PR Account Director - Sports

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. Burson is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company. Learn more at www.bursonglobal.com .

Account Director/Senior Consultant (Bi-Lingual English + Arabic a preference)

Sport & Entertainment
Based in UAE / Riyadh

ROLE:

An amazing and game changing opportunity to work in one of the most exciting and fast-growing sports markets on the globe for the world’s largest communications agency.

Currently our international work from the region across global sport sees us manage an unrivalled portfolio of high-profile federations, prestigious international events and stakeholders with global ambitions. These include retainers and projects across football, tennis, golf, electric sports, MMA, esports, gaming and many more. We are looking for exceptional and talented ‘all round’ senior marketing communication professional, who is bi-lingual, to join our growing practice in the accounts team working alongside our creative and innovation hub.

At this level, you have the experience and autonomy to independently lead projects, planning and delivering newsrooms with knowledge and experience across the mix; from PR, strategic consultants, and content + publishing production to design and data and devising publishing channel strategies (traditional and social; earned, owned, shared and paid).

The role requires excellent written and communication skills and first class media and influencer relations. The successful candidate will need to bring fresh ideas, creative thinking, energy and a strategic mindset to developing and producing high quality, tailored news and content.

Senior members of the sports team at Burson are active leaders of projects, trusted consultants to our clients as well as developing partnerships with government authorities, sports, event companies and organizing bodies. Our directors and managers are passionate and proactive about storytelling, developing knowledge and championing Burson standards.

The role requires mobility and flexibility to travel with the successful candidate advising clients on strategy, campaign, running live events planning, managing teams and working alongside marketing functions.

You will also be able to identify new opportunities and play a proactive role in terms of proposal development. The candidate will be able to demonstrate a clear ability to line manage, lead juniors and teams within projects.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in the Sports / Sports marketing industry, with a proven track record of success in leading major clients & events.
• Strong understanding of the Middle East Sports & Entertainment, including key trends, challenges, and opportunities.
• Strong business development skills, with a proven ability to identify and close new business.
• Excellent client relationship management skills, with experience building and maintaining relationships at the C-suite level.
• Proven leadership and team management skills with the ability to motivate and inspire.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English & Arabic is essential.

At Burson, diversity, equity and inclusion are not just values; they are strategic imperatives that fuel our future in an industry built on the art of understanding, connecting and developing relationships. We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue and cultivating meaningful experiences that drive innovation and creativity. It also enables our agency to thrive and deliver brilliant work.