Vice President, Copy

Vice President, Copy

San Francisco, California, United States

As the Vice President, Copy, you will be the ultimate champion and architect of narrative strategy across marketing-based accounts. You will lead the editorial vision, voice, and verbal identity for our clients, transforming complex business strategies and technology landscapes into compelling, human-centric stories.

In this role, you will oversee the copywriting function, ensuring that our verbal output matches the elite standard of our visual output. You will partner closely with design and motion leadership to pitch and win high-stakes new business, and define brand positioning for global clients.

You'll work seamlessly with the SVP of Content, VP Creative Director, VP of Digital Strategy, and account leads to ensure our creative work is strategically sound, conceptually brilliant, and flawlessly executed.

You are a master wordsmith and a seasoned strategist who understands that copy isn't just about making things sound good—it's about driving business action. You are an inspiring mentor, a trusted client advisor, and an absolute powerhouse in a pitch room.

Key Responsibilities

• Narrative & Editorial Leadership: Oversee the creative direction of all copy, messaging, and content strategy across the agency's digital practice, ensuring a unified and elite standard of work.
• Brand Voice & Architecture: Lead the development of comprehensive verbal identities, brand messaging frameworks, and tone-of-voice guidelines for high-profile clients and new business prospects.
• High-Stakes Presentation & Pitches: Serve as a primary creative lead on major agency pitches, developing core conceptual narratives and presenting them persuasively to C-suite stakeholders.
• Department Oversight & Mentorship: Manage, mentor, and grow a team of copywriters and content strategists. Set performance standards, conduct creative reviews, and unblock career paths for your team.
• Creative Partnership: Partner cross-functionally with the ACD of Motion & Design, VP Creative Director, and Digital Strategy VP to ensure copy and visuals are deeply integrated from the very first brainstorm.
• Agency Voice Advocacy: Act as an internal and external thought leader, helping to shape and elevate Highwire's own brand voice through agency marketing, insights, and public-facing content.

Success Factors

• Experience: 10+ years of professional copywriting and creative strategy experience, with at least 4+ years in a dedicated leadership role managing creative teams within an agency environment.
• Portfolio: A world-class portfolio showcasing conceptual campaign thinking, long-form and short-form copy mastery, and comprehensive brand messaging frameworks (Tech/B2B experience is highly valued).
• Industry Fluency: A deep understanding of digital marketing channels, SEO base strategy, social platforms, and how copy shifts to maximize engagement across each.
• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal, presentation, and written communication skills. You can gracefully deliver tough feedback internally and defend bold creative choices externally.
• Innovation Mindset: A forward-thinking approach to content creation, including a strong understanding of how emerging technologies (like generative AI tools) can be ethically and effectively integrated into the copy workflow.
• Narrative Mastery & Strategic Depth: Your portfolio features high-impact B2B/Tech campaigns, master messaging frameworks, and multi-channel creative storytelling. You have a rare ability to simplify the complex without losing its substance.
• Executive Leadership & Team Building: You are a proven leader who knows how to scale a copy department, recruit top-tier talent, and foster an environment where writers can do the best work of their careers.
• Pitch-Winning Command: You love the thrill of the pitch. You can command a room, command a slide deck, and articulate a creative vision that makes clients say, "They completely get us."
• Business Acumen: You understand the intersection of creative copy, digital marketing metrics, and business objectives. You write with data, insights, and performance in mind.

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.

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 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.

Join the Highwire team

If you're inspired by the opportunity to shape meaningful stories and grow alongside a team that values innovation, accountability, and inclusion, apply below to start the conversation.

Please note: This posting may be used to build our talent pipeline, connect with top professionals in the industry, or extend reach across multiple locations. We welcome all interested candidates to apply and explore opportunities at Highwire!