Director, Creative Production

Socket.dev; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid work model

401(k) matching

Generous vacation policy

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Highwire seeks a Director of Creative Production to oversee intake, estimation, negotiation, and staffing across a portfolio of complex client engagements. You will ensure briefs precede work, manage SOWs, estimates, and production timelines, and partner with Creative leadership to set kick-off standards.

You’ll lead staffing with agency partners, manage budgets, and coordinate across pre-, production, and post-production workflows for video, motion, and experiential projects, including

Qualifications

• 8+ years above the producer/project management level leading multiple concurrent, complex, high-visibility projects
• Agency experience coordinating with external partners and clients in a client-facing role
• Proven ability to manage change, rally teams around new directions, and drive adoption of processes in a fast-moving environment
• Experience managing cross-functional relationships across competing priorities
• Experience producing video, motion, and/or experiential projects in an agency environment, including vendor management and multi-market coordination
• Experience running print/document production, strategy, digital, pre-production video and/or web development projects
• Understanding of QA requirements for interactive or web-based deliverables, including user experience testing
• Experience using AI-assisted tools for project planning, scoping, and workflow optimization
• Familiarity with CMS, social media platforms, Creative Cloud, Google Workspace/G-suite and Mac preferred
• Experience using Kantata for Professional Service Automation
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience

Responsibilities

• Serve as the operational connective tissue between Creative and cross-functional partners
• Implement consistent creative-first project management processes across key pieces of business
• Own the project intake and briefing process, ensuring every engagement enters production with a clear, approved creative brief before work begins
• Lead the development of statements of work (SOWs), project estimates, and production proposals that accurately reflect creative scope, team capacity, and delivery timelines
• Manage budgets for project-based work and report budget performance
• Manage production across concurrent, high-visibility client scopes, including enterprise-level accounts with multiple workstreams running simultaneously
• Support pre-production, production, and post-production workflows across video, motion, and experiential projects, coordinating with internal teams and potential vendors
• Partner with Creative leadership to establish intake, briefing, and project kickoff standards that support creative quality from the start
• Articulate strategic plans, consult at a strategic level with clients, and have an in-depth understanding of the budget-setting process
• Take ownership of team staffing, working with other staffing representatives across the agency
• Be prepared to report progress and next steps as required daily, weekly and at project conclusion
• Continue involvement in the execution of account work while steadily increasing responsibility over teams and client deliverables
• Identify projects with case study potential early and partner with Creative leadership to ensure documentation planning is considered

Skills

Project management

Agency experience

Budget management

Cross-functional teams

Vendor management

Video/Motion/Experiential

Staffing

AI in production

CMS/Cloud tools

Kantata

Education

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Kantata for PSA

CMS

Creative Cloud

Google Workspace

Mac

Job description

Highwire is reimagining what a Director of Creative Production can be. We are an AI-native, sector-expert, outcome-obsessed partner to the world’s most innovative companies. As our Director of Creative Production, you are responsible for overseeing the intake, estimation, negotiation, and staffing of the Creative team across a growing portfolio of complex, multi-scope client engagements. You’ll also support the team in ensuring that the processes around all disciplines are executed with a process that starts with a brief and ends with on-time delivery, in partnership with our Account and Project Manager roles. This position reports to the VP and Creative Director and combines Creative and Project Management responsibilities.

About you:

You are ruthlessly organized and motivated by the smooth, efficient competition of tasks against a plan. You understand how creative people work and protect their time and energy as fiercely as you protect deadlines. You navigate ambiguity and change without losing momentum, and you know how to bring a team along as the path is still being built. You look around corners and habitually have alternative options. Your teammates rely on you and know they can trust you to keep them on target, and aware of any potential derailments. You adore spreadsheets, Gantt charts and checklists, and you thrive on process. You’re able to think on your toes and be resourceful in finding solutions to problems and answers to questions without strong oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the operational connective tissue between Creative and cross-functional partners
• Implement consistent creative-first project management processes across key pieces of business
• Own the project intake and briefing process, ensuring every engagement enters production with a clear, approved creative brief before work begins
• Lead the development of statements of work (SOWs), project estimates, and production proposals that accurately reflect creative scope, team capacity, and delivery timelines.
• Manage budgets for project-based work and report budget performance
• Manage production across concurrent, high-visibility client scopes, including enterprise-level accounts with multiple workstreams running simultaneously
• Support pre-production, production, and post-production workflows across video, motion, and experiential projects, coordinating with internal teams and potential vendors
• Partner with Creative leadership to establish intake, briefing, and project kickoff standards that support creative quality from the start
• Articulate strategic plans, consult at a strategic level with clients, and have an in-depth understanding of the budget-setting process
• Take ownership of team staffing, working with other staffing representatives across the agency
• Be prepared to report progress and next steps as required daily, weekly and at project conclusion
• Continue involvement in the execution of account work while steadily increasing responsibility over teams and client deliverables
• Identify projects with case study potential early and partner with Creative leadership to ensure documentation planning is considered

Candidate requirements

• 8+ years above the producer/project management level, and experience leading multiple concurrent, complex, highly visible projects without supervision
• Agency experience, including planning, scheduling, and coordinating with external partners and clients (i.e., in a client-facing role)
• Proven ability to manage change, rally teams around new directions, and drive adoption of processes in a fast-moving environment
• Experience managing cross-functional relationships, including the ability to work assertively and collaboratively across competing priorities
• Demonstrated experience producing video, motion, and/or experiential projects in an agency environment, including vendor management and multi-market coordination.
• Experience running print/document production, strategy, digital, pre-production video and/or web development projects
• Understanding of specific quality assurance requirements for interactive or web-based deliverables, including user experience testing
• Demonstrated ability to work within AI-native production environments, including the use of AI-assisted tools for project planning, scoping, and workflow optimization
• Familiarity with CMS, social media platforms, Creative Cloud, Google Workspace/G-suite and Mac preferred
• Experience using Kantata for Professional Service Automation
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience

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

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 4 core values:

• Team Empowerment
• Growth Mindset
• Inclusion Always
• Fierce Distinction

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.

Our people-first culture is reflected in the meaningful benefits, flexibility, and support we offer:

• 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

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.

Join the Highwire team