigns that blend media, influencers, digital, social, and data-driven insights

βœ… Stay ahead of industry trends to keep clients at the forefront of innovation and integrated communications

βœ… Manage escalations and ensure delivery excellence, collaborating with senior leaders as needed

βœ… Lead new business pitches, crafting compelling strategies and narratives that showcase Burson’s creative and strategic strengths

βœ… Collaborate on persuasive proposals, negotiate with clients and procurement, and secure new opportunities

βœ… Stay informed on competitor activity and market shifts to support portfolio growth

βœ… Inspire, lead, and mentor a high-performing team, promoting a collaborative, inclusive, and fast-paced culture

βœ… Support team growth through ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development opportunities

βœ… Lead by example, embodying Burson’s values of creativity, collaboration, and client excellence

βœ… Oversee media strategy and influencer partnerships, ensuring alignment with client objectives and campaign direction

βœ… Act as a senior advisor, helping teams build strong relationships with media, influencers, and industry partners

βœ… Lead innovative, integrated approaches that blend traditional and digital channels

βœ… Manage budgets, billing, and resource allocation to ensure account profitability and operational efficiency

βœ… Maintain accurate reporting, meet billability targets, and contribute to forecasting and business planning

βœ… Play an active role in shaping Burson’s culture and talent strategy and supporting recruitment

βœ… Contribute to agency growth through thought leadership, award entries, marketing efforts, and championing creativity and innovation across the business

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of responsibility and requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and creative direction. The ideal candidate will have experience in managing global clients and leading high-performing teams.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field

Experience: 10+ years of agency experience with expertise across consumer, tech, and B2B sectors, with a deep understanding of the Australian media, digital, and influencer landscape

Required Skills:

  • Senior PR Director or Associate Director with strong leadership experience, ideally in an agency setting with exposure to global clients
  • Strategic and creative thinker with a strong focus on business outcomes and high-impact storytelling
  • Confident communicator and presenter, skilled in client management, team leadership, and relationship building
  • Passionate about integrated marketing and influencer engagement, with the energy and agility to thrive in a fast-paced agency environment
  • Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands effectively

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience working with global clients and managing international teams
  • Fluency in multiple languages

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in public relations, with a focus on consumer and tech sectors. They will be comfortable leading global clients and managing high-performing teams.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: AUD 180,000 - 220,000 per annum (Based on industry standards for a senior PR role in Sydney)

Benefits:

  • Professional development opportunities
  • Mentorship programs with industry leaders
  • Vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation
  • Packages designed to reward and retain top talent

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement (4 days in office)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a senior PR role in Sydney. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: Burson is the global leader in communications, purpose-built to create value for clients through reputation. They reinvent how reputation creates competitive advantage for their clients, so they can lead today and far into the future.

Company Size: Burson has 5,001-10,000 employees globally, with a presence in New York, US, and Sydney, Australia.

Founded: Burson was founded in 1953 and has since grown into a global communications leader.

Company Description:

  • Burson is the global communications leader built to create value for clients through reputation.
  • With highly specialized teams, industry-leading technologies, and breakthrough creative, they 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.

Company Specialties:

  • Public Relations and Communications Services
  • Reputation Management
  • Integrated Communications
  • Crisis Communications

Company Website: bursonglobal.com

ASSUMPTION: Burson is a well-established global communications leader with a strong focus on reputation management and integrated communications. They offer a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues can elevate their skills and expand their networks.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Associate Director, with the opportunity to grow into a leadership role within the agency

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Managing Director and oversees a team of PR professionals

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 4 days in the office and 1 day remote

Growth Opportunities:

  • Progression into a leadership role within the agency
  • Expansion of client portfolio and team management responsibilities
  • Opportunities for international assignments and exposure to global clients

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to advance into a leadership position within the agency and gain exposure to global clients.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in Sydney, Australia

Office Location(s): 126 Phillip Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Geographic Context:

  • Sydney is the largest city in Australia and the capital of New South Wales
  • It is a global hub for finance, business, and culture, with a vibrant and multicultural population
  • The city offers a high standard of living, with excellent education, healthcare, and entertainment options

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement (4 days in office)

ASSUMPTION: Sydney offers a dynamic and multicultural work environment, with a high standard of living and excellent opportunities for professional growth and development.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Online application and resume screening
  • Phone or video screening with the HR team
  • In-person or video interview with the hiring manager and team members
  • Final interview with the Managing Director

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Strategic thinking and creative direction
  • Client management and relationship-building skills
  • Leadership and team management abilities
  • Understanding of the Australian media landscape and consumer trends

Application Tips:

  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
  • Demonstrate your understanding of Burson's values and company culture in your application materials
  • Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your leadership, strategic thinking, and client management skills

ATS Keywords: Public Relations, Associate Director, Global Clients, Consumer, Tech, Integrated Campaigns, Media Strategy, Influencer Engagement, Team Leadership, Burson

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on strategic thinking, leadership, and client management skills. Applicants should tailor their application materials to highlight their relevant experience and demonstrate their fit with Burson's company culture.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
  • Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
  • Media monitoring and analytics tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable using a range of tools and technologies to manage client campaigns, track performance, and collaborate with team members.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • Creativity: Burson values innovative thinking and encourages employees to push boundaries and challenge the status quo
  • Collaboration: Burson fosters a collaborative work environment where employees support and learn from one another
  • Client Excellence: Burson is committed to delivering exceptional results for clients and exceeding their expectations

Work Style:

  • Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines
  • Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong emphasis on communication and coordination
  • Results-driven, with a focus on achieving measurable outcomes and exceeding client expectations

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment?
  • Are you comfortable managing multiple priorities and competing demands?
  • Do you have a proven track record of delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines?
  • Are you a strong communicator and collaborator, with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships?
  • Do you have a passion for integrated marketing and influencer engagement?

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and have a proven track record of delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines. They will also be a strong communicator and collaborator, with a passion for integrated marketing and influencer engagement.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

  • Managing global clients with diverse needs and expectations
  • Balancing multiple priorities and competing demands in a fast-paced agency environment
  • Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement and maintaining a strong team culture
  • Keeping up with industry trends and technological advancements in the communications landscape

ASSUMPTION: This role presents several challenges, including managing global clients with diverse needs, balancing multiple priorities, and adapting to a hybrid work arrangement. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and have strong leadership, strategic thinking, and client management skills.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • This role is similar to other senior associate director positions in public relations agencies, with a focus on consumer and tech sectors
  • However, Burson's global presence and commitment to integrated communications set it apart from other agencies
  • This role offers the opportunity to work with global clients and gain exposure to international markets

ASSUMPTION: While this role is similar to other senior associate director positions in public relations agencies, Burson's global presence and commitment to integrated communications make it a unique opportunity for the right candidate.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

  • Developing and executing a global influencer marketing campaign for a major tech client
  • Managing a crisis communications response for a consumer brand facing a product recall
  • Leading a new business pitch for a major consumer goods client, resulting in a successful account win

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and challenges faced by the ideal candidate in this role, from developing and executing global campaigns to managing crises and leading new business pitches.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • Can you describe the team structure and dynamics for this role?
  • How does Burson support the professional development and growth of its employees?
  • What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
  • How does Burson measure the success of its integrated communications campaigns?
  • What are the key challenges and opportunities facing the consumer and tech sectors in the Australian market?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions will help applicants better understand the team structure, professional development opportunities, and market dynamics relevant to this role.

πŸ“Œ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

  • Submit your application through the Burson Careers portal
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
  • Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your leadership, strategic thinking, and client management skills
  • Research Burson's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit with the organization
  • Follow up with the hiring team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.