Highwire is hiring: Senior Recruiter in Des Moines

Overview

We are looking for a Senior Recruiter to join Highwire’s People team and play a key role in scaling our talent strategy during an exciting period of growth. This individual will work closely with the Director of Talent Strategy to lead full-cycle recruitment, build and manage candidate pipelines, drive intern recruiting efforts, and ensure efficient recruiting operations.

This is a highly collaborative role that requires a deep understanding of the PR and marketing industry, a passion for sourcing and candidate experience, and a strategic mindset when it comes to process and data. The ideal candidate is proactive, organized, and thrives in a fast-paced agency environment — excited to help shape the future of talent at Highwire.

Key Responsibilities

• Full-Cycle Recruitment: Lead full-cycle recruitment for a variety of roles across the agency, including PR, integrated communications, digital, creative, and corporate functions.
• Partner with hiring managers to define job requirements, ideal candidate profiles, and interview strategies.
• Manage the interview process from kick-off through offer, ensuring timely and transparent communication with all stakeholders.
• Champion a best-in-class candidate experience that reflects Highwire’s values and culture.
• Provide strategic hiring guidance, market insights, and data to support decision-making.
• Sourcing & Pipelining: Develop and execute proactive sourcing strategies to identify and engage top-tier, diverse talent; build and maintain strong pipelines for current and future hiring needs across all levels.
• Use tools like LinkedIn Recruiter, Boolean search, networking, referrals, and events to engage passive talent.
• Track and analyze pipeline health and sourcing effectiveness to inform strategy.
• Recruitment Operations: Partner with the Director of Talent Strategy to ensure recruiting processes are efficient, scalable, and candidate-centric.
• Support the day-to-day use and optimization of the ATS, including ensuring data integrity and reporting accuracy.
• Assist in creating recruiting dashboards and metrics to support hiring decisions.
• Identify and recommend improvements to recruiting workflows, documentation, and candidate communications.
• Support DEI hiring initiatives through inclusive process design and data-informed strategies.
• Collaborate with the People team on initiatives related to employer branding, job descriptions, and hiring communications.
• Intern Recruitment Program: Own and manage all aspects of intern recruiting strategy and execution across the agency.
• Lead the end-to-end recruitment process for interns, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, and coordination.
• Build and maintain relationships with universities, career centers, and DEI-focused organizations to cultivate a strong, diverse talent pipeline.
• Ensure a seamless, engaging, and high-quality candidate experience throughout the intern hiring process.

What You Bring

• At least 5 years of recruiting experience, with a strong focus on hiring within agency PR, communications, or marketing environments.
• Proven success in both active and passive sourcing, with a strong track record of closing high-quality talent.
• Experience leading or playing a significant role in campus and internship recruiting programs.
• Solid understanding of recruiting operations and best practices, including hands-on experience with applicant tracking systems.
• Exceptional communication, organization, and relationship-building skills — you're a trusted partner to both hiring managers and candidates.
• A genuine passion for inclusive hiring practices and a strong commitment to delivering high-quality candidate experiences.

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
• Dog friendly work environment
• Extremely supportive, nurturing environment with many opportunities for learning and growth