Senior Vice President, Corporate & Public Affairs, Workplace & Purpose

Senior Vice President, Corporate & Public Affairs, Workplace & Purpose
Burson, part of WPP, 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.

WPP (LSE/NYSE: 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.

The preferred location for this role is San Francisco or Los Angeles followed by Chicago, Austin or Dallas.

What you’ll do:

Serve as a senior leader in the Workplace & Purpose practice, responsible for elevating performance, driving growth, and defining market positioning in the Purpose space.

Lead a portfolio of complex, multi‑sector clients, providing senior counsel across sustainability, ESG, corporate purpose, and stakeholder engagement.

Drive organic and new business growth, expanding existing relationships while identifying and converting new opportunities.

Serve as a trusted advisor to C‑suite and senior leaders, including Chief Sustainability Officers, CHROs, and Communications leadership.

Develop and execute integrated purpose and sustainability strategies, including ESG communications, reporting, social impact programming, and employee engagement.

Provide expert counsel on complex and evolving issues such as climate, supply chain responsibility, and societal impact.

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of purpose-driven communicators, elevating capabilities, performance standards, and further developing Burson’s approach to Purpose.

Build and position the practice as a thought leader internally and externally, contributing to POVs, frameworks, and market visibility.

Partner across Corporate & Public Affairs, as well broader Burson and WPP teams to deliver integrated reputation‑driving solutions.

Experience that contributes to success:

15+ years of communications, public affairs, sustainability, or corporate purpose experience, with demonstrated leadership at the SVP level or above.

Deep, credible expertise in sustainability and ESG (beyond generalist communications experience), with the ability to counsel and sell into complex mandates.

Proven track record of growing and scaling a business, practice area and client portfolio.

Extensive experience advising senior clients in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments, including high‑profile or sensitive issues.

Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams, including managing senior specialists.

Strong commercial acumen with experience driving revenue growth and new business development.

Comfort working across both established and emerging sectors, with a pragmatic approach to sustainability and corporate responsibility.

Exceptional communication, presentation, and executive presence.

Demonstrated collaboration and problem‑solving skills in a group setting.

Hybrid of agency and in‑house experience preferred.

Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package; click here for more details: https://mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome .

The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range between:

$125,000 — $295,000 USD

Burson 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.

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