Account Manager

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 Title: Account Manager
Practice: Client Services
Reporting to: Account Director
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

ABOUT BURSON
Burson Africa is headquartered in Johannesburg. We are a passionate team of communicators and strategists dedicated to delivering exceptional communications and public affairs strategies.

Guided by our core values of craft, curiosity, counsel, and camaraderie, we tackle complex policy challenges to shape reputations and drive business outcomes across diverse sectors.

Our client-centric approach empowers us to act as an extension of our clients' teams, achieving their goals with excellence.

We combine strategic expertise with AI-driven insights to uncover opportunities and craft compelling narratives that influence decision-makers.

Embracing innovation and calculated risk-taking, we leverage our global network to provide data-driven solutions that connect with audiences. Joining Burson Africa means entering a vibrant community where collaboration and growth thrive.

THE ROLE
As an Account Manager, you will play a pivotal role in managing client relationships, implementing communication strategies, and ensuring the seamless execution of campaigns.

Reporting to the Account Directors, you will act as a trusted partner to clients, demonstrating strong project management skills, fostering excellent client and team relationships, and mentoring junior colleagues. This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, creativity, and commercial acumen.

You will contribute to the development of integrated communication plans, oversee day-to-day account activities, and ensure that all deliverables meet the highest standards.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

1. Client Leadership & Strategic Implementation
   Build and maintain trusted relationships with mid-level clients, acting as their primary point of contact and advisor. Understand your client's world—their industry, organisation, position, needs, goals, and challenges—and proactively provide solutions. Regularly refer to client PR Plans to ensure a comprehensive understanding of their business, communication challenges, and the creative strategies required to achieve objectives. Lead the preparation for client meetings, including setting agendas, distributing materials in advance, and driving discussions. Contribute to the development and implementation of communication strategies that align with client objectives. Write compelling project proposals, campaign plans, press releases, case studies, articles, thought leadership pieces, and reports, ensuring clarity and alignment with client expectations. Create innovative content ideas and storytelling opportunities that resonate with clients and their audiences. Use data-driven insights to inform strategies, identify trends, and uncover opportunities for clients. Present ideas and recommendations convincingly to clients and internal stakeholders.
2. Media Management & Engagement
   Proactively manage on- and offline media to ensure coverage opportunities are capitalised upon and results are presented back to the client. Build and maintain strong relationships with key journalists representing client market sectors to maximise opportunities for client coverage. Monitor media coverage, industry trends, and competitor activity to provide actionable insights to clients. Demonstrate a strong understanding of the digital media landscape and utilise digital media tools to enhance client service and media engagement.
3. Project Management & Execution
   Oversee multiple client projects, ensuring timely delivery, high-quality outputs, and adherence to budgets. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including intelligence analysts and strategists, to integrate data insights into broader campaigns. Manage daily account operations, including timelines, workflows, and resource allocation. Deliver timely, quality-driven client reporting and ensure consistent information sharing.
4. Commercial Acumen & Business Growth
   Support new business initiatives by identifying leads, contributing to pitches, and assisting with proposal development. Manage client budgets, revenue forecasting, invoicing, and estimations, ensuring profitability and operational efficiency. Demonstrate a strong understanding of Burson's services and offerings, leveraging them to grow existing accounts. Actively expand your professional network, introducing potential new business opportunities to the agency. Mentor and support junior team members, providing constructive feedback and guidance to aid their professional growth. Foster a positive team culture by sharing best practices, celebrating successes, and promoting collaboration. Act as a role model for Burson's values, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), both internally and externally. Participate in learning and development opportunities, championing continuous improvement for yourself and your team.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Skills & Experience
Proven experience in account management within the public relations, communications, or marketing industry. Strong track record of managing and delivering integrated campaigns across corporate, business-to-business, and stakeholder audiences. Excellent understanding of the media landscape, including traditional, digital, and social media platforms, with the ability to leverage these channels for effective client engagement and coverage opportunities. Proficiency in writing clear, engaging, and professional content in English, including press releases, case studies, articles, thought leadership pieces, and client reports. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with editors, journalists, and other media representatives across all channels. Commercially savvy, with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and identifying growth opportunities within accounts. Proactive approach to problem-solving, decision-making, and delivering results under pressure. Strong organisational and project management skills, including the ability to oversee timelines, workflows, and resource allocation to ensure high-quality outputs and timely delivery. Demonstrated leadership abilities, including mentoring junior colleagues, fostering collaboration, and contributing to a positive and inclusive team culture. Comprehensive knowledge of current affairs, client industries, market sectors, and emerging trends, enabling strategic insights and informed recommendations. Commitment to continuous learning and development, staying updated on industry advancements and best practices to enhance performance and client service.

Education & Qualifications
Relevant industry qualifications. University degree (or equivalent experience) in public relations, communications, marketing, or a related field.

DE&I
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.