The posting
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.
We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.
Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.
For more information, visit WPP.com.
BURSON BUCHANAN
MANAGING DIRECTOR
JOB PURPOSE
As a Managing Director at Burson Buchanan, you will be a principal growth engine, client counsellor, and key leader within our premier strategic advisory boutique. Burson Buchanan delivers high-level advisory and communications support to clients on major capital markets events, ongoing financial communications, high-profile litigation and government investigations, crises and other reputation-defining events. Backed by Burson’s global network and market-leading data, analytics and AI tools, Burson Buchanan is defining strategic communications advisory for the intelligence era.
As a business generator, you will leverage your deep network of relationships within the advisory community—including leading investment banks, law firms and other advisory firms—and in the executive ranks and boardrooms of leading companies to help originate new business leads and opportunities. As a strategic senior counsellor, you will oversee accounts and lead teams in responding to the market-shaping events faced by Burson Buchanan clients, ensuring we consistently deliver excellent client work while driving sustainable account growth and long-term client retention.
As a member of the Burson Buchanan Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will help shape the strategic direction of the firm. Leading by example, you will set the tone for a team culture that is built on high performance, teamwork, and open and respectful feedback to continue to elevate the value we bring to clients.
CLIENT & STRATEGIC ADVISORY
- Advise and lead: serve as a trusted, high-level strategic advisor at the C-suite and Board level, delivering peer-to-peer counsel on complex capital markets activity (e.g., M&A, IPOs, shareholder activism situations) as well as high-stakes reputational issues (e.g., crisis/issues management and litigation).
- Innovate: Position Burson Buchanan as the UK’s premier strategic comms advisory by seamlessly blending deep capital markets acumen with Burson’s state-of-the-art AI technology suite. Leverage Burson’s global network to support clients across multi-jurisdictional financial and corporate communications challenges.
- Market leader: Maintain a comprehensive, forward-looking understanding of global capital markets, macroeconomic drivers, regulatory shifts, and competitive dynamics to add transformative value to client mandates.
- Client service leader: Lead complex client accounts and major transaction mandates, ensuring flawless execution, game-changing strategic positioning, and the highest standards of quality control across all deliverables.
- Lead by example: Operate with a true “player-coach” mindset—demonstrating the agility to transition seamlessly from board-level counsel to rolling up your sleeves on core deliverables, taking proactive ownership to solve both client and firm-wide challenges.
COMMERCIAL & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Origination & growth: act as a primary business generator for Burson Buchanan. Proactively identify, target, and convert high-value new business opportunities that advance the firm’s commercial priorities.
- Network & brand ambassador: serve as a prominent external ambassador for Burson Buchanan through market commentary, event participation, and senior industry networking to enhance agency profile and lead pipeline.
- Cross-agency opportunities: proactively identify cross-selling opportunities across the broader Burson and WPP networks, bringing multi-disciplinary capability to capital markets clients.
LEADERSHIP, PEOPLE & CULTURE
- Senior Leadership Team: serve as an active member of the SLT, contributing directly to agency-wide strategy, operational excellence, talent strategy, and long-term positioning.
- High-performance culture: model leadership behaviours, setting a benchmark for ambition, strategic depth, and commercial urgency across a high-functioning team of advisors—while helping to build a culture that fosters connection and respect.
- Talent development & mentorship: line manage, mentor, and inspire talent, fostering career growth and retention within the financial comms practice.
- AI & innovation leadership: lead by example in the adoption of innovative solutions for our clients, including AI-driven communications tools, ensuring team adherence to WPP tools, ethical frameworks, and best practices.
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.
WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
