Account Director (Cybersecurity) San Francisco, California, United States (San F

About Highwire

Highwire is a strategic marketing communications agency at the intersection of innovation and industry. We partner with ambitious companies and established brands to navigate complexity, lead markets, and grow with purpose. With integrated expertise in strategic communications, creative, and insights, we cut through the noise to deliver bold ideas and measurable impact across B2B technology, healthcare, cybersecurity, energy and sustainability, professional and financial services, and more.

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 everyoneregardless of age, race/ethnicity, size, shape, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and different abilitiescan 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:

• Team Empowerment
• Growth Mindset
• Inclusion Always
• Fierce Distinction

Were 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.

Position Overview

As an Account Director on Highwires Cybersecurity team, youll be a strategic leader driving highimpact communications programs for industryleading and emerging cybersecurity brands. You will oversee 45 account teams, guide clients on positioning, storytelling, and visibility, and ensure the consistent delivery of exceptional results.

This is a senior opportunity for a creative, strategic thinker with 7+ years of agency experience and a deep understanding of the cybersecurity landscape. Youll mentor teams, build trusted client partnerships, and play a key role in agency growth and thought leadership.

What Youll Do

• Lead cybersecurity clients across threat intelligence, cloud security, identity management, incident response, infrastructure protection, and security operations.
• Develop integrated communications strategies that build brand credibility, market leadership, and trust essential in the cybersecurity industry.
• Provide seniorlevel counsel on messaging, positioning, riskoriented narratives, and media engagement strategies.
• Translate complex cybersecurity concepts into compelling, businessrelevant stories that resonate with technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Serve as a senior client lead, ensuring deliverables meet or exceed expectations.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for organic growth within existing accounts.
• Partner with clients on executive visibility, thought leadership, vulnerability response communications, and researchdriven storytelling initiatives.
• Manage budgets, forecast hours, and ensure efficient resource allocation across teams.

Media & Influencer Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with toptier business, cybersecurity, privacy, and technology media.
• Drive thought leadership programs grounded in security research, emerging threats, and market trends.
• Oversee datadriven, vulnerabilitybased, and trendbased pitches to secure meaningful coverage.
• Leverage digital and social channels to expand reach of threat research, product news, and executive commentary.
• Stay ahead of threat landscapes, regulatory changes, and security trends to provide proactive strategic recommendations.

Agency Operations & Leadership

• Manage 34 direct reports, providing mentorship, guidance, and feedback.
• Support new business opportunities from ideation to pitch presentation.
• Contribute to agency marketing initiatives, such as award submissions, case studies, and cybersecurity research promotions.
• Champion Highwires culture of inclusion, empowerment, and collaboration.
• Represent Highwire at cybersecurity industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities (e.g., RSA, Black Hat, regional security summits).

What You Bring

• 7+ years of PR or communications experience in an agency environment.
• Deep experience working with cybersecurity clients threat intel, SaaS security, network defense, identity, cloud security, or SOC tools.
• Proven success developing and executing integrated PR and communications programs.
• Strong understanding of the cybersecurity media landscape, security analyst community, and industry influencers.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Strategic leadership and client management experience.
• Established media relationships and a passion for cybersecurity innovation.
• Experience managing and mentoring highperforming teams.
• Strong business acumen and ability to identify growth opportunities.
• Creative, collaborative, and confident communicator who thrives in a fastpaced environment.

The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $150,000, with the final offer based on a combination of factors, including education, relevant experience, skills, prior training, internal equity, and local geographic market data. This role also includes a competitive benefits package with medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) matching, generous paid time off, and additional perks designed to support your overall wellbeing and growth. #LI-Hybrid

Highwire offers both remote and hybrid work options, depending on where you live.

Hybrid: Candidates located within commuting distance of our New York, NY or San Francisco, CA offices follow a hybrid schedule, with two inoffice days per week.

Remote: We hire for fully remote roles in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C.

Please note: We are only able to consider candidates who reside in one of the locations listed above at the time of hire.

Our peoplefirst culture is reflected in the meaningful benefits, flexibility, and support we offer:

• Competitive salary with meritbased opportunities for growth
• Flexible hybrid work model tailored to your schedule and lifestyle
• Generous vacation policy, including extended summer and winter breaks
• Early logoff 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
• Home office equipment stipend
• 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
• Dogfriendly office environment
• A supportive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace where you can grow and do your best work

U.S. Standard Demographic Questions

We invite applicants to share their demographic background. If you choose to complete this survey, your responses may be used to identify areas of improvement in our hiring process.

How would you describe your gender identity?

How would you describe your racial/ethnic background?

How would you describe your sexual orientation?

Do you identify as transgender?

Do you have a disability or chronic condition (physical, visual, auditory, cognitive, mental, emotional, or other) that substantially limits one or more of your major life activities, including mobility, communication (seeing, hearing, speaking), and learning?

Are you a veteran or active member of the United States Armed Forces?

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below selfidentification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Highwires Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A disabled veteran is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who, but for the receipt of military retired pay, would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who wa]]> <