Director, Media Strategy at Highwire

San Francisco, California, United StatesFull-timeStrategic Communications Posted 22 days ago

About the Role

As Director, Media Strategy, you will serve as a senior media strategist and client advisor across Highwire's portfolio of clients in a variety of industries including technology, healthcare, energy, financial services, professional services, and cybersecurity, with a primary focus on developing and executing C-suite thought leadership platforms that drive awareness and impact. You will own the development of executive visibility strategies that span high-stakes financial communications, corporate milestones, and evergreen thought leadership that sustains CEO and C-suite presence in top-tier media across all mediums. You bring deep fluency in both B2B and B2C  media landscape and storytelling, with a sharp instinct for how emerging media outlets, formats, and platforms are reshaping how enterprises tell their stories. You are a voracious consumer of media, news, and culture, you have journalists and producers on speed dial. You lead by doing, and you actively invest in building learning and development programs to enhance media strategies and pitching outcomes across the broader agency. <h2>Key Responsibilities</h2> C-Suite and SME Thought Leadership & Executive Visibility <ul> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Serve as the day-to-day strategic lead for C-suite thought leadership programs at major technology and healthcare companies, including enterprise software, AI, cloud, data infrastructure, cybersecurity, health technology, and life sciences brands.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Develop and execute executive visibility strategies that establish C-suite leaders as authoritative voices across technology, healthcare, and the intersection of both.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Build and manage evergreen thought leadership platforms that sustain executive presence between major news moments.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Provide strategic counsel to senior clients on message development, media positioning, and storytelling across earned and owned channels.</li> </ul> Financial Communications & High-Stakes Media Programs <ul> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lead media strategy for high-profile financial communications events, including earnings calls, IPO media programs, and corporate milestone campaigns.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Develop proactive media narratives that support positioning before, during, and after financial events, including briefing top-tier financial and business press.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists and editors at top-tier financial, business and consumer media.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Guide clients through sensitive or high-stakes communications moments, providing best-in-class media counsel on reputation, crisis, and leadership transition scenarios across sectors.</li> </ul> B2B & B2C Technology, Healthcare & Emerging Media <ul> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Maintain deep, current knowledge of the B2B & B2C technology and business and consumer healthcare media landscapes; including emerging outlets and “new media” that are reshaping how enterprise technology and the future of healthcare stories are told.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Identify and pursue emerging media opportunities that position clients ahead of industry conversations, leveraging trend-based pitching and proactive storytelling.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Monitor media trends, competitive coverage, and industry narratives to provide clients with proactive,data- and intelligence-driven strategic guidance.</li> </ul> Agency-Wide Upskilling & Media Excellence <ul> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Design and lead agency-wide training programs that elevate media relations skills across Highwire's full roster of account teams.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Serve as an internal resource and advisor for account teams looking to strengthen storytelling angles, pitch strategies, media targeting, and executive visibility planning.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Partner with practice leads and senior leadership to identify skill gaps across the agency and build structured learning pathways that address them.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Champion a culture of media excellence agency-wide, raising the bar on the quality, creativity, and strategic rigor of earned media programs across all client verticals.</li> </ul> Integrated Media Strategy & Client Leadership <ul> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Serve as a senior client lead across a portfolio of major technology and healthcare accounts, ensuring consistent high-quality program delivery and measurable business results.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Provide senior counsel on messaging, positioning, and media engagement strategies aligned to clients' broader communications and business objectives.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Identify and act on organic growth opportunities within existing client accounts.</li> </ul> Team Development & Agency Leadership <ul> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Manage and mentor 2–3 direct reports, providing regular feedback, coaching, and professional development guidance.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment with high standards of accountability, creativity, and client service.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Support new business initiatives, from research and ideation through pitch presentation, with a specific focus on media strategy.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Champion Highwire's culture of inclusion, empowerment, and collaboration.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Represent Highwire at industry events, conferences, and media networking opportunities.</li> </ul> <h2>Success Factors</h2> <ul> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7+ years of media relations experience with at least 4 years within a PR agency, with demonstrated expertise in business, technology, financial, and healthcare media.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Proven experience developing and executing C-suite thought leadership programs for major technology, financial and/or healthcare companies, with a track record of securing placements in top-tier business, technology, and health media.