Vice President, Business Development

Highwire; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible hybrid work model

Generous vacation policy

401(k) plan with employer matching

Comprehensive health coverage

Paid parental leave

Wellness benefit program

Job summary

Highwire is seeking a Vice President of Business Development to lead its new business functions. Located in Washington, D.C., this role demands over 10 years of experience in client leadership and a proven ability to win new business.

You will own the new business lifecycle, build systems for scalable growth, and mentor business development teams. The position offers a competitive salary and a flexible hybrid work model.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in business development and client leadership.
• Proven success in leading complex, multi-stakeholder pitches.
• Strong understanding of integrated agency offerings.

Responsibilities

• Own the full new business lifecycle from qualification to close.
• Manage a pipeline aligned to agency priorities.
• Lead RFPs, referrals, and pitch processes.

Skills

Business development

Client leadership

Strategic communication

Pitch leadership

Process building

Job description

Colorado, United States; Illinois, United States; Maryland, United States; Washington, District of Columbia, United States; Washington, United States

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

• 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
• 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

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $175,000, based on factors such as education, experience, skills, and local 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 overall well-being and growth.

Benefits:

• 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 bonusesQuarterly Highwire events and team gatherings
• Dog-friendly office environment
• Supportive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace where you can grow and do your best work

Highwire offers both remote and hybrid work options, depending on where you live. 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. 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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of protected group status.