Job Description
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: The Senior Vice President (SVP), Health & Wellness (H&W), Influencer and Social, is a transformational leadership role responsible for building, scaling and leading a dedicated H&W influencer practice within our best-in-class H&W team. This individual will serve as the agency’s foremost expert in the healthcare/pharmaceutical influencer, social media, and integrated marketing/communications spaces. As part of this role, this individual will work with senior H&W leadership to architect the team, set a vision for H&W influencer/social within the context of Burson’s company influencer POV/offering, lead day-to-day business, and drive organic and new business growth opportunities. The H&W team at Burson is one of the largest and most innovative groups in the space. We have pushed the limits of traditional healthcare communications with a complete 360-degree integrated offering – social, digital, data, brands, celebrity, influencer, science, corporate, consumer and paid media. We are looking for a visionary who wants to challenge both themselves and the status quo, and who is ready to build something special. What you'll do: Expertise Building and Team Leadership Reimagine the vision, capabilities, and operational framework for the influencer practice, refining and optimizing existing scalable processes for influencer identification, vetting, contracting, management and performance measurement, specifically as it relates to the pharmaceutical and healthcare space. Build on existing H&W influencer work to further enhance our best-in-class H&W influencer agency team, including hiring, onboarding and mentoring talent at all levels. Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture that attracts and retains top talent. Input into and work closely with Burson and WPP leadership to ensure cross-industry alignment on company-wide influencer approach. Influencer Strategy & Execution Champion the end-to-end strategy, development, and execution of branded, unbranded and corporate influencer marketing programs for pharmaceutical, biotech, and H&W clients. Oversee influencer identification and selection across all tiers (celebrity, macro, micro, nano, KOL/HCP), with deep attention to audience alignment, credibility, and compliance requirements. Supervise teams developing influencer content briefs, negotiation frameworks, partnership agreements, and creative direction guidance, ensuring brand and regulatory alignment. Drive innovative, next-generation influencer approaches — including patient advocates, healthcare professionals, and community voices — that differentiate Burson's offer in the market. Senior Client Partnership Serve as the senior influencer marketing counsel for key pharmaceutical and health & wellness clients, building trusted, long-term relationships with senior-level stakeholders. Translate client business goals into integrated influencer strategies that deliver measurable outcomes. Lead client presentations, business reviews, and strategic planning sessions with confidence and authority. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management Maintain a comprehensive, current understanding of FDA and FTC regulations governing influencer marketing and social media in healthcare. Implement proactive compliance frameworks to protect clients and the agency, partnering with legal and medical/regulatory review teams. Stay ahead of evolving platform policies and healthcare marketing guidelines, serving as a lead subject matter expert. Integrated Collaboration Partner closely with internal teams — PR