Senior Vice President, Media Relations

Chicago, IL (Remote)

$175K/yr – $225K/yrSenior Level12+ years expFull time

Posted 3 weeks ago

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Job Summary

Own high impact earned media for marquee accounts, guiding narrative, crisis counsel, and executive visibility with a non-stop focus on business outcomes.

  • Senior media strategy: Align storytelling, journalist relationships, and thought leadership with client objectives and high stakes programs.
  • Executive counsel: Advise C-suite on narrative, positioning, and reputation across crises, launches, and complex initiatives.
  • Storytelling excellence: Shape integrated, data-informed media plans and mentor teams to deliver measurable impact across strategy, content, and channels.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • 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.

Requirements

  • 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.

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
  • 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
Highwire logo

Highwire

Highwire is a strategic marketing communications agency built at the intersection of innovation and industry.We help ambitious brands navigate complexity, lead markets, and grow with purpose. With integrated capabilities across strategic marketing communications, creative, and insights, we bring clarity where there’s noise – and influence where it matters most.Our team operates at the speed of change, delivering bold ideas and measurable impact across B2B tech, healthcare, cybersecurity, energy, financial services, and beyond.Whether you’re preparing for IPO, entering a new market, or reshaping your category, we’re the partner that helps you rise above.Highwire. Above all.

San Francisco, California, USA
184 employees (40 in marketing)

Traffic Signals

Monthly Visitors
9.4K
Traffic Source Mix
Search
38.4%
Direct
41.9%
Referral
6.3%
Social
11.6%
Paid
1.5%

Headcount Trend

Current headcount: ~184

Marketing Team

Marketing Team Size
33 (18% of company)
Median Career Experience
8.5 years
Median Tenure
2.3 years
Marketing Roles Posted (Last 30 Days)
8

Funding

Last Raise
Private Equity, 4 years ago

Funding History

  • Sep 2022
    Private Equity

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