Account Director, Health 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  

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More about the role:

Hill & Knowlton, a Burson Company, Canada’s leading strategic communications and public affairs consultancy, is looking for a passionate and high-performing health-focused Senior Consultant to join our growing Public Affairs team in Toronto.

This new role will allow you to work with some of the most important global and Canadian companies and non-profits in the health space, while also providing opportunities to work with a broad portfolio of clients across a range of other sectors, including technology, finance, transportation and energy. As a global agency offering a full spectrum of public affairs and communications expertise, as part of our team you will also be exposed to – and may get to work on – diverse other services and specialties, on projects in Canada and beyond. We are looking for not only incredible talent but also great attitude, energy and passion for H&K and our clients.

The position will be responsible for providing strategic government relations and advocacy counsel for a diverse portfolio of health clients, ensuring that client satisfaction is maintained at the highest level. You will apply strategic thinking and oversight to client programs, deploy the firm’s resources to achieve client objectives, monitor client projects on a day-to-day basis, and work as part of a team, supporting and networking with your peer group.

What you'll do:

Account Directors are leaders who love a challenge. You will be responsible for designing and executing public affairs programs on behalf of our clients, leading collaborative account teams while managing budgets to ensure both profitability and accountability. You will employ strategic thinking, strong interpersonal skills, and health and public affairs knowledge in all you do. More specifically, you will be:

• Creating and executing comprehensive stakeholder engagement, advocacy, communications, and government relations plans that support our health-focused clients’ business objectives
• Exercising creativity and problem-solving to devise innovative strategies to address complex client issues or public affairs challenges
• Leveraging existing relationships with an established network of health system stakeholders and government officials, developing additional contacts where needed to allow for expert analysis and insights into current policy priorities and political issues
• Crafting compelling, engaging, and well-informed messages and advocacy materials, including briefing notes, backgrounders, fact sheets, position papers, submissions, presentations, and responses to requests for proposals
• Counselling clients on government relations responses and messaging related to crises and issue developments
• Working in an integrated way with Sector Leads, Specialty Experts, and other leaders across the business to provide integrated support and service
• Providing mentorship and leadership to colleagues on account teams
• Measuring and reviewing the success of H&K programs for clients against stated goals
• Managing profitability of accounts and/or performance and utilization of account team

Experience that contributes to success:

• Minimum 7 to 10 years’  experience in a public affairs, communications, government, or political role
• Post-secondary degree in political science, public policy, communications, or similar program
• Demonstrated understanding of the provincial political environment and public policy process, as well as Canada’s health landscape and Ontario’s health system
• Established network of health stakeholder and government relationships
• Subject matter depth with strong working knowledge of the health sector, including policy, trends, and relevant stakeholders is preferred
• Proven ability to provide thoughtful insights and strategic recommendations based on a broad understanding based on the political and policy landscapes to achieve clients’ objectives with government stakeholders
• Outstanding verbal and written communications and presentation skills
• Client service mindset with the ability to establish, grow and maintain strong relationships with client contacts; ability to function as a trusted resource and counselor
• Strong project and budget management skills, ability to delegate and prioritize
• Entrepreneurial spirit motivated and able to identify and secure new business opportunities
• A collaborative approach to working with a high-performing team
• Agency experience is a considerable asset
• Experience in managing multiple client programs and budgets and leading account teams is an asset

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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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