Director, Media Strategy

About the role

The Director, Media Strategy at Highwire will oversee C-suite thought leadership and executive visibility programs for a diverse portfolio of clients in technology, healthcare, energy, financial services, professional services, and cybersecurity. The role involves developing and executing strategic media plans for high-stakes financial communications and corporate milestones.

Responsibilities

• C-Suite and SME Thought Leadership & Executive Visibility
• 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.
• Develop and execute executive visibility strategies that establish C-suite leaders as authoritative voices across technology, healthcare, and the intersection of both.
• Build and manage evergreen thought leadership platforms that sustain executive presence between major news moments.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior clients on message development, media positioning, and storytelling across earned and owned channels.
• Financial Communications & High-Stakes Media Programs
• Lead media strategy for high-profile financial communications events, including earnings calls, IPO media programs, and corporate milestone campaigns.
• Develop proactive media narratives that support positioning before, during, and after financial events, including briefing top-tier financial and business press.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists and editors at top-tier financial, business and consumer media.
• Guide clients through sensitive or high-stakes communications moments, providing best-in-class media counsel on reputation, crisis, and leadership transition scenarios across sectors.
• B2B & B2C Technology, Healthcare & Emerging Media
• 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.
• Identify and pursue emerging media opportunities that position clients ahead of industry conversations, leveraging trend-based pitching and proactive storytelling.
• Monitor media trends, competitive coverage, and industry narratives to provide clients with proactive, data- and intelligence-driven strategic guidance.
• Agency-Wide Upskilling & Media Excellence
• Design and lead agency-wide training programs that elevate media relations skills across Highwire's full roster of account teams.
• Serve as an internal resource and advisor for account teams looking to strengthen storytelling angles, pitch strategies, media targeting, and executive visibility planning.
• Partner with practice leads and senior leadership to identify skill gaps across the agency and build structured learning pathways that address them.
• 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.
• Integrated Media Strategy & Client Leadership
• 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.
• Provide senior counsel on messaging, positioning, and media engagement strategies aligned to clients' broader communications and business objectives.
• Identify and act on organic growth opportunities within existing client accounts.
• Team Development & Agency Leadership
• Manage and mentor 2–3 direct reports, providing regular feedback, coaching, and professional development guidance.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment with high standards of accountability, creativity, and client service.
• Support new business initiatives, from research and ideation through pitch presentation, with a specific focus on media strategy.
• Champion Highwire's culture of inclusion, empowerment, and collaboration.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.
• Direct experience with financial communications — including earnings media programs, IPO communications, or related high-stakes corporate milestones — is required.
• 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.
• Established relationships with reporters, editors, and producers at leading national print/digital and broadcast, and trade media outlets.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver training, workshops, or internal capability-building programs that elevate team performance at scale.
• Strong strategic leadership and senior client management experience, with the ability to serve as a trusted advisor at the executive level.
• Experience managing and developing high-performing teams in a fast-paced environment.

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