Account Director, Corporate & Public Affairs, Crisis & Risk

Burson•Chicago, IL

10d•$60,000 - $140,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Burson is seeking an Account Director to join its U.S. Crisis & Risk specialty, a national team of experts bringing decades of experience to support clients through some of their most existential challenges. The ideal candidate has agency and/or in-house experience providing issues and crisis communications counsel to clients around labor, data privacy, cybersecurity, lawsuits, and NIMBY issues. The ideal candidate will possess strong instincts, bring excellent written and verbal communications skills along with the ability to manage competing deadlines in high-pressure situations. If you are looking for an opportunity to work on high-stakes and complex communication issues for some of the world’s best-known brands, we’d like to talk to you. This role can be based in Washington DC, Chicago, New York or Pittsburgh.

Requirements

7-10 years of communications experience, including 3-4 years of recent issues & crisis experience in agency and/or in-house roles.
Specific expertise in crafting crisis communications and scenario plans, with a clear understanding of critical plan elements.
Demonstrated experience in providing communications counsel in active crisis situations; specific experience in retail, agriculture and/or aviation is a plus.
Proven experience using A.I. tools for more efficient workflows and to refine messaging and materials, leveraging strong prompting skills.
An understanding of modern communication channel strategy, including the media landscape (e.g., traditional news outlets, trade publications and independent journalists), owned digital, social media and others to ensure messages reach key stakeholders.
Ability to handle high priority and high-pressure situations with poise, leveraging impeccable client service skills.
Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into communications for multiple stakeholder audiences.
Proven program management capabilities with the ability to work autonomously and as part of a collaborative team.
Desire to work in a diverse and inclusive organization as an active participant in culture initiatives, training opportunities and employee resource groups.

Nice To Haves

Specific experience in retail, agriculture and/or aviation is a plus.

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day client activities, projects and deliverables contributing both tactically and strategically to clients’ business and reputation goals.
Produce internal and external communications materials including: messaging, talking points, news releases, social media content, and facts sheets.
Contribute to clients’ crisis communications preparedness strategies by developing crisis playbooks, scenario plans, and crisis simulations.
Research and monitor clients’ business and industry to maintain a knowledge base.
Provide reactive media relations and message development.