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

Highwire; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid work model

Generous vacation policy

401(k) plan with employer matching

Comprehensive medical coverage

Employee referral bonuses

Job summary

Highwire is seeking a Senior Account Manager in San Francisco to lead integrated communications programs for influential financial companies. You will oversee multiple account teams and play a key leadership role, mentoring team members while ensuring exceptional client service.

The ideal candidate has a minimum of six years of experience in PR with a focus on Financial or Professional Services, strong writing abilities, and deep media relationships. The position offers competitive salary, flexible hybrid work, and extensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six years of experience in PR, marketing, or communications agencies.
• Prior experience managing Financial or Professional Services clients.
• Established relationships with financial, business, and trade media.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic media and analyst relations programs.
• Manage up to 5 Financial or Professional Services clients.
• Contribute to new business development and organic client expansion.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Strong writing

Client management

Media relations

Leadership

Job description

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

Senior Account Managers on our Financial & Professional Services teams lead integrated communications programs for some of the most influential companies across banking, insurance, consulting, and advisory-driven industries. They bring deep experience in areas such as financial services innovation, consulting thought leadership, and enterprise advisory, guiding teams in translating complex business topics into compelling narratives that resonate with key audiences.

In this role, Senior Account Managers oversee multiple account teams, managing both high-level strategy and day-to-day execution across media relations and integrated programs. They ensure communications strategies are forward-thinking, results-driven, and aligned with client business objectives.

Senior Account Managers also play a key leadership role within the agency — mentoring and inspiring team members, contributing to new business development, and helping Highwire deliver exceptional results for Financial or Professional Services clients. Strong writing, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the financial and professional services media landscape are essential to success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Media Relations

• Lead strategic media and analyst relations programs for Financial or Professional Services clients.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with top-tier financial, business, and trade press.
• Guide account teams in identifying news opportunities, shaping compelling story angles, and executing proactive media outreach.
• Partner with clients to elevate thought leadership through feature coverage, executive interviews, and contributed content.
• Oversee measurement and reporting of media performance to ensure programs deliver meaningful visibility and business impact.

Client Service / Management

• Serve as the day-to-day account lead for up to 5 Financial or Professional Services clients, ensuring exceptional client service and program execution.
• Direct teams of 5–10 members, from interns to VPs, managing workflow, priorities, and team development.
• Provide strategic counsel aligned with each client’s business objectives and sector-specific goals.
• Build and maintain relationships with key financial, consulting, and business media.
• Oversee communications programs from kickoff through goal achievement, ensuring measurable impact.
• Set ambitious yet achievable client goals through creative campaigns and amplification strategies tied to business outcomes.
• Develop and manage monthly and annual budgets, staffing allocations, and team priorities.
• Ensure accurate client billing, expense management, and overall account health.
• Participate in program execution as needed, including writing, media relations, digital communications, and crisis support.
• Serve as an ambassador for the agency and our Financial & Professional Services teams.

Agency Operations

• Contribute to company growth through new business development, organic client expansion, and creation of client case studies within the Financial & Professional Services sector.
• Attend networking events, seminars, and conferences relevant to financial services, consulting, and communications to maintain professional development and build relationships.
• Lead at least one agency-wide training annually and participate in internal trainings as needed.
• Establish and maintain a focus area within agency support, such as digital strategy, thought leadership development, or sector-specific communications initiatives.

Team Development

• Manage up to 2 direct reports, set goals, conduct quarterly check-ins, and deliver annual reviews.
• Act as a coach across account teams by teaching, providing guidance, recognizing achievements, delegating effectively, and mapping work to strategy and client goals.
• Maintain a respectful, enthusiastic, and professional attitude toward coworkers, clients, and external partners.
• Lead by example and ensure teammates have clarity on roles, responsibilities, and Financial & Professional Services objectives.
• Deliver high-level account management and strategic counsel specifically for Financial or Professional Services clients.
• Execute integrated communications programs as needed, supporting writing, media relations, digital communications, and crisis efforts.
• Mentor and develop team members, ensuring alignment with agency standards and client objectives.
• Support agency growth through client development, business opportunities, and thought leadership in the Financial & Professional Services sector.

Success Factors

• Minimum of six years of experience in PR, marketing, or communications agencies, with at least one year as an Account Manager.
• Prior experience managing Financial or Professional Services clients in an agency environment.
• Strong understanding of the Financial or Professional Services industry and media landscape.
• Established relationships with financial, business, and trade media.
• Proven ability to develop and lead communications strategies that drive visibility and credibility for Financial or Professional Services brands.
• Strong writing, storytelling, and strategic thinking skills.
• Experience managing multiple client accounts, budgets, and cross-functional teams simultaneously.
• Track record of mentoring and developing junior staff.
• Organized, proactive, and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills with the ability to inspire teams and deliver measurable results.

Salary and Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000 to $125,000. Additional compensation such as bonuses, stock, or discretionary compensation will be determined based on experience.

• 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

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.

Work Location

Highwire offers both remote and hybrid work options. Candidates located within commuting distance of our New York, NY or San Francisco, CA offices may follow a hybrid schedule, with three in-office days per week. 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 consider only candidates who reside in one of the locations listed above at the time of hire).

EEO and Equal Opportunity Statement

As set forth in Highwire’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.