Vice President of Talent & Creator Partnerships

Burson•Los Angeles, CA

17d•$75,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Burson 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. Burson is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company. For more information visit bursonglobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. More about the role: The Sports, Entertainment & Gaming team at Burson helps clients bring high-impact talent into their communications and marketing—spanning celebrities, athletes, creators, and other high-value partners. This team moves quickly, stays close to culture, and works across the agency to deliver programs that are strategically sound, creatively inspiring, and operationally tight from contracting through execution. We are looking for a Vice President of Talent & Creator Partnerships to lead talent procurement across our portfolio. This is a highly relationship-driven role, based in Los Angeles with broad collaboration across account teams and agency partners. As VP of Talent & Creator Partnerships, you'll lead high-value talent procurement and management across our Sports, Entertainment, and Gaming work—bringing together strategy, creative thinking, and best-in-class dealmaking to deliver impactful partnerships for our clients. This is a highly networked role centered in Los Angeles, where you'll leverage deep relationships across talent agencies and the broader talent ecosystem to source, vet, negotiate, and execute talent engagements that maximize value across channels (PR, social, and beyond). Ideal candidates will have significant talent/creator partnership experience to include branded video content, social platforms, digital media, and the talent management space coupled with the ability to build and maintain relationships across that landscape, leading strategy within larger 360-degree integrated campaigns.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in talent procurement/management, partnerships, and deal-making across sports, entertainment, and culture; agency experience strongly preferred.
Proven track record securing and executing high-value talent engagements (e.g., athletes, entertainers, gamers, macro creators), from discovery and vetting through contracting and activation.
Strong network and working relationships with major talent agencies and representatives (e.g., CAA, Wasserman and similar)
Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with legal and internal stakeholders (account leadership, creative, strategy, influencer/social, production) to negotiate and deliver contracts that maximize usage rights and value across channels (PR, social, production, and amplification).
Strategic understanding of the 'right' talent for the moment with ability to confidently recommend talent mixes to that drive client impact.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail, and sound judgment in fast-moving, high-stakes situations
Experience attracting, mentoring and developing junior talent and contributing to a collaborative, inclusive team culture.
Strong project management skills, including managing multiple workstreams and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end talent procurement for high value talent across Sports, Entertainment, and Gaming—including macro creators, celebrity talent, athletes, entertainers, and gamers—from discovery and vetting through contracting and execution.
Leverage a strong LA-based network and relationships with key talent agencies (e.g., CAA, Wasserman and other representatives) to source talent quickly, negotiate effectively, and get deals across the finish line.
Partner closely with client, account, and internal legal teams to structure and negotiate contracts that maximize value for clients, including usage rights, likeness, content deliverables, and multi channel distribution.
Bring a strong point of view on culture, brand strategy, and talent—advising on who is right for the moment (and why), and proactively recommending pairings or creative approaches that increase impact.
Develop smart, talent led program recommendations that align to client objectives and translate into executable plans across PR, social, and broader marketing channels.
Collaborate across Sports, Entertainment, and Gaming to field talent requests while helping build scalable systems, processes, and ways of working as the practice grows.
Manage talent related budgets and ensure accurate scoping, tracking, and financial stewardship throughout the deal lifecycle.
Identify and build relationships with best in class vendors, tools, and partners that support talent sourcing, talent management, and program delivery.
Serve as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders by communicating clearly, moving with urgency, and balancing speed with rigor in a fast paced environment.
Mentor and support junior team members and cross agency partners, helping develop the next generation of talent focused practitioners.