Director, Media Strategy

Highwire; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Flexible hybrid work model

Generous vacation policy

Wellness benefit program

Dog-friendly office environment

Job summary

Highwire is looking for a Director, Media Strategy in Chicago to serve as a senior media strategist and client advisor across a diverse portfolio. Responsibilities include developing C-suite thought-leadership platforms, leading financial communications strategies, and enhancing executive visibility for clients in technology and healthcare.

The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of media relations experience, a deep understanding of B2B and B2C media landscapes, and a proven track record in managing high-profile communications. The position offers a competitive salary and a robust benefits package, including flexible work options.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of media relations experience including 4+ years in a PR agency.
• Experience developing C-suite visibility strategies.
• Established media relationships with top-tier outlets.

Responsibilities

• Lead media strategy for major financial communications.
• Develop executive visibility strategies for technology and healthcare clients.
• Train and elevate media relations skills across the agency.

Skills

Media relations experience

C-suite thought leadership

Strategic leadership

Client management

Financial communications expertise

Job description

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.

Key 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Represent Highwire at industry events, conferences, and media networking opportunities.

Success Factors

• 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.

Compensation and Benefits

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. 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.

• 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
• 501(c)(3) 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
• 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. Candidates must reside in one of the listed locations at the time of hire.