
Highwire is hiring: Art Director in San Francisco
Highwire, San Francisco, CA, United States
As Art Director , you will join our dynamic digital creative team, bringing your visual expertise to elevate Highwire's design work across diverse creative deliverables. Collaborating directly with our VP, Creative Director, and talented designers, strategists, content specialists, and account managers, you'll be at the forefront of creating impactful visuals for websites, social campaigns, videos, presentations, eBooks, and other digital content. Your eye for design will also play a pivotal role in guiding and inspiring our creative team, helping shape the evolution of Highwire's visual brand.
In this role, you'll be hands‑on in ideating and executing visually stunning concepts that align with strategic goals and captivate audiences. With a keen sense for detail and a passion for storytelling through design, you'll contribute to developing and refining creative processes while mentoring and fostering growth within the team. As part of our team, you can use your creativity, courage, curiosity, and expertly articulated creative thinking to push boundaries.
Key Responsibilities
Drive creative concepts across multiple touchpoints, crafting visually compelling designs aligned with strategic objectives.
Collaborate with creative, account, content, and client leads to deliver design solutions that resonate with client goals and audience needs.
Lead and mentor junior designers, fostering an environment of growth, experimentation, and continuous improvement.
Communicate design rationales effectively, adapting your approach for both creative and non‑creative audiences.
Oversee and contribute to the creation of diverse design assets, including digital and print collateral, social media assets, motion design, and interactive web elements.
Stay ahead of design trends and push boundaries in visual storytelling across digital platforms and customer touchpoints.
Establish and maintain brand kits and design libraries, ensuring consistency and high quality across all deliverables.
Balance hands‑on involvement with strategic oversight, ready to step in as needed to support design production and execution.
Assist, as needed, with new business development design concepts and production.
Success Factors
A portfolio showcasing exceptional visual design and art direction skills, reflecting a strong understanding of design principles and a variety of work across creative deliverables such as brand development, web and social media campaigns.
Commitment to project management and design operations that can shape, grow and scale the teams.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in an agency environment in an art direction or creative leadership role.
Proven ability to conceptualize and execute impactful visual storytelling that aligns with strategic goals.
Proficiency in fundamental design software including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Figma; knowledge of Adobe Premiere or After Effects is a plus.
Strong grasp of UX/UI principles, with experience creating user‑centered designs for web and digital platforms.
Deep interest in ever‑changing social trends and desire to leverage social media platforms to optimize content.
Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment, prioritize effectively, and manage time across multiple projects.
Up‑to‑date with current design trends and digital innovation, with an innate curiosity to explore and adopt new ideas.
A deep knowledge of animation, storyboarding, and concepts for motion, especially on social.
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 well‑being and growth.
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 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:
Team Empowerment
Growth Mindset
Inclusion Always
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.
Highwire. Above all.
Our people‑first culture is reflected in the meaningful benefits, flexibility, and support we offer:
Competitive salary with merit‑based opportunities for growth
Flexible hybrid work model tailored to your schedule and lifestyle
Generous vacation policy, including extended summer and winter breaks
Early log‑off 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 benefits
Commuter benefits
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 celebrationsEmployee referral and new business referral bonuses
Quarterly Highwire events and team gatherings
Dog‑friendly office environment
A supportive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace where you can grow and do your best work
Location & Work Environment
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 in‑office days per week.
Remote: We hire for fully remote roles in the following states: 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.
Please note: We are only able to consider candidates who reside in one of the locations listed above at the time of hire.
Join the Highwire team
If you're inspired by the opportunity to shape meaningful stories and grow alongside a team that values innovation, accountability, and inclusion, apply below to start the conversation.
Please note: This posting may be used to build our talent pipeline, connect with top professionals in the industry, or extend reach across multiple locations. We welcome all interested candidates to apply and explore opportunities at Highwire!
#J-18808-Ljbffr
In Summary: As Art Director, you'll be at the forefront of creating impactful visuals for websites, social campaigns, videos, presentations, eBooks, and other digital content . You'll be hands‑on in ideating and executing visually stunning concepts that align with strategic goals and captivate audiences .
