Senior Account Executive, Public Relations (Financial & Professional Services)

Highwire; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) matching

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Highwire is seeking a Senior Account Executive to act as a strategic communicator, client advocate, and team leader on our Professional Services team. You will work with trusted brands across financial services, insurance tech, and advisory-driven industries to navigate markets, build executive visibility, and lead conversations shaping the industry.

You will own day-to-day client communications, lead PR campaigns, develop quarterly plans, manage budgets, and mentor junior staff while

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of PR/communications experience in an agency setting.
• Experience in financial services, insurance technology, or other professional services industries.
• Strong media relationships across business, financial, and trade outlets (e.g., CNBC, Bloomberg, WSJ, Business Insider, Insurance Journal).
• Ability to distill complex topics into engaging stories for diverse media audiences.
• Excellent writing and editing skills across formats.
• Confidence managing client relationships and internal teams.
• Familiarity with analytics tools and reporting best practices.
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented, growth-minded approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead tactical delivery of client programs including media relations, executive thought leadership, awards, speaking, and content.
• Own day-to-day client communications and lead weekly PR calls.
• Manage projects from start to finish with quality, deadlines, and strategic alignment.
• Develop quarterly PR plans and campaign calendars with trend-based storytelling.
• Monitor industry, competitor, and regulatory news for proactive commentary opportunities.
• Help lead media training sessions, including message development and follow-up deliverables.
• Assist planning and allocation of budgets and internal resources.
• Lead media efforts with relationships across key publications.
• Craft pitches driving media coverage aligned with client goals.
• Identify and share emerging media trends and new story opportunities.
• Develop and execute influencer and amplification strategies across LinkedIn, podcasts, and niche media.
• Use social channels to elevate client visibility and support earned efforts.
• Track media performance and demonstrate ROI using insights and reporting tools.
• Mentor junior team members to strengthen media relationships and pitching skills.

Skills

Media relations

Writing

Client management

Strategic thinking

Tools

Analytics tools

Job description

Senior Account Executives at Highwire are strategic communicators, client champions, and team leaders. On our Professional Services team, they work with trusted brands and disruptors across financial services, insurance technology, consulting, and other advisory-driven industries. They help these clients navigate complex markets, build executive visibility, and lead conversations that influence industries. They are confident communicators, skilled writers, and savvy media strategists who take ownership of tactical execution while supporting broader client strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Client Service & Program Management

• Lead the tactical delivery of client programs including media relations, executive thought leadership, awards, speaking, and content.
• Own day-to-day client communications and lead weekly PR calls.
• Manage projects from start to finish- ensuring quality, deadlines, and strategic alignment.
• Develop quarterly PR plans and campaign calendars, including trend-based storytelling and leadership themes.
• Monitor industry, competitor, and regulatory news for proactive commentary opportunities.
• Help lead media training sessions, including message development and all follow-up deliverables.
• Assist in planning and allocating budgets and internal team resources.

Media & Influencer Relations

• Lead media efforts with strong relationships across at least 10 key business, finance, or industry-specific publications.
• Proactively craft and deliver high-quality pitches that drive media coverage aligned with client goals.
• Identify and share emerging media trends, journalist movements, and new story opportunities within the financial and professional services space.
• Develop and execute influencer and amplification strategies, particularly across LinkedIn, business podcasts, and niche financial media.
• Utilize social media channels to elevate client visibility and support earned efforts.
• Track media performance and demonstrate ROI using insights and reporting tools.
• Mentor junior team members to strengthen media relationships and pitching skills.

Writing & Content Development

• Write and edit content with a sharp eye for financial, legal, or professional services nuance, including:
  • Press releases, pitches, and executive commentary
  • Contributed articles, blogs, speaking abstracts, and awards
  • Messaging documents, backgrounders, Q&A, and media briefing books
• Translate complex ideas (e.g., regulations, economic trends, tech disruption) into compelling, accessible narratives.
• Maintain consistent tone, quality, and brand alignment across all content.

Insights, Analytics & Integration

• Lead client reporting, using analytics tools to track media results and provide strategic insights.
• Apply data to evolve storytelling, improve pitching strategies, and optimize campaign outcomes.
• Collaborate across internal teams - content, design, social, and strategy to ensure fully integrated service delivery.
• Support AI adoption across the team by identifying tools that enhance research, precision, or efficiency.

Mentorship & Collaboration

• Coach junior staff, helping them grow in media relations, writing, and industry expertise.
• Contribute to a team culture built on collaboration, communication, and mutual respect.
• Lead by example - managing up and down with transparency, professionalism, and drive.

Agency Engagement & Operations

• Support new business efforts by contributing research and participating in pitches.
• Share your expertise through blog posts, internal training, or client case studies.
• Actively participate in industry events and networking opportunities.
• Embrace and model Highwire's flexible work culture.
• Recommend improvements to workflows or team practices to drive success.

Professional Growth & Self-Development

• Set and track quarterly performance goals with your manager.
• Proactively prioritize tasks and take full ownership of timelines and deliverables.
• Drive initiatives forward independently and with accountability.
• Seek feedback regularly and turn it into action.
• Consistently meet deadlines—or communicate early when adjustments are needed.
• Stay up to date on financial services, insurtech, and business news to bring ideas and context to your work.

Success Factors

• 3-5 years of PR/communications experience in an agency setting (required)
• Experience in financial services, insurance technology, or other professional services industries (required)
• Strong media relationships across business, financial, and trade outlets (e.g., CNBC, Bloomberg, WSJ, Business Insider, Insurance Journal, etc.)
• Ability to distill complex business topics into engaging stories for diverse media audiences
• Excellent writing and editing skills across formats
• Confidence managing client relationships and internal teams
• Familiarity with analytics tools and reporting best practices
• A collaborative, solutions-oriented, and growth-minded approach

The salary range for this position is $63,000 to $90,000, 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.

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

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

You’re inspired by the opportunity to shape meaningful stories and grow alongside a team that values innovation, accountability, and inclusion, apply below to start the conversation.

Please note: This posting may be used to build our talent pipeline, connect with top professionals in the industry, or extend reach across multiple locations. We welcome all interested candidates to apply and explore opportunities at Highwire!