Associate Director of Communications

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Associate Director of Communications

🔹 Company: Zinnia

🔹 Location: Greenwich, Connecticut, United States

🔹 Job Type: On-site

🔹 Category: Communications, Corporate

🔹 Date Posted: May 1, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading transformative communication strategies to drive employee engagement
• Partnering with key stakeholders to craft compelling messages that resonate with employees
• Managing the editorial calendar and creating engaging content across various formats
• Juggling multiple projects in a dynamic, ever-evolving environment
• Analyzing communications performance and identifying measurements for improvement

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication skills, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. It is ideal for someone who is passionate about change management and creative problem-solving.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Be the trusted communications partner to internal teams, crafting impactful narratives that connect key moments into inspiring, big-picture strategies

✅ Create sharp, engaging content across formats — from articles to scripts to Slack — that informs, aligns, and inspires

✅ Manage the editorial calendar, weaving in diverse perspectives from global teams to tell a unified story

✅ Craft compelling newsletter content that keeps employees informed, energized, and connected

✅ Juggle fast-moving priorities with ease — keeping multiple projects on track in a dynamic, ever-evolving environment

✅ Identify measurements for communications-related materials and routinely analyze communications performance

✅ Lead with collaboration — leveraging tools and touchpoints to keep teams aligned, engaged, and in-the-know

✅ Understand and translate the Zinnia brand and style guidelines into a clear, confident, and human voice

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of collaboration and requires strong project management skills to ensure clear communication across the organization.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, or a related field

Experience: 10+ years of writing/editing/proofreading experience in corporate communications, journalism, publishing, public relations, marketing, or related field

Required Skills:

• Conceptual, creative thinker with a passion for researching, writing, story-telling, and the willingness to learn from others
• Fintech or Insuretech experience or a closely related field
• Flexibility to change communication strategies as the business requires
• Ability to structure and conduct interviews and other fact-finding research efforts and synthesize findings into key points
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Experience in dealing with executive and senior leaders
• Experience in a corporate environment
• High attention to detail and accuracy

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in a fast-paced, evolving environment

ASSUMPTION: Given the nature of the role, candidates with a strong background in corporate communications and experience in fintech or insuretech are likely to be the best fit.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $180,000 (Based on industry standards for a Director-level role in corporate communications with 10+ years of experience in the fintech or insuretech industry in the Greenwich, CT area)

Benefits:

• Health/Dental Insurance
• Parental Leave
• 401(k)
• Incentive/Bonus Opportunity
• Tuition Reimbursement

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for similar roles in the Greenwich, CT area. The benefits listed are based on the information provided in the job description.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Software Development, specifically focused on Life Insurance and Annuity Administration, Agent Licensing & Commissions, Digital Operations, and Digital Transformation

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees, which means a mid-sized company structure with opportunities for growth and diverse teams

Founded: 2005, with over 15 years of experience in the industry

Company Description:

• Zinnia simplifies L&A insurance by delivering comprehensive technology solutions for the industry’s most critical needs
• Enables carriers and distributors to build, sell, and service insurance, helping more people get the coverage they need and the service they deserve
• Backed by funds managed by KKR and Vista Credit Partners, leading global investment firms

Company Specialties:

• Life Insurance Software
• Life Insurance and Annuity Administration
• Agent Licensing & Commissions
• Digital Operations
• Digital Transformation

Company Website: https://zinnia.com/

ASSUMPTION: Zinnia is a well-established company in the software development industry, with a focus on life insurance and annuity administration. Its size and backing by leading investment firms indicate stability and growth potential.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Director-level role, reporting directly to senior leadership within the communications department

Reporting Structure: This role will report directly to the Vice President of Communications or a similar senior-level position

Work Arrangement: Hybrid work arrangement, with a mix of on-site and remote work

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow into a more senior role within the communications department as the company continues to expand
• Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives that drive business transformation
• Chance to develop leadership skills and mentor junior team members

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential, given Zinnia's size and focus on business transformation. Candidates can expect to work on high-impact projects and have opportunities to develop their leadership skills.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, with a mix of on-site and remote work

Office Location(s): Greenwich, CT (600 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, CT 06830, US)

Geographic Context:

• Greenwich, CT is a suburban town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut
• Offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with easy access to New York City
• Known for its high quality of life, excellent schools, and vibrant community

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work environment offers a good balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility. Greenwich, CT provides a high quality of life and easy access to New York City.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR department
• In-depth interview with the hiring manager or a panel of stakeholders
• Final round interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication skills and ability to craft compelling narratives
• Project management and organizational skills
• Adaptability and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Alignment with Zinnia's core values (be bold, team up, deliver value)

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of Zinnia's business and the role's requirements in your application materials
• Prepare examples of your communication work, such as articles, newsletters, or presentations, to showcase your skills during the interview

ATS Keywords: Corporate Communications, Change Management, Employee Engagement, Content Creation, Storytelling, Editorial Calendar, Project Management, Collaboration, Executive Communication, Senior Leadership

ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's communication skills, project management abilities, and cultural fit with Zinnia's core values. Tailoring application materials to the role's requirements and demonstrating relevant experience will be crucial for success.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Slack or similar team communication platforms
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
• Content creation and design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for corporate communications professionals. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools is essential, while experience with content creation and design tools is a plus.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Be Bold: Embrace innovation and take calculated risks to drive business transformation
• Team Up: Collaborate effectively with internal teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals
• Deliver Value: Focus on delivering results that make a meaningful impact on the business

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Collaborative and team-oriented culture
• Focus on driving business transformation through effective communication

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment?
• Are you comfortable working with senior leadership and executive teams?
• Do you have a proven track record of driving employee engagement through effective communication?

ASSUMPTION: Zinnia values candidates who are bold, collaborative, and focused on delivering value. Prospective applicants should assess their fit with these core values and work style preferences before applying.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Adapting to a dynamic, evolving business landscape
• Working with diverse global teams and stakeholders
• Balancing the need for clear, concise communication with the complexity of business transformation initiatives

ASSUMPTION: The fast-paced, evolving nature of the role and the need to balance clarity with complexity may present challenges for some candidates. Strong project management and communication skills will be essential for success in this role.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike traditional corporate communications roles, this position focuses heavily on driving business transformation through effective communication
• Experience in fintech or insuretech is preferred, as the role requires a deep understanding of the industry and its unique challenges
• This role offers significant growth potential, as Zinnia continues to expand and transform its business

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on driving business transformation through communication. Candidates with relevant industry experience and a strong background in corporate communications are likely to be the best fit.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive communication strategy to support a major business transformation initiative
• Crafting engaging content for a global employee newsletter that keeps employees informed, energized, and connected
• Managing the editorial calendar for a series of high-impact communication campaigns that drive employee engagement and alignment with business objectives

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the high-impact, strategic nature of the role and the importance of effective communication in driving business transformation.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current state of Zinnia's business transformation initiatives and how this role will support them?
• How does this role collaborate with other departments, such as Marketing and People, to ensure consistent and effective communication across the organization?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Zinnia support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the communications department?
• What is the work-life balance like for this role, given the hybrid work arrangement and the fast-paced nature of the business?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role's requirements, the company's business transformation initiatives, and the work-life balance expectations for this position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: https://zinnia.com/careers/
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare examples of your communication work, such as articles, newsletters, or presentations, to showcase your skills during the interview
• Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about the next steps in the interview process

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.