Senior Vice President, Media Relations

The Senior Vice President, Media Relations is a senior leadership role at the center of Highwire’s media function, responsible for leading high-impact earned media strategy across the agency’s most strategic client relationships. This position is designed for an accomplished media strategist and relationship-builder with deep expertise in B2B technology, professional services, and financial services media, a strong track record in new business development, and the executive presence to represent Highwire’s media capabilities with clients, prospects, and industry stakeholders.

Operating at the intersection of strategic counsel and execution, the SVP, Media Strategy leads media strategy for marquee accounts, serves as the agency’s senior media advisor on complex communications initiatives, and plays a critical role in agency growth. This leader partners closely with account, strategy, and executive leadership to elevate media thinking across the agency, mentor teams, and deliver measurable client impact.

The ideal candidate is a connected, energetic media leader who thrives on results, brings a robust network of business and technology media relationships, and is energized by the fast pace and opportunity of an independent, growing agency.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Media Leadership

• Lead earned media strategy for Highwire’s most complex and high-profile client engagements, ensuring alignment with client business objectives and communications priorities.
• Provide executive-level counsel on narrative development, media positioning, executive visibility, and integrated communications planning.
• Champion media excellence by sharing best practices, strengthening journalist relationships, and helping teams deliver measurable client outcomes.
• Stay ahead of emerging trends across business, technology, and industry media to inform client strategy and identify new storytelling opportunities.
• Provide senior media counsel during crisis and issues communications, helping clients navigate high-stakes situations with confidence.

Earned Media & Client Counsel

• Serve as the agency’s senior media advisor, counseling C-suite executives on earned media strategy, executive visibility, reputation management, and thought leadership.
• Build and maintain strong, active relationships with top-tier business, technology, financial, and trade journalists.
• Oversee and contribute to high-impact media programs, including corporate announcements, executive thought leadership, product launches, funding announcements, M&A, and other strategic communications initiatives.
• Maintain an active role across priority client accounts, partnering with account teams to develop media strategy and support exceptional execution.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen client narratives and create meaningful connections between business objectives and media opportunities.

New Business & Agency Growth

• Partner with agency leadership on new business pitches and RFP responses, providing media strategy, industry insights, and a senior perspective that strengthens competitive pursuits.
• Help shape compelling communications strategies that differentiate Highwire through creative, insight-driven media thinking and storytelling.
• Leverage industry relationships and business development expertise to identify opportunities for agency growth and account expansion.
• Contribute to the evolution of media-driven offerings that strengthen Highwire’s integrated communications capabilities and support agency growth.
• Partner with senior leadership to position Highwire’s media expertise as a key differentiator in the marketplace.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Mentor and develop media leaders and team members across the agency, strengthening strategic thinking, client counsel, and media execution.
• Partner with agency leadership on talent development, recruiting, and career growth initiatives for media professionals.
• Lead media training and knowledge-sharing initiatives that elevate media expertise across client teams.
• Collaborate closely with strategy, content, digital, creative, and account leadership to ensure earned media is fully integrated into client programs.

Success Factors

• 12+ years of media relations, public relations, or communications experience, with deep expertise in B2B technology, professional services, and/or financial services media.
• Demonstrated success leading media strategy for complex, high-profile client engagements.
• Extensive experience contributing to new business pitches, RFPs, and agency presentations.
• Robust, active relationships with top-tier business, technology, financial, and trade journalists.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to counsel C-suite leaders, represent the agency externally, and influence senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to operate as both a strategic advisor and a hands‑on media practitioner.
• Experience leading media strategy across multiple complex client accounts in a fast‑paced agency environment.
• Experience mentoring and developing high‑performing media professionals.
• Strong analytical mindset with experience leveraging media insights and performance data to inform strategy and demonstrate business impact.

The salary range for this position is $175,000 to $249,000, 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-Hybrid

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
• Commuter benefits
• Annual Growth Mindset stipend for books, events, or learning experiences
• Monthly technology reimbursement
• Wellness benefit program for mental and physical health
• 501(c)(3) 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.