Associate Director – Sports (Consultant)

Burson is looking for an Associate Director for our Mumbai Office. The individual will join our client servicing team and work with the Brands, Sports and Entertainment Practice.   

As an Associate Director you are expected to manage a portfolio of clients, work on new business development and support the senior management to manage and develop strong teams. You are expected to support our corporate strategy and your practice or office to help ensure superior client service, a winning culture and profitability.  

CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

Client Service: 

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the clients’ business and industry, stay current on news, trends and issues and take an active interest in the client’s business to pre-empt issues and provide strategic counsel 

• Act as a client leader and maintain a clear and consistent communication channel between the client and the account team and resolve misunderstandings if they occur 

• Manage quality implementation for the client portfolio within budget and timelines 

• Support senior management on crisis management issues if required 

• Be a seasoned writer and able to write for senior management level audiences 

• Conduct formal presentations in a variety of settings and able to persuade and influence decision makers within client and prospective client companies 

• Build relationships with media members and influencers who are key to your clients’ industries and businesses.   

• Stay current on social media channels, trends and analytical tools and oversee development of creative media strategies and stories of interest to media and influencers to drive coverage 

• Incorporate digital and social strategies into IC programs to support client objectives and work with digital innovations group to develop and execute digital strategies  

Business Development: 

• Work with senior leaders to identify opportunities to grow existing accounts  

• Use social media to constantly watch for and track opportunities that could lead to new business.  

• Participate in new business brainstorms and take ownership of portions of new business proposals under the guidance of senior management 

Talent Management: 

• Coach, mentor and delegate responsibilities to junior staff helping them identify their areas of development and consistently serve as a positive role model fostering teamwork 

• Create an inclusive and welcoming environment that engages all individuals without bias and demonstrate flexibility in a changing work environment 

• Provide continuous constructive feedback- not just during performance reviews- and keep immediate superiors briefed on team member performance ensuring recognition of good performance and resolution of concerns in a timely manner  

• Provide on the job training to team members on account management to develop team’s expertise on client business and conduct formal training sessions when required 

• Guide and inspire junior staff to develop media contacts and strategies.   

Financial Management: 

• Know and meet your billability target, track and record time in Maconomy in a timely manner 

• Manage account administration duties such as billing and financial reporting  

• Ensure all activities carried out for clients are properly documented and budget and status reports are submitted 

• Work with senior leaders to manage your team and allocate resources for agency profitability  

• Follow agency procedures on client budgets, budget tracking, contract approval and billing rates. 

Education – Graduation in Public Relations or Communication 

Experience – Around 10 years of work experience in public relations or the communications industry. Should have a minimum of 5 years’ experience of working on Sports clients with a good understanding of the Sports sector. 

Interested candidates may apply directly by writing to Namrata Dey [email protected]