Director, Talent Strategy

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:

1. Inclusion Always
2. Growth Mindset
3. Team Empowerment
4. 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, Michigan, 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