Head of Enterprise Quality and Controls

WHO WE ARE:

Zinnia is the leading technology platform for accelerating life and annuities growth. With innovative enterprise solutions and data insights, Zinnia simplifies the experience of buying, selling, and administering insurance products. All of which enables more people to protect their financial futures. Our success is driven by a commitment to three core values: be bold, team up, deliver value – and that we do. Zinnia has over $180 billion in assets under administration, serves 100+ carrier clients, 2500 distributors and partners, and over 2 million policyholders.

WHO YOU ARE:

Zinnia is seeking a strategic and client-centered Head of Enterprise Quality and Controls to lead the design, integration, and governance of a next-generation control environment that underpins operational excellence, risk resilience, and regulatory assurance across the organization. This position is accountable for designing and sustaining a unified control architecture that safeguards performance across the enterprise, with a focus on delivering transparent, auditable, and value-generating outcomes for our life and annuity carrier partners

This leader will be responsible for orchestrating the integration of risk, quality, audit readiness, and process control across Zinnia’s technology platforms, operations, financial systems, and external engagements. As a steward of our Three Lines of Defense model, this executive will lead from the front in ensuring SOC 1 and SOC 2 compliance, proactively identifying enterprise risks, and embedding a culture of ownership, transparency, and accountability at scale.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Enterprise-Wide Control Governance

• Architect and operationalize a forward-looking, risk-aligned control framework that spans all critical business units, from operations, payment systems and platform integrations.
• Drive enterprise-wide adoption of a layered control model (preventive, detective, responsive), aligned with risk tolerance, regulatory expectations, and client assurance needs.

Audit & Regulatory Executive Leadership

• Serve as the executive lead for SOC 1 and SOC 2 engagements, overseeing evidence orchestration, walkthroughs, remediation execution, and direct coordination with external auditors.
• Ensure continuous readiness across control environments; partner with Internal Audit, Compliance, and Risk Management to proactively address control gaps and to communicate outcomes to clients and boards with transparency and confidence.

Operational Quality and Technology Integration

• Lead the automation and modernization of enterprise controls across platforms such as Zinnia Live, Zahara, PeopleSoft, and adjacent operational systems, including digital QA, predictive alerting, and error detection mechanisms

Three Lines of Defense Governance

• Serve as a steward of Zinnia’s Three Lines of Defense model, promoting clear ownership in the business (1st line), effective oversight from compliance and risk (2nd line), and independent audit assurance (3rd line).
• Drive cross-functional collaboration across risk, audit, compliance, and operations to align control design with client needs, regulatory requirements, and enterprise risk appetite.

Client Advocacy and Risk Transparency

• Represent Zinnia as a senior voice in control governance with life and annuity clients, translating operational quality and compliance maturity into competitive advantage and partner trust
• Lead the design of client-facing control communications, including readiness briefings, audit updates, and regulatory posture positioning
• Proactively shape industry dialogue around risk, transparency, and audit standards through Zinnia’s participation in governance bodies and client engagements

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• 15+ years of leadership in enterprise risk, regulatory compliance, internal audit, or operational quality, ideally with experience in financial services, insurance, or fintech
• Proven authority in managing external assurance frameworks (e.g., SOC 1/2, SOX, ISO 27001) at scale, with clear ownership of audit strategy, remediation execution, and external communication
• Sophisticated understanding of control tooling and automation platforms and how they integrate with business process and regulatory frameworks
• Demonstrated experience embedding Three Lines of Defense models in complex organizations, with strong RACI and governance acumen
• Exceptional communicator and relationship builder with executive presence. Able to inspire trust with clients, regulators, boards, and internal teams
• Lean Six Sigma, continuous improvement, or digital transformation background strongly preferred

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? 

Zinnia offers excellent career progression and competitive compensation. We offer great benefits, including health/dental insurance, parental leave, 401(k), incentive/bonus opportunity, tuition reimbursement, and so much more. The expected salary range for this position is $200,000-$230,000, dependent on skills and location. The salary range is a good faith estimate based on what a successful candidate might be paid in certain Company locations. All offers presented to candidates are carefully reviewed to ensure fair, equitable pay by offering competitive salaries that align with the individual’s skills, education, experience, training, and geographic location and may be above or below the stated amounts. We’re looking for the best and brightest innovators in the industry to join our team. At Zinnia, you collaborate with smart, creative professionals who are dedicated to delivering cutting-edge technologies, deeper data insights, and enhanced services to transform how insurance is done. Visit our website at www.zinnia.com for more information. Apply by completing the online application on the careers section of our website. We are an Equal Opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

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