Account Director, Public Relations (Business of Health)

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.

About the role

Associate Directors on Highwire's Health team lead integrated communications programs for organizations shaping the Business of Health. They bring strong experience across the healthcare business landscape — including managed care and benefits, care delivery and talent, value-based care and care management, hospitals and health systems, and mental health and wellness — helping clients translate complex healthcare business, operational, and industry topics into compelling narratives that resonate with business, healthcare, clinical, and consumer audiences.

In this role, Associate Directors oversee multiple account teams, guiding strategy and execution across media relations and integrated communications programs. They serve as trusted advisors to clients, ensuring programs are strategic, results-driven, and aligned with business and brand objectives. Associate Directors also play an important leadership role within the agency — mentoring team members, contributing to new business development, and helping Highwire deliver impactful communications programs for organizations influencing how healthcare is financed, delivered, managed, and experienced.

Responsibilities

• Lead Business of Health clients across sectors including managed care and benefits, care delivery and talent, value-based care and care management, hospitals and health systems, and mental health and wellness.
• Develop integrated communications strategies that build brand credibility, visibility, and measurable business impact.
• Provide strategic counsel on messaging, positioning, industry trends, competitive dynamics, and media engagement strategies.
• Translate complex healthcare business, operational, and industry topics into compelling, accessible narratives for business, healthcare, clinical, and consumer audiences.
• Serve as a senior client contact, ensuring programs are delivered on time and exceed expectations.
• Identify opportunities to expand client programs and deepen partnerships.
• Partner with clients on executive visibility, thought leadership, and storytelling initiatives focused on the future of healthcare delivery, business, and consumer experience.
• Manage budgets, forecast hours, and ensure efficient resource allocation across teams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with top-tier healthcare, business, benefits, managed care, hospital and health system, workforce, mental health, and technology media.
• Lead proactive media relations strategies that secure high-impact coverage and elevate client visibility among key business and healthcare audiences.
• Guide teams in developing creative story angles tied to healthcare economics, access, affordability, workforce and talent, care delivery, value-based care, health system transformation, mental health, and broader healthcare industry trends.
• Oversee strategic pitching efforts, including data-driven, research-based, executive-led, and trend-based story opportunities.
• Leverage digital and social channels to amplify earned media and thought leadership.
• Stay informed on healthcare business trends, policy and regulatory developments, market dynamics, reimbursement models, workforce shifts, and emerging approaches to care delivery to provide proactive counsel.
• Manage 3–4 direct reports, providing mentorship, guidance, and performance feedback.
• Support new business initiatives from research and ideation through pitch presentation.
• Contribute to agency marketing initiatives including award submissions, case studies, and thought leadership content.
• Champion Highwire's culture of inclusion, empowerment, and collaboration.
• Represent Highwire at healthcare business, policy, industry, and innovation events, conferences, and networking opportunities.
• Mentor account teams and provide guidance on client strategy, media relations, and communications execution.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive environment that encourages professional growth and creativity.
• Lead by example, maintaining high standards of professionalism, accountability, and client service.

Requirements

• 7+ years of PR, communications, or marketing experience in an agency environment.
• Experience working with healthcare, health services, managed care, health plans, benefits, care delivery, hospitals and health systems, value-based care, mental health, or related organizations.
• Proven ability to develop and execute integrated communications programs that drive measurable results.
• Strong understanding of the healthcare business and media landscape, including the forces shaping how healthcare is financed, delivered, managed, and experienced.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Experience managing multiple client accounts and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and support junior team members.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Strategic, proactive, and collaborative mindset.
• Passion for the Business of Health and the ability to communicate complex healthcare business, industry, and operational topics in clear, compelling ways.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with merit-based opportunities for growth.
• Flexible hybrid work model tailored to your schedule and lifestyle.
• Generous vacation policy, including extended summer and winter breaks.
• Early log-off on Fridays through our Empower Hours program.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus FSA options.
• Paid parental leave benefits.
• Commuter benefits.
• Annual Growth Mindset stipend for books, events, or learning experiences.
• Monthly technology reimbursement.
• Wellness benefit program for mental and physical health.
• 501c3 donation matching program.
• Mentorship and ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Monthly recognition and team celebrations.
• Employee referral and new business referral bonuses.
• Quarterly Highwire events and team gatherings.
• Dog-friendly office environment.
• A supportive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace where you can grow and do your best work.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $135,000, with the final offer based on a combination of factors, including education, relevant experience, skills, prior training, internal equity, and local geographic market data.

Schedule

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.