En Español: Como Director de Arte , se unirá a nuestro dinámico equipo creativo digital, trayendo su experiencia visual para elevar el trabajo de diseño de Highwire en diversos productos creativos. Colaborando directamente con nuestro vicepresidente, director creativo y diseñadores talentosos, estrategas, especialistas en contenido y gerentes de cuentas, estará a la vanguardia de la creación de imágenes impactantes para sitios web, campañas sociales, videos, presentaciones, libros electrónicos y otros contenidos digitales. Como parte de nuestro equipo, puede usar su creatividad, coraje, curiosidad y pensamiento creativo articulado por expertos para empujar los límites. Comunicación racional del diseño eficazmente, adaptando tu enfoque tanto a audiencias creativas como no creativas. Crear diseños visualmente atractivos alineados con objetivos estratégicos. Colaborar con la creación, cuenta, contenido y cliente conduce a ofrecer soluciones de diseño que resuenan con las metas y necesidades del público. Diseñadores juveniles líderes y mentores, promoviendo un entorno de crecimiento, experimentación y mejora continua. Comunicar razonablemente el diseño racional en forma efectiva, adaptado a tus enfoques tanto para públicos creativos como no-creativos. Supervisar y contribuir a la creación de diversos activos de diseña, incluidos materiales digitales e impresos, activos de redes sociales, diseño de contenidos e elementos interactivos. Mantenerse al día con las plataformas de producción creativas y impulsar rápidamente fronteras en la gestión de historias y proyectos de arte digital. Desarrollar y desarrollar nuevas tecnologías tecnológicas es una tarea muy importante para mejorar la capacidad de los usuarios, así como capacidades de diseñar, crear y ejecutir sus propias marcas o construir nuevos medios de comunicación social. Este papel también incluye un paquete de beneficios competitivos con cobertura médica, odontológica y visual, compatibilidad 401 (k), tiempo libre remunerado generoso y ventajas adicionales diseñadas para apoyar su bienestar general y crecimiento. Sobre Highwire Highwire es una agencia de comunicaciones estratégicas de marketing en la intersección de innovación e industria. Nos asociamos con empresas ambiciosas y marcas establecidas para navegar por la complejidad, liderar mercados y crecer con propósito. Con experiencia integrada en comunicación estratégica, creatividad e información, cortamos el ruido para ofrecer ideas audaces y impacto medible a través de tecnología B2B, atención médica, seguridad cibernética, energía y sostenibilidad, servicios profesionales y financieros, etc. En Highwire, creemos que contar historias alimenta la transformación. Y las historias más impactantes representan todas las voces y perspectivas sexuales seguras. Como agencia líder, fomentamos un entorno inclusivo donde cada persona puede sentirse digna, respetar sus valores sociales, promover la diversidad sexual, dar valor a nuestra cultura, fomentar la inclusión de género y los derechos humanos, así como asegurarnos de que todos se encuentren comprometidos a formar y respaldar nuestras culturas sexualidades individuales. Aspiramos a cambiar nuestra industria y construir un futuro mejor para todos. Nuestra cultura de la gente está impulsada por cuatro valores fundamentales: Inclución del crecimiento en equipo, inclusión mental siempre feroz Diferencia buscamos personas con grandes ideas, opiniones fuertes y energía para darlas vida. Si prosperas en un entorno que valora la responsabilidad personal, los altos estándares y una motivación ilimitada, esta es la oportunidad para ti. Sobre todo. Nuestra cultura de la gente se refleja en los beneficios significativos, flexibilidad y apoyo que ofrecemos: Salario competitivo con oportunidades de crecimiento basadas en el mérito Modelo de trabajo híbrido flexible adaptado a su horario y estilo de vida Política de vacaciones generosas, incluidos descansos prolongados de verano e invierno Registro temprano los viernes a través de nuestro programa Empower Hours 401k) plan con empleador coincidiendo cobertura médica integral, dental y visión, además de opciones FSA Beneficios del permiso parental pagado Beneficias de comunicación Anuales Crecimiento Mindset Bequeño para libros, eventos o experiencias de aprendizaje Reembolso tecnológico Mensual Programa de inclusión Bienestar mental y Ohio Donación coincide con programas Mentoría y oportunidades de desarrollo profesional crecer Reconocimiento mensual y celebraciones del equipo Los profesionales recoger bonificaciones por remoto referencia y nuevas empresas de referencia Cuartel de mano de obra y conversación pueden seguir las siguientes líneas telefónico Las mejores alternativas disponibles son: ¡Damos la bienvenida a todos los candidatos interesados para solicitar y explorar oportunidades en Highwire! #J-18808-Ljbffr.