Resource Manager

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.

Burson’s MENA operations stand as one of the largest and most respected communications agencies in the region, delivering impactful strategies rooted in craft, curiosity, counsel, and camaraderie. Burson MENA is a trusted partner for clients navigating complex communications and public affairs landscapes, shaping reputations, and driving business outcomes across diverse sectors. With offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and other key MENA markets, our team combines strategic expertise with AI-driven insights to craft compelling narratives that influence key decision-makers.

• End-to-End Resource Planning & Allocation:
  Manage resourcing across multiple markets and practices, ensuring optimal deployment of talent to meet client commitments, business priorities, and urgent project demands.
• Strategic Forecasting & Stakeholder Partnership:
  Partner closely with Practice Leads, Client Leads, and leadership to forecast needs, identify capacity constraints, and proactively solve staffing challenges.
• Real-Time Coordination & Utilization Management:
  Facilitate regular planning meetings across geographies and time zones, monitor utilization, and flag over- or under-allocation to maintain resource health.
• New Business & Growth Support:
  Provide resource assessments, capacity planning, and staffing input to support pitches, new client engagements, and large-scale opportunities.
• Systems Ownership & Visibility:
  Own and optimize resource planning tools, trackers, and processes to provide clear visibility into who is working on what, capacity availability, and emerging pressure points.
• Data, Reporting & Commercial Insight:
  Improve timesheet compliance and data hygiene; develop dashboards and reports that enable utilization tracking, commercial oversight, and leadership decision-making.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Operational Excellence:
  Act as a trusted partner to Client Services, Finance, and People teams, supporting profitability, talent planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• External Resource & Vendor Management:
  Manage freelancers and vendors as needed, coordinating scoping, contracting, booking, and compliance in line with project needs and budget parameters.

• Resource & Operations Expertise:
  Proven experience in resource management, operations, or project coordination within fast-paced, complex environments (agency, PR, professional services, or similar).
• Strategic Resource Planning:
  Strong ability to manage competing priorities, balance supply and demand, anticipate challenges, and think several steps ahead.
• Tools, Commercial & Change Acumen:
  Strong proficiency in Excel, resource planning and project management tools; solid commercial understanding (profitability, utilisation); experience driving change and adoption of new processes.
• Influential Communicator:
  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence without authority, build trust quickly, and navigate diverse stakeholders diplomatically.
• Structured & Detail-Driven:
  Highly organised and detail-oriented, capable of creating structure, processes, and clarity in ambiguous or evolving situations.
• Proactive Problem Solver:
  Solutions-focused mindset, comfortable addressing challenges in real time and driving practical outcomes.
• People-Centric Approach:
  Genuinely supportive and empathetic, with a strong focus on enabling colleagues’ success and understanding the human side of resource management.
• Global & Cultural Agility:
  Experience working across multiple geographies or matrixed organisations, with cultural sensitivity across MENAT markets; fluent in English, with Arabic a strong advantage.