Vice President, Earned Media, Technology - Burson

Burson•San Francisco, CA

20h•$75,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Burson, part of WPP, is a global communications leader focused on creating value for clients through reputation. We are seeking a Vice President, Earned Media — Technology who possesses deep expertise in the technology sector, strong editorial judgment, and creative thinking to help clients craft compelling stories that enhance their reputation and advance their business objectives. This role involves leading earned media strategy and execution for prominent technology clients within Burson’s U.S. Earned Media Practice and Technology teams. You will collaborate with client leads to define client positioning and determine the necessary actions, communications, creations, or demonstrations to achieve desired coverage and recognition. A key aspect of this role is integrating earned media considerations from the outset, working alongside account and client leaders, strategists, creatives, and other specialists to develop impactful ideas that capture attention in the news cycle, build narratives, and identify opportunities to generate news. The ideal candidate will be adept at translating complex technology concepts into coverage that highlights business and human impact.

Requirements

Approximately 10–12 years of relevant experience in technology earned media, media relations, or communications, with substantial responsibility for earned strategy and execution.
Agency experience is preferred.
Direct, hands-on experience in at least two of the following: AI, enterprise/B2B software, or early-stage companies.
A demonstrated ability to turn business objectives and complex technology topics into distinctive narratives and sustained earned media programs.
Strong relationships with business and technology media, alongside an understanding of relevant trade outlets, independent journalists, newsletter writers, and news creators.
A track record of securing meaningful coverage through proactive story development, executive positioning, customer storytelling, and data-driven ideas.
Experience leading earned workstreams within integrated B2B campaigns, including product launches, company-owned events, and major technology industry events.
Experience counseling senior clients and preparing executives for media interviews and other high-visibility opportunities.
Exceptional writing, editing, and presentation skills, with the ability to develop clear strategies, compelling pitches, executive messaging, and briefing materials.
Experience managing teams and multiple client workstreams, contributing to new business and organic growth, and working within agreed scopes and budgets.
Experience using research, analytics, and measurement to inform strategy, improve programs, and demonstrate the contribution of earned media.

Nice To Haves

Start with the business challenge: ask what the client wants to achieve and be known for, then build an earned strategy that connects the two.
Think like an editor: recognize a compelling story, understand its timeliness and credibility, and constructively challenge ideas to make them stronger.
Understand technology deeply: be curious about how technology works, how companies compete, and the implications of innovation for customers, industries, and society; translate complexity into clear, accessible language.
Combine strategy with execution: be comfortable presenting recommendations to senior clients, writing pitches, and speaking with reporters.
Understand the modern media ecosystem: comprehend the evolution across established newsrooms, trade media, newsletters, podcasts, and news creators, and know how to select the right targets for a given story.
Bring clarity and ownership: offer a point of view, direct strategy, set realistic expectations, and take responsibility for team work quality.
Make the team better: collaborate generously, provide useful feedback, help colleagues build judgment and confidence, and remain curious and open to learning.

Responsibilities

Lead earned media strategy, translating clients’ business priorities and reputation goals into clear narratives, proactive storytelling opportunities, and actionable earned programs.
Define target audiences, desired understanding, and effective channels to break through with relevant earned media outlets.
Uncover compelling ideas, data, customer experiences, and proof points that make client businesses newsworthy.
Recommend actions clients can take, say, or create to capture media attention.
Connect technical capabilities and product innovation to broader narratives about business transformation, competition, work, and daily life.
Develop newsworthy narratives that resonate with business, technology, and industry audiences.
Serve as a trusted day-to-day earned media advisor, assisting clients in assessing newsworthiness, refining their point of view, and making informed decisions.
Help clients understand the evolving media landscape and provide sound judgment on sensitive issues, collaborating with senior leaders and specialists as needed.
Develop and maintain relationships with national business and technology journalists, trade reporters, newsletter writers, podcasters, and independent news creators.
Lead pitching efforts and engage in substantive media conversations to secure coverage that advances client narratives.
Partner with account leads and colleagues across Strategy, Intelligence, Creative, Social, and Digital to shape integrated programs with a strong earned media story at their core.
Apply audience insights, media analysis, data, and AI-powered tools to identify emerging conversations, narrative opportunities, white space, and timely opportunities.
Interpret findings and translate them into actionable recommendations using editorial judgment.
Lead earned media workstreams for launches, ongoing storytelling, company events, and major industry moments.
Set clear priorities, manage timelines and resources, and evaluate results against agreed audience, narrative, and reputation objectives.
Coach junior colleagues on strategy, storytelling, pitching, and client counsel.
Contribute to new business proposals and presentations.
Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships.
Partner with account leaders on scopes, staffing, and budgets.