Account Director (Secondment) - Corporate Communications

Bursonglobalcareers · Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

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, visit WPP.com

For more information visit bursonglobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

More about the role:

This Account Director role is pivotal in leading corporate communications for a high-profile purpose-led client. The successful candidate will own and coordinate workstreams across campaigns, stakeholder engagement, events, strategic communications and PR, providing senior project oversight and trusted advisory counsel. Working closely with the client and in-agency teams, this role focuses on regional media delivery while ensuring alignment with the client's wider international programme. Strong client handling, sound judgement and high emotional intelligence are essential to navigating a complex stakeholder landscape.

What you'll do:

Own and coordinate multiple communications workstreams, ensuring quality, consistency and timely delivery across campaigns, events and PR.
Provide senior project management and oversight, keeping teams, partner agencies and client stakeholders aligned on priorities, milestones and outputs.
Lead the planning and execution of regional media strategies and integrated campaigns
Draft and quality-control written content including strategic narratives, briefing documents, messaging frameworks, press materials and executive communications.
Act as a senior day-to-day client lead, offering strategic counsel and confidently navigating sensitive topics with diplomacy.
Plan and oversee stakeholder engagement programmes and client events, ensuring objectives, audiences and outcomes are clearly defined and delivered.
Advise the client on reputation, issues and opportunities within the sustainability landscape, bringing sector insight and a sharp point of view.
Build and lead high-performing account teams, coaching junior colleagues and fostering strong collaboration across internal specialists and external partners.

Experience that contributes to success:

Significant agency or in-house experience in corporate communications, with a strong track record across campaigns, PR, stakeholder engagement and strategic comms.
Demonstrable expertise in purpose-led communications, with the confidence to advise senior clients on complex and nuanced topics.
Proven senior project management skills, with the ability to own workstreams end-to-end and coordinate across multiple agencies and markets.
Strong writer and editor, able to produce and elevate strategic content in both Arabic & English for varied audiences and channels.
Excellent client handling skills, with high emotional intelligence and the judgement to navigate sensitive conversations and competing priorities.
Experience leading regional media programmes and collaborating with international counterparts to ensure joined-up delivery.
Skilled at planning and delivering events and stakeholder engagement activity that drive measurable reputational impact.
Bilingual Arabic and English capabilities strongly preferred

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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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