Vice President, Public Relations (Health)

San Francisco, CA (Hybrid)

$130K/yr – $195K/yrDirector/Executive10+ years expFull time

Posted 3 months ago

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Job Summary

Lead strategic health communications for a top-tier portfolio, guiding integrated campaigns and executive visibility across life sciences and health tech.

  • Must-have: Own and shape integrated health-communications programs for key accounts.
  • Standout: 10+ years of PR or strategic communications experience with agency leadership in health.

Job Description

Lead strategic health communications for a top-tier portfolio, guiding integrated campaigns and executive visibility across life sciences and health tech.

  • Own and shape integrated health-communications programs for key accounts.
  • Advise clients across life sciences, specialty pharma, biotechnology, rare disease, clinical trials, medtech, health technology, medical devices, diagnostics, digital health platforms, pharmacy, senior care, Medicaid/Medicare, and health services.
  • Define and oversee integrated communications strategies that build brand authority, trust, and long-term market leadership in a highly regulated and mission-driven industry.
  • Provide executive-level counsel on messaging, positioning, reputation management, issues and crisis response, and science-to-story narratives.
  • Guide teams in translating complex clinical, scientific, and health technology concepts into clear, compelling, and business-relevant stories for executive, clinical, patient, and mainstream audiences.
  • Own senior client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor and escalation point while ensuring client satisfaction, retention, and expansion.
  • Identify and drive organic growth opportunities across existing accounts, including expanded thought leadership, research-driven storytelling, and executive visibility programs.
  • Oversee financial performance for assigned accounts, including budgets, forecasting, staffing models, and margin management.
  • Contribute to Highwire's point of view on health industry trends, clinical innovation, regulatory developments, and market shifts across life sciences, health tech, and the business of health.
  • Maintain and deepen relationships with top-tier health, science, trade, business, and policy media, as well as analysts and key industry influencers.

Requirements

  • 10+ years of PR or strategic communications experience, with significant agency leadership experience (required)
  • Deep expertise leading communications for health companies, including life sciences, specialty pharma, biotech, medtech, digital health, or health services
  • Demonstrated experience providing executive-level client counsel and managing senior stakeholder relationships, including C-suite and board-level engagement
  • Experience with forecasting, resourcing, and revenue growth

Nice To Have

  • 10+ years of PR or strategic communications experience, with significant agency leadership experience (required)
  • Deep expertise leading communications for health companies, including life sciences, specialty pharma, biotech, medtech, digital health, or health services
  • Proven success owning and scaling integrated communications programs for complex, high-growth health and life sciences clients
  • Strong command of the health media landscape, analyst community, patient advocacy groups, and industry influencers
  • Solid understanding of the regulatory and compliance environment governing health communications, including FDA, FTC, HIPAA, and relevant industry codes
  • Exceptional strategic writing, editing, and storytelling capabilities, with the ability to translate science into narrative
  • Demonstrated experience providing executive-level client counsel and managing senior stakeholder relationships, including C-suite and board-level engagement
  • Track record of building, mentoring, and retaining high-performing teams
  • Strong business acumen, including experience with forecasting, resourcing, and revenue growth
  • Experience supporting and winning new business in a competitive agency environment
  • Confident, collaborative, and decisive leader with a passion for health innovation and improving patient and population outcomes
  • Thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment while balancing strategic and operational priorities

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
  • 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
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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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