Director – Talent Strategy

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