Head of Influence and Social EMEA

Burson Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global communications agency is seeking a senior leader for influencer strategy across EMEA. This role requires proven leadership in an agency setting and a deep understanding of influencer marketing. Responsibilities include driving growth, executing strategies, and managing key relationships. The ideal candidate will have a strong commercial mindset and exceptional strategic thinking skills. This position fosters a hybrid working environment and emphasizes professional development.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Mentorship programs

Inclusive company culture

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in a senior role within an agency or large enterprise environment.
• Deep expertise in influencer marketing strategy including cultural trends.
• Strong ability to build and nurture strategic relationships to unlock opportunities.
• Experience in developing and implementing training programs for large teams.
• Strong commercial mindset with a history of identifying business opportunities.
• Exceptional strategic thinking skills anticipating market shifts.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional growth in Influence and drive new business.
• Set and execute the annual influence strategy.
• Roll out and embed best practices and training materials.
• Strengthen teams through upskilling in trends and strategy.
• Integrate AI and tech platforms into influencer offerings.
• Manage relationships with key social platforms.
• Lead market intelligence and measurement innovation.

Skills

Proven leadership in influence or marketing

Expertise in influencer marketing strategy

Ability to build relationships

Experience in training programs

Commercial mindset

Strategic thinking skills

Job description

Burson 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.

You’ll be the regional point leader for influencer strategy across EMEA, shaping our go-to-market influencer offer, advising senior clients, shaping integrated pitches, and overseeing delivery and adoption across multiple markets. You’ll work within a multi-disciplinary team (social media, creative, strategy, data and intelligence), the EMEA Transformation Team, and put in place the operating model, tool-set and measurement framework that enables markets in the region to deliver client work disruptively, consistently, compliantly and at scale.

The Head of Influence and Social, EMEA will be responsible for driving Burson's influence offering across the EMEA region, focusing on growth, operational excellence, and strategic transformation. This will be achieved through three core pillars: Grow, Enable, Transform.

What you’ll do:

• Lead regional growth in Influence, driving high-priority new business, organic growth, and development of best-in-class influencer-first creative work across EMEA.
• Set and execute the annual EMEA influence strategy, elevating Burson’s market position through thought leadership, standout credentials, and compelling marketing assets.
• Roll out and embed Cultural Flow, ensuring markets adopt consistent best practice, receive fresh materials, and engage in continuous training and capability building.
• Strengthen teams through upskilling, delivering training in cultural trends, influencer strategy, AI, and platform developments, and establishing feedback loops to accelerate regional learning.
• Integrate and optimise AI and tech platforms, including WPP Open, CreatorIQ, and other tools, shaping the evolution of Burson’s influencer offering.
• Build and manage strategic relationships with key social & influencer platforms (e.g., TikTok, Meta) to ensure Burson remains ahead of market developments and emerging opportunities.
• Partner across sectors and global teams to align on global standards, develop tailored influencer offerings, and contribute to Burson’s global “Future of Social & Influence” strategy.
• Lead market intelligence and measurement innovation, scanning trends, identifying whitespace, ensuring compliance, and shaping a modernised influencer measurement approach with data teams.

Experience that contributes to success:

• Proven leadership in a senior influence or marketing role within a global or EMEA-focused agency or large enterprise environment, demonstrating a track record of driving significant growth and innovation.
• Deep expertise in influencer marketing strategy and execution, including a strong understanding of cultural trends, platform dynamics (e.g., TikTok, Meta), and regulatory compliance in the EMEA region.
• Demonstrated ability to build and nurture strategic relationships with key platforms, internal stakeholders and clients to unlock new business opportunities and foster cross-collaboration.
• Experience in developing and implementing comprehensive training programs and best practices for large, geographically dispersed teams, with a focus on upskilling in emerging technologies like AI and advanced data and performance approaches.
• A strong commercial mindset with a history of identifying and converting high-priority business opportunities, coupled with the ability to articulate value and drive adoption of new offerings.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to anticipate market shifts, identify whitespace opportunities, and lead transformational initiatives in a fast-paced, evolving industry.

#LI-NE1

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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