Burson
Crisis & Issues Associate Director - Burson

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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:
Sat within Burson London’s Corporate Affairs division, the Issues & Crisis team supports clients on a range of complex issues both in the UK and globally. Recognised as one of London’s leading Crisis PR firms by Chambers, we advise leading global corporations and brands on reputational matters including geopolitics, societal issues, cyber-crime, product and safety issues, and corporate governance. This role reports into the UK Head of Crisis.
What you'll do:
- Take a leading role in developing the global and UK client crisis offer
- Support existing client work and growing revenue organically
- Be a trusted advisor to clients, add value to client relationships, and provide high-level strategic counsel
- Prospect for new opportunities, developing pitch responses, and growing new business
- Build the visibility and reputation of the team – with a view to winning new business and attracting talent
- Act as a representative for the team in relevant specialist forums or network groups and participate where appropriate in relevant speaker platforms
- Develop crisis management protocols using the latest in thinking and innovation including, but not exclusively, AI
- Manage client teams while nurturing current talent and contributing to the creation of a strong team culture, while building relationships across the agency
- Be responsible for day-to-day budget and forecast management to ensure the correct level of profitability
- Support the development and rollout of new tools and services
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Experience that contributes to success:
- Proven background in leading crisis and issues management within an agency environment with strong exposure to complex, high-stakes scenarios.
- Commercially driven and entrepreneurial, with a track record of independently identifying and converting new business opportunities, managing client relationships end-to-end.
- Skilled in managing communications across a broad range of stakeholders - including consumers, media, shareholders, suppliers, and employees - during sensitive and high-pressure moments.
- Confident contributing to crisis new business pitches and experienced in contributing crisis expertise to wider corporate or consumer communications proposals.
- Known for calm, strategic thinking under pressure - able to anticipate reputational risks, build proactive response plans, and advise on critical decision-making.
- Trusted advisor to senior communications leaders, with excellent interpersonal skills and credibility at the highest levels.
- Experienced in designing and delivering crisis simulation exercises and media training, alongside wider reputation management initiatives.
- Strong team leader with a collaborative approach to resourcing, commercial oversight, and building high-performing, resilient teams.
- Collaborative and collegiate – able to quickly build networks and relationships across a team to grow opportunities.
#LI-CY1
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.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
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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