Senior Account Executive, Public Relations (Cybersecurity)

Highwire is seeking a Senior Account Executive to join its Cybersecurity PR team, helping clients translate complex security developments into media-ready narratives. In this hybrid role based in Boston, you will lead tactical PR programs across media relations, analyst engagement, thought leadership, and high-impact writing, while tracking performance and coordinating with cross-functional partners.

What you will do

• Own the tactical execution of cybersecurity-focused PR program elements, including media relations, analyst engagement, thought leadership, speaking, and content.
• Lead weekly client calls, deliver strategic counsel, and act as a trusted point of contact during sensitive or reactive news cycles.
• Manage projects end-to-end from kickoff through execution, ensuring deliverables stay aligned to broader strategic goals.
• Develop quarterly cybersecurity campaign plans using industry trends, breaking news, and creative angles.
• Monitor the threat landscape, competitors, and relevant regulatory developments to identify timely commentary opportunities.
• Support client media training, including message development and session follow-up.
• Help develop budgets and allocate team resources as client needs evolve.
• Lead media strategy and execution for cybersecurity clients with strong existing relationships across 10+ business, trade, and cybersecurity reporters.
• Craft and deliver proactive pitches that drive high-quality coverage and thought leadership.
• Identify new media trends, outlets, and journalists relevant to security, sharing insights across the agency.
• Drive and support influencer engagement, content campaigns, and amplification across digital and social platforms.
• Use social channels to increase client visibility and executive voice while supporting broader narrative efforts.
• Measure and communicate the ROI of PR programs using analytics to optimize ongoing initiatives.
• Coach junior staff on cybersecurity-specific media strategies and relationship building.
• Write and edit cybersecurity-focused content, including thought leadership articles, press releases, and contributed pieces, plus speaking abstracts, award nominations, analyst briefings, media pitches, briefing books, backgrounders, and internal client materials.
• Ensure content reflects technical accuracy, industry nuance, and journalistic relevance, and create narratives that connect technical topics to media and business audiences.
• Lead results reporting and campaign measurement, clearly articulating outcomes and PR value to clients.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure integrated service delivery, especially around AI, design, content, and social media.
• Identify and adopt AI tools that support campaign precision, speed, and efficiency.
• Contribute to new business by supporting background research and pitch participation.
• Write for Highwire’s blog and engage with the agency’s social channels to share cybersecurity insights and wins.
• Attend and encourage participation in security conferences, networking events, and relevant meetups.
• Help improve agency culture, workflows, and team growth with thoughtful ideas.
• Set and track quarterly goals with your manager to support career development.
• Prioritize tasks effectively to meet client goals and internal expectations, demonstrate independence with minimal oversight, and communicate clearly when priorities shift.
• Seek feedback and act on it as part of a continuous improvement mindset, consistently meet deadlines, and stay current on cybersecurity news, industry changes, and media trends.

Required experience

• 3–5 years of PR/communications experience in an agency setting (required).
• Direct experience working with cybersecurity clients or within the security industry.
• Strong media relationships across tech, business, and security trades (examples include Wired, TechCrunch, CyberScoop, SC Magazine, Dark Reading, Axios).
• Ability to understand and translate complex cybersecurity topics into compelling media narratives.
• Excellent writing, editing, and content development skills.
• Experience managing client communications, priorities, and deliverables.
• Confidence using analytics tools and reporting performance metrics.
• A collaborative, curious, client-first mindset.

Compensation

• USD 63,000 - 90,000 per year

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package with medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) matching
• Generous paid time off
• Flexible hybrid work model tailored to your schedule and lifestyle
• Empower Hours with early log-off on Fridays
• FSA options
• Paid parental leave benefits
• Commuter benefits
• Annual Growth Mindset stipend for books, events, or learning experiences
• Monthly technology reimbursement
• Wellness benefit program for mental and physical health
• 501c3 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
• Dog-friendly office environment
• Supportive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace where you can grow and do your best work

Work location

• Boston, MA (hybrid)
• Highwire offers remote and hybrid options depending on where you live.
• Hybrid: Candidates within commuting distance of Highwire’s New York, NY or San Francisco, CA offices follow a schedule with three in-office days per week.
• Remote: Fully remote roles are available in: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, D.C.
• Highwire can only consider candidates who reside in one of the listed locations at the time of hire.