📌 Core Information
Job Title: Public Relations Associate Director
Company: Burson
Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Public Relations and Communications
Date Posted: 2025-05-06
Experience Level: 10+ years
Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office)
🚀 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 to ensure satisfaction, retention, and growth
- Collaborating with senior leaders and contributing to new business development
- Overseeing media strategy and influencer partnerships for alignment with client objectives
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and creative thinker with a strong focus on business outcomes and high-impact storytelling. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the Australian media landscape and experience leading global clients in an agency setting.
📋 Key Responsibilities
Client Service & Strategic Leadership:
- Lead high-profile global clients in the consumer and tech sectors, offering strategic counsel, creative direction, and integrated campaign leadership
- Build trusted, long-term client relationships by delivering on business goals and ensuring satisfaction, retention, and growth
- Oversee the development and execution of multichannel campaigns that blend media, influencers, digital, social, and data-driven insights
- Stay ahead of industry trends to keep clients at the forefront of innovation and integrated communications
- Manage escalations and ensure delivery excellence, collaborating with senior leaders as needed
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have strong leadership experience in PR, ideally within an agency setting, with expertise across consumer, tech, and B2B sectors. A deep understanding of the Australian media landscape and a passion for integrated marketing and influencer engagement are essential.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field
Experience: 10+ years of experience in public relations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
Required Skills:
- Proven track record in leading global PR campaigns
- Expertise in consumer and tech sectors
- Strong leadership, team management, and mentoring skills
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
- Fluency in data-driven storytelling and insights
- Experience with media databases and analytics tools
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with Burson's proprietary tools and platforms
- Familiarity with Burson's clients and industry sectors
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of Burson's unique culture and values, as well as the ability to thrive in a fast-paced agency environment.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: AUD 180,000 - 220,000 per annum (based on experience and industry standards)
Benefits:
- Professional development opportunities
- Mentorship programs with industry leaders
- Vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation
- Competitive packages designed to reward and retain top talent
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible work arrangements available
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for this role, experience level, and location. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and Burson's internal compensation structure.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Public Relations and Communications Services
Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees
Founded: 1996 (as Burson-Marsteller)
Company Description:
- Burson is the global leader in communications, purpose-built to create value for clients through reputation
- The company reinvents how reputation creates competitive advantage for clients, enabling them to lead today and into the future
- Burson's unique approach combines data-driven insights, creative storytelling, and deep industry expertise to deliver innovative communications solutions
Company Specialties:
- Public relations and communications strategy
- Media relations and influencer engagement
- Crisis communications and issues management
- Digital and social media strategy
- Content creation and distribution
Company Website: www.bursonglobal.com
ASSUMPTION: Burson's global presence and expertise make it an attractive employer for PR professionals seeking to work with high-profile clients and gain international experience.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior-level role with significant leadership responsibilities and growth opportunities
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Global Practice Lead or another senior leader within Burson's global network
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (4 days in office) with flexible work arrangements available upon request
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead and grow Burson's consumer and tech practice in the APAC region
- Opportunities to work on global client accounts and collaborate with senior leaders across the network
- Access to professional development opportunities, mentorship programs, and internal mobility
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be proactive in seeking out growth opportunities and taking on new challenges to advance their career within Burson.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in the heart of Sydney's central business district
Office Location(s): 5 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Geographic Context:
- Sydney is Australia's largest city and a major global financial hub
- The city offers a high standard of living, with a diverse cultural scene, vibrant nightlife, and numerous outdoor activities
- Sydney's central business district is home to many of the region's leading corporations and financial institutions
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, with flexible hours and remote work options available
ASSUMPTION: Sydney's dynamic business environment and cultural offerings make it an attractive location for PR professionals seeking to advance their careers in a global city.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
- In-depth interviews with senior leaders and relevant team members
- Final round interviews or presentations, depending on the role
Key Assessment Areas:
- Leadership and team management skills
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with Burson's values
- Expertise in consumer and tech sectors, as well as the Australian media landscape
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this specific role
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your leadership, team management, and problem-solving skills
- Research Burson's clients, industry, and company culture to demonstrate your enthusiasm and fit
ATS Keywords: Public Relations, Associate Director, Consumer, Tech, Global Clients, Strategic Counsel, Integrated Campaigns, Media Strategy, Influencer Engagement, Data-Driven Insights, Business Development, Market Analysis, Budget Management, Team Leadership, Mentoring, Hybrid Work Arrangement, Sydney
ASSUMPTION: Burson's hiring process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit, ensuring the best possible match for both the candidate and the company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Media databases (e.g., Muck Rack, Cision)
- Analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics platforms)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Microsoft Project)
- Collaboration and communication tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
- Design and content creation tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with Burson's proprietary tools and platforms, as well as industry-standard software for PR and communications professionals.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Creativity
- Collaboration
- Client excellence
- Integrity
- Inclusion
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and inclusive
- Focused on delivering high-quality work and driving results
- Adaptable and open to new ideas and approaches
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody Burson's values in your daily work?
- How do you approach building strong, long-term client relationships?
- How do you stay ahead of industry trends and competitor activity?
ASSUMPTION: Burson's unique culture and values make it essential for candidates to demonstrate a strong fit with the company's mission and work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple global client accounts simultaneously
- Balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day tactical execution
- Adapting to Burson's unique culture and work environment
- Navigating a fast-paced, dynamic agency setting
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be proactive in identifying and addressing potential challenges, and have a proven track record of success in similar roles.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to related roles in other agencies, this position offers the opportunity to work with global clients and gain international experience
- Burson's unique approach to communications and reputation management sets it apart from other agencies
- The role provides significant leadership responsibilities and growth opportunities, making it an attractive choice for experienced PR professionals
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience in similar roles and be familiar with Burson's unique approach to communications and reputation management.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a global influencer marketing campaign for a leading tech brand
- Managing a crisis communications strategy for a consumer product recall
- Creating and implementing a data-driven storytelling approach for a major consumer goods company
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience working on similar projects and be able to provide specific examples of their achievements in these areas.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Burson support the professional development of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does Burson foster a culture of collaboration and inclusion?
- What are the most rewarding aspects of working at Burson, according to current employees?
- How does Burson measure the success of its PR campaigns, and how does this role contribute to that process?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be proactive in asking insightful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and Burson's unique culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the provided link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this specific role
- Prepare for phone or video screening and interviews, focusing on your leadership, team management, and problem-solving skills
- Research Burson's clients, industry, and company culture to demonstrate your enthusiasm and fit
- Follow up with the hiring team after your interview, expressing your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
