Vice President, Mobility & Transportation

Burson•Washington, DC

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Vice President, Mobility & Transportation will serve as a senior client leader across a portfolio of global brands in aviation, automotive, rail, and beyond. This role combines strategic counsel, executive communications, and hands-on PR execution to elevate corporate reputation, shape narratives, and drive business impact. The VP will partner closely with senior client stakeholders and internal leadership to manage executive visibility, guide multi-market programs, navigate sensitive industry and geopolitical issues, and identify growth opportunities across accounts. This is both a delivery and growth role: stabilizing and strengthening core accounts while contributing to new business momentum and capability development. This role is ideally to be based in New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Dallas or Detroit.

Requirements

10–12+ years of experience in public relations or corporate communications, ideally with some experience in an agency environment.
Strong background in corporate reputation, executive communications, and earned media strategy.
Experience advising complex, global organizations in mobility, automotive, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing or technology-driven sectors.
Demonstrated ability to lead integrated programs across multiple markets and stakeholders.
Proven track record managing teams, driving quality control and ensuring profitable delivery.
Strong executive presence and sound judgment under pressure.
Exceptional writing skills, particularly for senior leadership audiences.
Ability to identify growth opportunities within existing accounts and contribute to business development.
Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to team development and culture-building.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic counsel to senior executives and communications leaders, shaping positioning, messaging architecture, and proactive reputation strategies.
Lead executive storytelling and thought leadership initiatives.
Support CEO and executive communications.
Develop and execute integrated corporate communications and earned media programs across multiple markets and stakeholders.
Lead development of PR deliverables for executive and corporate opportunities.
Drive narratives aligned with business priorities, innovation, sustainability, and policy developments.
Support internal communications, including newsletters, speeches, and executive messaging.
Counsel on sensitive industry, geopolitical, and regulatory developments.
Provide strategic guidance to help executives navigate reputational risks and emerging issues.
Identify and unlock organic growth opportunities within existing accounts.
Partner with practice leadership on new business development, including prospecting, proposal development, and pitch participation.
Mentor and develop junior and mid-level team members, modeling high performance standards and strong client stewardship.