Associate Director Data Analytics

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 We are seeking a highly motivated Associate Director - Data Analytics with strong technical expertise, business acumen, and strategic problem‑solving abilities. In this role, you will independently own and drive analytics initiatives within the Operations team, translating data into actionable insights that improve efficiency, decision‑making, and key business KPIs. You will work closely with stakeholders across Operations, Product, Data Engineering, and Business Strategy to identify opportunities for process optimization, automate decision‑making, and create scalable analytics frameworks. This is a high‑impact management role that requires both deep analytical skills and the ability to influence business strategy through data. WHAT YOU’LL DO Lead Operations Analytics: Lead a team of data analysts and own the Zinnia Operations Analytics vision. Drive analytics strategy: Independently own and drive key analytics initiatives in Operations, proactively identifying areas for efficiency improvements and cost optimization. Advanced analytics & measurement: Move beyond basic dashboards and leverage inferential modeling, causal analysis, and experimental design to generate actionable insights. Experimentation & testing: Design and implement A/B tests to measure the impact of operational improvements, optimizing key processes such as fraud detection, customer interactions, and compliance. Operational KPIs & business impact: Develop frameworks to measure Turnaround Time (TAT), Cost Per Transaction, SLA adherence, and other key operational metrics, ensuring data‑driven decision‑making. Data storytelling & visualization: Translate complex data insights into clear, actionable recommendations using visual storytelling techniques in Power BI and other visualization tools. Cross‑functional collaboration: Work closely with stakeholders across Operations, Data Engineering, and Product to align analytics initiatives with business needs. Scalability & automation: Partner with Data Engineering to enhance data pipelines, data models, and automation efforts that improve efficiency and reduce manual work. Thought leadership & best practices: Drive data analysis best practices and mentor junior analysts, fostering a culture of analytical rigor and excellence. WHAT YOU’LL NEED 8+ years of experience in data analytics, with a focus on Operations, Business Strategy, or Process Optimization. Expertise in SQL, Python and a strong ability to work with relational cloud databases (Redshift, BigQuery, Snowflake) and unstructured datasets. Experience designing A/B tests and experimentation frameworks to drive operational improvements. Strong statistical knowledge, including regression analysis, time‑series forecasting, and causal inference modeling. Experience in operations analytics such as workforce efficiency, process optimization, risk modeling, and compliance analytics. Hands‑on experience with data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, Looker) and the ability to present insights effectively to leadership. Ability to work independently, take ownership of projects, and influence business decisions through data‑driven recommendations. Strong problem‑solving skills and a proactive mindset to identify business opportunities using data. Bonus Points If You Have Experience with ML/AI applications in operational efficiency (e.g., anomaly detection, predictive modeling, workforce automation). Familiarity with event‑tracking frameworks and behavioral analytics. Strong data storytelling skills—can translate complex data into concise, compelling narratives. Prior experience in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment with a focus on scaling data analytics. WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? 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. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr