Account Director, Public Affairs

Who we are:

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. For more information, visit WPP.com  

For more information visit  bursonglobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and  Instagram .

More About the Role

Burson is looking for an Account Director based in Ottawa to lead client work across public affairs, with a strong focus on stakeholder engagement, government relations, and advocacy strategy.

This replacement role is ideal for someone who understands how decisions are made in Ottawa, is comfortable engaging with senior government stakeholders, and can translate complex policy and regulatory issues into clear, strategic recommendations. You will work closely with senior leadership and support clients across sectors such as healthcare, technology, financial services, energy, and infrastructure.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the development and execution of public affairs and government relations strategies
• Provide strategic counsel to clients on stakeholder engagement, advocacy initiatives, government relations, and complex policy issues
• Oversee the development of high-quality materials, including briefing notes, position papers, presentations, stakeholder materials, and executive briefing documents
• Monitor and analyze federal political, legislative, and regulatory developments, translating insights into actionable recommendations for clients
• Lead and support engagement with federal stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, and industry associations
• Support lobbying-related activities and ensure alignment with applicable federal requirements
• Build and maintain stakeholder engagement strategies and outreach plans
• Lead client meetings, consultations, and government engagement initiatives
• Collaborate across internal teams to deliver integrated client programs
• Contribute to business development efforts, including networking, proposals, and new business opportunities
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to a collaborative and high-performing team environment

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• 8–10 years of experience in public affairs, government relations, political environments, or advocacy-focused roles
• Strong understanding of the federal government ecosystem, including parliamentary processes and decision-making structures
• Demonstrated experience advising clients on public affairs strategy, stakeholder positioning, and government engagement
• Experience engaging with government stakeholders and supporting lobbying-related activities
• Excellent writing, research, analytical, and presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, client relationships, and complex projects in a fast-paced environment
• Experience mentoring or managing junior team members
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Bilingualism (English/French) is a strong asset
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with strong attention to detail

#LI-YA1

You belong at Burson:

Our vision is for Burson to be the leading ‘academy company’ for creative communications professionals and emerging leaders. We provide a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues come to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and ultimately, produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands. Our commitment to your growth is reflected in our robust benefits and people programs, which include professional development opportunities, mentorship programs with industry leaders, a vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation and packages designed to reward and retain top talent. We invest in our people because we believe their success is our success.

At Burson, we’re an agency of learn-it-alls. We recognize that the things we do best, creativity and communications, require a level of nuanced understanding. That’s why it’s imperative for us to hire extraordinarily talented people of all backgrounds and identities. Without that we can’t do the essential work of inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue, cultivating meaningful experiences, and driving innovation and creativity for our partners. Your unique point of view—your talent—is what makes you a #BursonPerson, and it’s how we deliver exceptional results for our clients, together.

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.

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