Vice President, Media Relations

Colorado, United States;
Illinois, United States;
Maryland, United States;
Washington, District of Columbia, United States;
Washington, United States

The Vice President, Media Relations 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.
• 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.

• 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…