About us: Highwire is a modern strategic communications and digital marketing agency designed for disruptive companies. We work with high-growth technology companies and established brands looking to reinvent themselves.

At Highwire, we believe that storytelling fuels transformation. And 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 every Highwire Walker has unique support to climb to success. Our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging is permanent and foundational to 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:

Inclusion Always

Growth Mindset

Team Empowerment

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.

We are based in San Francisco, with offices in New York and Chicago. We are open to hiring in the following states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C.

Highwire is seeking a strategic and dynamic Director, Talent Strategy to lead and elevate our recruitment, learning and development, resourcing/staffing, and internal communications initiatives. This role is critical in fostering Highwire’s growth by attracting top talent, enhancing our brand as an employer of choice, and supporting our team’s learning and development goals. Reporting directly to the Head of People, the Director of Talent Strategy will also collaborate with senior leadership to shape a compelling internal experience aligned with Highwire’s values, growth ambitions, and market position.

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment Strategy & Execution
Develop, lead, and optimize Highwire’s recruitment strategies to attract top-tier talent across all levels and ultimately responsible for pipeline generation across roles
Oversee the full-cycle recruitment process, ensuring a high-quality candidate experience
Support the growth and development of our recruiting team, which includes a Sr. Recruiter and dotted line oversight of our People Associate
Collaborate with hiring managers to forecast staffing needs, define role requirements, and create job descriptions that align with business objectives
Implement best-in-class interviewing structures and training that incorporate situational and behavioral-based questions, key weighted criteria for candidate assessment tied to core competencies, and structured processes to assess hiring success
Executive Recruitment
Lead executive recruitment efforts, identifying and engaging senior-level candidates who will advance Highwire’s strategic goals
Work closely with the Head of People and senior leadership on succession planning and leadership pipeline development
Employer Branding
Partner with the Head of People to build and enhance Highwire’s employer brand, positioning the company as an industry-leading workplace
Design and implement employer branding initiatives to showcase our culture, values, and career opportunities through social media, events, and digital platforms
Develop and maintain relationships with external partners to strengthen the visibility of Highwire’s brand within target talent communities
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Develop and implement DEI-focused recruitment strategies to attract and retain a diverse talent pool across all levels and practice groups
Work with the Head of People to embed DEI principles within hiring practices, ensuring unbiased candidate evaluation processes and equitable hiring standards
Partner with internal teams to create an inclusive environment that supports diverse talent retention, including implementing mentorship programs and career development opportunities
Track and report on diversity metrics in recruitment and retention, assessing progress toward DEI goals and adjusting strategies as needed
Resourcing and Staffing
Play a lead role in resourcing and staffing to ensure that talent acquisition plans meet the demands of each discipline
Work closely with practice group leaders to maintain proper staffing levels across all functions, supporting day-to-day work requirements and enabling succession planning
Develop processes to regularly assess staffing needs, identify gaps, and strategically align talent resources to meet evolving business priorities
Learning & Development Support
Partner with the Head of People to support the creation and delivery of learning and development programs that drive professional growth and career progression
Work to embed a culture of continuous learning and development within the organization
Internal Communications
Own and shape internal communications strategies to drive engagement, alignment, and transparency across Highwire’s teams
Partner with leaders across the business to share timely, relevant, and impactful communications that keep employees informed and motivated
Design and execute communications for key internal initiatives, such as town halls, leadership updates, and employee programs

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or commensurate experience
7+ years of experience in recruitment, talent strategy, or a related field, with a track record of success in executive recruitment and employer branding
At least 3 years of recruitment experience in the digital marketing, communications or advertising agency industries preferred
Proven experience in creating and leading DEI recruitment initiatives
Strong background in resourcing, staffing and workforce planning to support organizational needs
Experience in designing and implementing structured interviewing frameworks, including training on situational and behavioral-based questions
Knowledge of key competency-based assessment methods and ability to measure hiring success against role and organizational criteria
Experience supporting learning and development programs, with knowledge of L&D principles and practices
Excellent communication skills, with experience developing and delivering internal communications across various platforms
Ability to think strategically while executing tactically, with a focus on outcomes and impact
Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization
Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to evolving business needs

Highwire Perks

Competitive salary
Merit-based bonuses and promotions
Hybrid work model to suit your schedule and lifestyle
Excellent vacation policy including extended break for summer and winter holiday
Participate in Empower Hours on Fridays; Team has the ability to log off by 3pm
401K Match
Medical and dental benefits/ FSA
Paid Parental Leave
Commuter Benefit
Home office equipment stipend
Growth Mindset Stipend of $100 annually for books, exhibitions, etc
Technology reimbursement
Wellness benefit
Donation Match
Mentorship
Monthly recognition programs
Employee referral bonus
New business referral bonus
Quarterly Highwire fun events – Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday
Dog friendly work environment
Extremely supportive, nurturing environment with many opportunities for learning and growth

The duties delineated above will vary depending on the needs of each specific account, and in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. This individual will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisors.

We are actively seeking candidates who possess a genuine passion for tech PR and are excited to expand our team. As we continue to grow our agency, we are proactively building a pipeline of exceptional individuals to connect with and consider for future opportunities.

If you are enthusiastic about the world of tech PR and are eager to embark on a rewarding career in this field, we encourage you to start the conversation by applying today. We value your interest in our agency and look forward to hearing from you.

Apply now and let's explore the possibilities together!

Job Alert

If you have been targeted by a scammer, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission here. Highwire will not send recruiting-related emails from any other email domain name or variation other than @highwirepr.com. Highwire will never request your bank account, credit card, or credit score as part of our application process. If you receive a suspicious email not sent from a team member, specifically at our @highwirepr.com email address, or if you receive suspicious outreach on social media, please forward the communication to hwsecurity@highwirepr.com so that we can review and flag the fraudulent domain and user IDs for removal.

Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, knowledge, skills, other job-related qualifications, and geography.

Highwire jobs

Director, Talent Strategy