Vice President, Social Strategy

More about the role

The Social team develops culture-driven, integrated strategies that help Burson's clients connect with audiences in relevant, modern ways across platforms. The team is focused on translating brand objectives into social-first thinking that is informed by culture, grounded in data, and designed to create meaningful engagement and business impact.

We are looking for a VP Social Strategist to join our Consumer & Brand Practice and help shape the next evolution of social capability for a growing roster of culturally relevant brands. You will be embedded within the Consumer team, with strong partnership across social, influencer, creative, strategy and account leadership.

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

What you'll do:

• Leading the development of social-first strategic thinking for consumer brands, ensuring programs are rooted in culture, audience behavior and platform dynamics.

• Working in collaboration with account, creative, influencer and digital teams to build integrated plans that connect earned, social, and creator cultural relevance.

• Partnering with client teams to identify opportunities for social-led growth across existing and emerging business, with a focus on work that can flex across multiple accounts and sectors.

• Consistently bringing new/fresh/bold strategies that move beyond content calendars to brand voice and relevance, with equal comfort shaping the strategic foundation and guiding execution through to launch and optimization.

• Passion for and understanding of social culture, emerging platforms, audience behavior and digital communities, and how they can be leveraged as part of our clients' strategies.

• Push boundaries and never accept the status quo when it comes to social programs, brand campaigns or integrated marketing initiatives, while helping evolve Burson's social capabilities within the U.S. & Americas.

• Existing knowledge of the social, digital and creator ecosystem, with the ability to identify the right partners, collaborators and platforms to support business goals.

• An understanding of how to plan, develop and measure social strategies throughout the full process, with a solid grasp of audience insights, content ecosystems, community engagement, trend analysis, paid amplification and performance measurement.

• Managing client relationships, alongside our client leads, and being a trusted partner to them when it comes to social strategy, audience engagement and platform evolution.

• Proactively identify new tools, trends and opportunities in the social, influencer and digital spaces.

• Accurately develop and manage scopes, workflows and strategic inputs aligned to broader team and client needs.

• Driving consistency in the way social KPIs, learning agendas and measurement approaches are applied and continuously improved.

• Acting as an agency champion and ambassador, helping attract and develop modern, hybrid talent through interviews, onboarding, mentorship and team collaboration.

Experience that contributes to success:

• 10+ years of experience in social, digital, integrated strategy or related communications disciplines; agency experience is ideal
• A portfolio of case studies you've led within the Consumer & Brand space that demonstrate culturally relevant, insight-led social thinking for major brands.

• Deep expertise in social strategy, including platform roles, audience behavior, cultural trends, content ecosystems and integrated planning

• Experience developing work that connects social, earned, influencer and broader brand communications

• Ability to assess a client's overall marketing mix and identify where social strategy can drive stronger business and brand outcomes

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills along with strong attention to detail

• Desire to work in a diverse and inclusive organization as an active participant in culture initiatives, training opportunities and employee resource groups

• Curious, creative and proactive

• Team player and collaborator

• A clear communicator

• Strong project management skills

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines

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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