Director, Strategy

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with merit-based成长

Flexible hybrid work model

Paid parental leave

401(k) with employer matching

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision

Job summary

Highwire seeks a Director, Strategy to lead and shape client engagements across earned media, content, social, influencer and creative. You will design strategic frameworks, mentor junior strategists, and partner with Analytics to deliver data-driven insights.

You will work cross-functionally with Digital, Creative, Analytics, and Account teams to ensure strategy informs every phase of campaigns and client outcomes.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in strategic communications, marketing, or related fields.
• Proven ability to create strategic frameworks and deliver integrated solutions.
• Strong client-facing skills with the ability to build senior-level client relationships.
• Experience across digital marketing, creative, and analytics.
• Experience supporting new business development, including pitching strategies.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Framework Development: Create experience and engagement strategies; align with client goals; lead discovery sessions; work with Highwire Intelligence Group; build long-term client relationships.
• New Business & Growth Support: Contribute to engagement strategies for pitches; collaborate with business development; identify opportunities for expanding strategic services; mentor junior strategists.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with Digital, Creative, and Analytics; ensure strategy informs all client work; document requirements and develop strategic roadmaps.
• Success Factors: 6+ years, senior-level client relationships, cross-disciplinary experience, leadership and mentorship.

Job description

Colorado, United States; Connecticut, United States; Florida, United States; Georgia, United States; Illinois, United States; Iowa, United States; Kansas, United States; Maryland, United States; Michigan, United States; New Hampshire, United States; North Carolina, United States; Ohio, United States; Oregon, United States; Pennsylvania, United States; Rhode Island, United States; South Carolina, United States; Tennessee, United States; Texas, United States; Utah, United States; Virginia, United States; Washington, District of Columbia, United States; Washington, United States

The Director, Strategy will be a critical leader in supporting the growth and execution of Highwire’s strategy function. Reporting directly to the EVP, Head of Strategy, the Director will work cross-functionally to design and implement strategic frameworks that solve clients’ business, communications and marketing challenges. You will play a pivotal role in collaborating with internal teams and external clients to craft innovative, insight-driven strategies that deliver measurable results. You will guide the thinking of our account and specialist teams across earned media, content, social, influencer and creative, coaching and mentoring them through critical thinking, codifying and conveying their tacit knowledge of clients, industries and competitive landscapes, and working closely with our Insights and Analytics teams to create briefs which surround first‑hand knowledge with data‑driven insight. Your strategic direction will inform and guide all our work, from the development of overarching creative platforms to deeply integrated channel activation plans.
This role will support new business efforts, guide the execution of client engagements, and ensure strategic excellence across the board. The Director, Strategy will partner closely with Highwire’s Digital, Strategic Communications, Creative, Analytics & Insights, and Account teams to deliver fully integrated campaigns and grow the strategy function.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Framework Development:

• Support the creation of experience and engagement strategies that align with clients' business objectives, working with various internal teams (e.g., Creative, Digital, Analytics).
• Assist in driving the value story for brand experiences and strategic projects, ensuring alignment with client goals and measurable outcomes.
• Act as a co‑leader on key accounts alongside client portfolio leaders, providing strategic counsel and ensuring the successful delivery of client objectives.
• Lead strategic discovery sessions, gathering insights and experience requirements to develop solutions that meet client needs.
• Partner with the Highwire Intelligence Group to ensure strategies are grounded in measurable frameworks and can be tracked for performance over time.
• Build and nurture long‑term client relationships, contributing to business growth through exceptional strategy execution and insights.

New Business & Growth Support:

• Play a key role in the new business process, helping to develop engagement strategies and craft persuasive pitch narratives that resonate with prospective clients.
• Work closely with the business development team to pitch new ideas and expand Highwire’s client base, focusing on how strategic solutions can drive results.
• Identify opportunities for innovation within existing client relationships to expand the scope of strategic services.
• Mentor and guide junior strategists and team members, helping to elevate their strategic thinking, storytelling, and client engagement skills.
• Foster a collaborative and empowering team culture, encouraging creativity and innovation while maintaining high standards of execution.

Cross‑functional Collaboration:

• Partner with cross‑functional teams, including Digital, Creative, and Analytics, to ensure the seamless integration of strategy into larger client campaigns and initiatives.
• Ensure that strategy informs every aspect of client work, from creative ideation to execution, and that each project is aligned with overarching client goals.
• Work closely with the I&A and account teams to document requirements, gather insights, and develop comprehensive strategic roadmaps.

Success Factors

• 6+ years of experience in strategic communications, marketing, or related fields, with a proven track record of leading successful client engagements.
• Demonstrated ability to create strategic frameworks and deliver integrated solutions that address business challenges.
• Strong client‑facing skills, with the ability to build and nurture senior‑level client relationships.
• Experience working across disciplines, including digital marketing, creative, and analytics, to deliver comprehensive solutions.
• Proven success in supporting new business development, including pitching strategies and driving growth within existing accounts.
• Strong leadership and mentorship skills, with experience developing and guiding junior team members.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas to internal teams and clients.
• Collaborative mindset with experience working in fast‑paced, client‑driven environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, or a related field is preferred.

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. #LI-Remote

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:

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

Join the Highwire team

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.

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
• 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