Vice President, Media Relations (Chicago)

Vice President, Media Strategy

The Vice President, Media Strategy is a senior, hands‑on media leader at the center of Highwire's media function. This role is responsible for driving high‑impact earned media strategy and execution across a portfolio of B2B technology, professional services, and financial services clients.

This position is designed for a seasoned media practitioner who brings deep expertise in earned media, strong relationships with top‑tier business and technology journalists, and a proven track record of delivering results in fast‑paced, agency environments. The VP, Media Strategy serves as a key day‑to‑day media lead across priority accounts while also contributing to new business efforts and agency growth.

The ideal candidate is both a strategic counselor and active media doer, with sharp editorial instincts, the ability to advise senior clients, and the drive to execute with precision, creativity, and speed.

Key Responsibilities

Media Strategy & Execution

• Develop and execute integrated earned media strategies for B2B technology, professional services, and financial services clients, focused on measurable outcomes and high‑impact coverage.
• Serve as a senior media lead across key accounts, directly shaping media plans, outreach strategy, and reporter engagement.
• Drive proactive and reactive media programs including product launches, executive visibility, corporate milestones, funding announcements, M&A, and thought leadership campaigns.
• Apply media analytics and performance insights to continuously refine pitching strategy, messaging, and storytelling approaches.
• Provide senior‑level counsel in support of crisis and issues communications as needed.

Client & Media Relations

• Build and maintain strong, active relationships with top‑tier business, technology, and professional services journalists across national and industry‑specific outlets.
• Act as a trusted media advisor to senior clients, helping shape messaging, narrative positioning, and executive communications strategy.
• Partner with account teams to ensure earned media strategy is fully integrated across owned, shared, and digital channels.
• Elevate client storytelling by identifying timely news angles and positioning opportunities within the broader media landscape.

New Business Development

• Play an active role in new business pitches, contributing media strategy frameworks, competitive media insights, and differentiated storytelling approaches.
• Help shape Highwire's point of view in competitive RFP processes through creative, insight‑driven media thinking.
• Leverage media expertise and relationships to strengthen pitch strategies and support account growth.
• Contribute to the development of new media‑driven offerings that expand agency capabilities and revenue opportunities.

Team & Agency Leadership

• Mentor and develop junior and mid‑level media team members, strengthening media strategy and execution capabilities across the agency.
• Collaborate closely with strategy, content, digital, and creative teams to deliver integrated client programs.
• Contribute to agency‑wide training, best practices, and knowledge‑sharing initiatives to elevate overall media excellence.

Success Factors

• 8–12 years of media relations experience in PR, communications, or journalism, with deep expertise in B2B technology, professional services, and/or financial services media.
• Demonstrated track record as a hands‑on media practitioner with strong, active relationships with business and technology journalists.
• Experience contributing to new business pitches, including RFP development, presentations, and agency capabilities discussions.
• Proven ability to develop and execute earned media strategies that deliver measurable results.
• Strong client counseling experience, including direct interaction with senior executives.
• Experience mentoring junior team members in a fast‑paced, agency environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong editorial judgment and narrative development ability.
• Familiarity with media analytics tools and a data‑informed approach to optimizing media performance.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $175,000, 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.

• 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
• Commuter 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.