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Direct experience with financial communications — including earnings media programs, IPO communications, or related high-stakes corporate milestones — is required.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Deep fluency in the B2B and B2C technology and healthcare media landscapes with a strong understanding of how emerging media outlets and formats are reshaping storytelling.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Established relationships with reporters, editors, and producers at leading national print/digital and broadcast, and trade media outlets .</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver training, workshops, or internal capability-building programs that elevate team performance at scale.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Strong strategic leadership and senior client management experience, with the ability to serve as a trusted advisor at the executive level.</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Experience managing and developing high-performing teams in a fast-paced environment.</li> </ul>   The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $150,000, with the final offer based on a combination of factors, including education, relevant experience, skills, prior training, internal equity, and local geographic market data. This role also includes a competitive benefits package with medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) matching, generous paid time off, and additional perks designed to support your overall well-being and growth. #LI-Hybrid<div class="content-conclusion">About Highwire Highwire is a strategic marketing communications agency at the intersection of innovation and industry. We partner with ambitious companies and established brands to navigate complexity, lead markets, and grow with purpose. With integrated expertise in strategic marketing and communications, corporate reputation, creative, and insights, we cut through the noise to deliver bold ideas and measurable impact across B2B technology, healthcare, cybersecurity, energy, professional and financial services, and more. At Highwire, we believe that storytelling fuels transformation. We know that the most impactful stories represent all voices and perspectives. As a values-driven agency, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone—regardless of age, race/ethnicity, size, shape, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and different abilities–can feel safe, celebrated and worthy. We ensure that every Highwire Walker has the requisite support to soar in their careers. Our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging is foundational and embedded in our business and culture. We aspire to change our industry and build a better future for all. Our people-first culture is driven by four core values: <ul> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Team Empowerment</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Growth Mindset</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Inclusion Always</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Fierce Distinction</li> </ul> We’re looking for individuals with big ideas, strong opinions, and the energy to bring them to life. If you thrive in an environment that values personal accountability, high standards, and boundless motivation, this is the opportunity for you. Be part of our award-winning culture and contribute to an exciting and growing business where you can make a real impact. Highwire. Above all. <hr> Our people-first culture is reflected in the meaningful benefits, flexibility, and support we offer: <ul> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Competitive salary with merit-based opportunities for growth</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Flexible hybrid work model tailored to your schedule and lifestyle</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Generous vacation policy, including extended summer and winter breaks</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Early log-off on Fridays through our Empower Hours program</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">401(k) plan with employer matching</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus FSA options</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Paid parental leave benefits</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Commuter benefits</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Annual Growth Mindset stipend for books, events, or learning experiences</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Monthly technology reimbursement</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wellness benefit program for mental and physical health</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">501c3 donation matching program</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Mentorship and ongoing professional development opportunities</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Monthly recognition and team celebrations</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Employee referral and new business referral bonuses</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Quarterly Highwire events and team gatherings</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dog-friendly office environment</li> <li style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">A supportive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace where you can grow and do your best work</li> </ul> <hr> Location & Work Environment Highwire offers both remote and hybrid work options, depending on where you live. Hybrid: Candidates located within commuting distance of our New York, NY or San Francisco, CA offices follow a hybrid schedule, with three in-office days per week. Remote: We hire for fully remote roles in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, D.C.. Please note: We are only able to consider candidates who reside in one of the locations listed above at the time of hire. <hr> Join the Highwire team If you’re inspired by the opportunity to shape meaningful stories and grow alongside a team that values innovation, accountability, and inclusion, apply below to start the conversation. Please note: This posting may be used to build our talent pipeline, connect with top professionals in the industry, or extend reach across multiple locations. We welcome all interested candidates to apply and explore opportunities at Highwire!</div>

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