Account Director, Corporate & Public Affairs (Health Policy)

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

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More about the role:

Burson is seeking an Account Director, Corporate & Public Affairs to be based in Washington, DC.

This role will serve as a policy and regulatory affairs counselor within Burson's Corporate & Public Affairs practice, with a primary focus on healthcare policy and regulatory issues. The Account Director will provide strategic counsel to clients navigating complex legislative, regulatory, and reputational environments, translating policy developments into integrated communications and stakeholder engagement strategies.

Healthcare policy expertise is critical for this role. The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of how health policy is developed and influenced across Congress, federal agencies, trade associations, think tanks, patient advocacy organizations, media, and other key stakeholders within the broader Washington policy ecosystem.

While healthcare will be the primary focus, the role will also support clients and opportunities across a range of policy-driven sectors including energy, infrastructure, sustainability, trade, and other highly regulated industries.

This is a highly client-facing position requiring both policy fluency and exceptional communications skills. The ideal candidate can connect policy developments to business outcomes, translate complex issues into compelling narratives, and help clients proactively engage in policy conversations that shape markets, industries, and reputation.

This is an opportunity to become immersed in multifaceted public affairs campaigns while playing a leading role in policy communications, stakeholder engagement, account growth, and business development.

What you'll do:

• Serve as a health policy subject matter expert across a diverse portfolio of clients and new business opportunities.
• Monitor and analyze legislative, regulatory, and policy developments, identifying risks, opportunities, and implications for clients.
• Develop integrated communications strategies that align policy priorities, stakeholder engagement, reputation objectives, and business goals.
• Translate complex healthcare and public policy issues into clear, actionable recommendations for clients and stakeholders.
• Advise clients on policy-driven initiatives, advocacy efforts, stakeholder engagement programs, thought leadership, and executive visibility strategies.
• Map and engage key policy stakeholders, including policymakers, trade associations, patient organizations, think tanks, third-party experts, and influential media.
• Provide strategic communications support during policy-related issues, regulatory challenges, and reputation management situations.
• Help clients move from reactive monitoring to proactive policy engagement by identifying emerging issues and opportunities before they become business challenges.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Burson's Corporate & Public Affairs, Health, Crisis, and Corporate Reputation teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Support business development efforts by identifying emerging policy issues, stakeholder opportunities, and new client solutions.
• Lead account teams, mentor junior practitioners, and build strong client relationships.
• Experience that contributes to success: 7-10+ years of experience in public affairs, policy communications, regulatory affairs, government relations, strategic communications, or a related field.
• Deep knowledge of healthcare policy, regulatory affairs, and legislative processes in the United States.
• Experience working on or around congressional committees, federal agencies, trade associations, think tanks, advocacy organizations, or within a communications agency is highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of the Washington, DC policy ecosystem and the stakeholders that influence policy development and implementation.
• Ability to connect policy developments to business, reputational, and communications implications for clients.
• Demonstrated experience developing integrated communications strategies tied to policy, regulatory, legislative, or advocacy objectives.
• Experience supporting stakeholder engagement, advocacy campaigns, thought leadership initiatives, public education efforts, and executive visibility programs.
• Strong writing, client counseling, and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to explain complex policy issues to diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with policy areas beyond healthcare, including energy, infrastructure, sustainability, trade, or other regulated sectors, is a plus.