Vice President, Business Development

Highwire; United States; Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid work model

401(k) matching

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Generous vacation policy

Professional development & mentorship

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Highwire is seeking a Vice President, Business Development to lead and scale the agency’s new business function in a pivotal growth phase.

The role owns the new business engine—driving pipeline strategy, leading pitches, and turning opportunities into long-term partnerships with executive leadership collaboration. You will shape go-to-market strategy and build scalable systems for repeatable growth.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in business development and client leadership with a communications, marketing, advertising or public relations agency.
• Proven success leading complex, multi-stakeholder pitches and winning new business.
• Strong understanding of integrated, cross-channel agency offerings.
• Ability to build systems and processes that scale growth.
• Executive presence with experience engaging senior-level procurement leaders and decision-makers.
• Strong storytelling, pitching, and proposal development skills.
• Solid understanding of agency economics and pipeline management.
• U.S.-based, open to candidates anywhere in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Own the full new business lifecycle from qualification to close.
• Manage a strong, qualified pipeline aligned to agency priorities.
• Partner with marketing and leadership to drive inbound and outbound growth strategy.
• Track pipeline health, forecasting, and performance metrics.
• Build relationships with senior marketing and communications leaders.
• Lead consultative conversations that uncover client needs and opportunities.
• Partner with account teams to drive cross-sell and upsell growth within existing clients.
• Lead RFPs, referrals, and strategic pitch processes.
• Partner with account teams to develop compelling, insight-driven proposals and presentations.
• Orchestrate cross-functional teams across strategy, creative, digital, and insights.
• Prepare and coach teams to deliver high-stakes presentations with strong executive presence.
• Create playbooks, templates, and frameworks to improve win rates and efficiency.
• Improve forecasting, reporting, and pipeline visibility.
• Use data to continuously refine business development performance.

Skills

Business development

Client leadership

Pitching

Strategic thinking

Storytelling

Proposal development

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

At Highwire, growth starts with deeply understanding client needs and translating them into strategic opportunities. The Vice President, Business Development will lead and scale the agency’s new business function at a key stage of growth.

This role owns Highwire’s new business engine—driving pipeline strategy, leading pitches, and converting opportunities into long-term client partnerships. Working closely with executive leadership and practice teams, this leader will shape go-to-market strategy, elevate pitch excellence, and build the systems that make growth repeatable and scalable.

Key Responsibilities

Drive Growth & Pipeline

• Own the full new business lifecycle from qualification to close
• Manage a strong, qualified pipeline aligned to agency priorities
• Partner with marketing and leadership to drive inbound and outbound growth strategy
• Track pipeline health, forecasting, and performance metrics

Lead Prospecting & Client Engagement

• Build relationships with senior marketing and communications leaders
• Lead consultative conversations that uncover client needs and opportunities
• Partner with account teams to drive cross-sell and upsell growth within existing clients

Lead Pitches & Win New Business

• Lead RFPs, referrals, and strategic pitch processes
• Partner with account teams to develop compelling, insight-driven proposals and presentations
• Orchestrate cross-functional teams across strategy, creative, digital, and insights
• Prepare and coach teams to deliver high-stakes presentations with strong executive presence

Build Scalable Systems

• Create playbooks, templates, and frameworks to improve win rates and efficiency
• Improve forecasting, reporting, and pipeline visibility
• Use data to continuously refine business development performance

Lead & Collaborate Across Teams

• Mentor and develop business development talent
• Align cross-functional teams around growth opportunities
• Share market insights that inform agency strategy and offerings

Success Factors

• 10+ years of experience in business development and client leadership with a communications, marketing, advertising or public relations agency
• Proven success leading complex, multi-stakeholder pitches and winning new business
• Strong understanding of integrated, cross-channel agency offerings
• Ability to build systems and processes that scale growth
• Executive presence with experience engaging senior-level procurement leaders and decision-makers
• Strong storytelling, pitching, and proposal development skills
• Solid understanding of agency economics and pipeline management
• U.S.-based, open to candidates anywhere in the U.S.

Ideal Attributes

• Strategic Growth Leader – connects market insight to opportunity
• Builder – creates structure, systems, and repeatable processes
• Collaborative Operator – brings teams together and drives alignment
• Strong Pitch Leader – excels in high-stakes, competitive environments
• Executive Communicator – clear, confident, and credible with senior clients

The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $195,000, 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

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 benefitsCommuter 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.