Senior Account Executive, Consumer Brand- Sports

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:

We’re looking for a Senior Account Executive (SAE) to join Burson’s Sports and Entertainment sector within the Consumer & Brand Practice and support an iconic sports brand embedded in culture, lifestyle and entertainment. You’ll play a key role in delivering headline-driving earned media moments, earned influencer storytelling and high-impact activations for a brand that drives conversation in sports and culture.

The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-obsessed, and energized by translating cultural moments into smart PR strategies across a fast-paced account. You’ll collaborate across teams to execute campaigns, craft media narratives, support events, and build relationships with reporters, social editors, and earned influencers. This is a great opportunity for an agency-trained PR professional who thrives in a highly collaborative environment and is excited to grow within a high-profile, consumer-focused account.

This role can be based in either New York or Los Angeles.

What you'll do:

• Serve as a day-to-day point of contact, keeping work moving quickly and accurately while maintaining clear, proactive communication with internal and client teams.
• Manage press office responsibilities, including responding to inbound media requests, coordinating quick turn product needs .
• Draft and distribute press materials, including pitches, press releases, reporter bios, spokespeople briefing books and media briefs.
• Pitch stories to journalists and social editors, securing coverage that moves the needle across sports, culture, hype, fashion and consumer lifestyle verticals.
• Engage and activate earned/news influencers, collaborating on news-driven storytelling opportunities rooted in cultural relevance.
• Build and maintain curated media lists and strong relationships with reporters, social editors, and earned/news influencers.
• Expand PR approaches beyond traditional .com and broadcast, incorporating digital and social-first platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
• Develop and lead reporting and recapping (weekly and monthly) including monitoring media coverage and social conversation, translating insights into daily updates to clients and actionable recommendations.
• Support client communications through consistent content development, including drafting short-form copy and coordinating a weekly newsletter (including building and deploying in tools like Mailchimp).
• Support planning and execution of media and influencer events, handling logistics, vendor coordination, and on-the-ground needs.
• Provide in-office support for press requests, product seeding, and experiential builds.
• Join client meetings, capturing notes, action items, and next steps with precision.
• Stay tapped into sports, pop culture, creator trends, and emerging athletes to fuel fresh, future-facing ideas.

Collaborate closely with and guide junior team members, providing day-to-day coaching and quality control to keep the team operating smoothly in a fast-paced environment.

Experience that contributes to success:

• 2–3 years of relevant PR experience, with some agency experience required, and a strong foundation in fundamental PR skills (media list building, media landscape tracking, writing press releases and pitches).
• Strong consumer background and experience supporting consumer campaigns across sports, entertainment or lifestyle brands targeting Gen Z and diverse communities and consumers (preferred experience working on communications for a Fortune 100 with a strong consumer focus and/or sports brand).
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience supporting successful media relations—responding to inbound media requests, pitching, and building/maintaining relationships with consumer, entertainment, lifestyle, and/or sports media.
• Strong writing, editing, and research skills with attention to detail.
• Comfort with account operations, including coordination of product-related requests (mailers/shipping support as needed), and supporting press office-style activity.
• Familiarity with working with celebrities or athletes.
• Familiarity with social platforms and how they intersect with media coverage.
• Experience supporting events and/or on-the-ground activations (planning, logistics, staffing, and post-event recaps).
• Interest in sports and culture; sports PR experience is a plus but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate closely with teammates, contribute proactively, and support junior team members with guidance and day-to-day coaching.
• Have a self-starting, entrepreneurial approach to work, and embrace a Growth Mindset.
• Awareness and point-of-view regarding cultural consumer trends and activities of competitors.
• Be a team player that actively participates in our culture of kindness, believes in personal leadership, and embraces situational and transformative leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; and experience with tools such as Cision, MuckRack, Brandwatch and Google Workspace is a plus.
• Previous agency experience required.
• Willingness to travel and work outside standard business hours for event support.

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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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:

$40,000—$85,000 USDYou 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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