Director of External Communications

Senior communications leader with deep expertise across corporate, consumer, executive, and issues communications, capable of shaping a differentiated US narrative while moving seamlessly between strategic counsel and hands‑on execution. Brings strong public‑company and regulated‑industry experience, ideally across fintech, payments, or financial services, with expertise in top‑tier media relations, executive thought leadership, crisis communications, and complex or market‑sensitive communications. US remote opportunity with significant cross‑functional exposure to senior leadership and the opportunity to build Zip’s external communications strategy as the business evolves from a single‑product BNPL company into a broader multi‑product platform. Start your adventure with Zip Zip is entering its next phase of growth as it expands from a single-product business to a multi-product platform. We are looking for a Director, External Communications to shape a clear, credible story about Zip, our products, and the customers and merchants we serve. This is a senior, US‑led role best suited for a communications leader who can move comfortably between the boardroom and the newsroom, reporting to the Chief Customer & Marketing Officer. This isn’t a traditional PR role. You’d own our relationships with reports, but also how Zip shows up in the conversations that influence awareness, trust, and consideration with podcasters, substackers, and influencers who move consumer opinion. You will lead Zip’s external communications function, including accountability for corporate, consumer, executive, and issues communications, owning the strategy, organization, and outcomes required to strengthen the company’s reputation while building the systems that make communications more consistent, timely, and effective. You will partner closely with Investor Relations, Legal, Finance, Marketing, Product, Growth, People, and regional communications leaders. The role will help Zip prepare for public‑company milestones and communicate with the discipline expected of a company with public‑market stakeholders. If you can help us turn our story and products into something a host wants to run live, let’s chat Interesting problems you’ll get to solve US External Communications Strategy & Narrative Build and execute an integrated US external communications strategy that connects Zip’s business priorities, financial performance, products, customer value, innovation, and responsible growth. Develop and govern a differentiated US corporate narrative and external positioning that strengthens how Zip shows up with customers, media, investors, and other external stakeholders. Partner with Brand, Marketing, Product, Growth, and other teams to ensure earned, owned, executive, and product communications reinforce one another. Identify and accelerate storytelling opportunities across the business, turning product launches, partnerships, customer insights, company milestones, and relevant industry moments into credible external stories. Media Relations & Earned Visibility Own the quality and consistency of Zip’s earned‑media strategy and performance across financial, business, technology, fintech, payments, and consumer outlets. Build proactive media programs and meaningful relationships with top‑tier reporters and editors. Identify the stories, data, executives, and industry moments that can differentiate Zip and increase its relevance in US conversations. Manage inbound and proactive media opportunities, intervening directly on the most material or sensitive matters and ensuring external communications are timely, accurate, and aligned with Zip’s broader narrative. Financial & Public Company Communications Ensure Communications has an early seat at the table for major business decisions, launches, partnerships, financial milestones, and other developments with external implications. Own Communications’ role in and partner closely with Investor Relations, Finance, and Legal on earnings communications, public disclosures, executive messaging, market‑sensitive announcements, and other public‑company milestones. Support communications planning and readiness for a potential Nasdaq listing and related US capital‑markets activity. Translate complex financial and business developments into clear, credible external messaging while maintaining appropriate disclosure and review processes. Executive Communications & Thought Leadership Build comprehensive thought‑leadership platforms for Zip executives that align with company strategy and areas where Zip can credibly contribute to external conversations. Identify and secure earned‑media, speaking, and other high‑impact opportunities that increase executive and company visibility. Advise and prepare executives for interviews, speaking engagements, major announcements, and other high‑visibility external moments. Develop briefing materials, talking points, speeches, opinion pieces, social content, and other executive communications as needed. Reputation & Issues Management Strengthen Zip’s readiness for reputational issues and fast‑moving external events by owning the US crisis communications framework to include clear escalation paths, scenario planning, communications protocols, and executive preparation. Partner across Legal, Risk, Investor Relations, Customer Experience, Product, and other teams to ensure external responses are accurate, coordinated, and appropriately calibrated. Monitor emerging external conversations and business developments to identify potential reputational risks and opportunities early. Lead communications strategy for complex or sensitive communications moments with clear recommendations on options, trade‑offs, and sound judgment. Communications Operations & Global Alignment Establish an operating model for external communications including a clear intake and QA process for external communications, with defined owners, timelines, required reviewers, and escalation points. Create practical handoffs across US external communications, internal communications, ANZ, and regional teams so each audience has a clear owner and shared messages remain aligned. Coordinate with ANZ and regional communications leads on shared narratives, global announcements, and cross‑border issues, while regional teams retain ownership of local‑market media activity. Manage agencies and external partners’ performance; establish measurable goals, and use media quality, message pull‑through, reputation, and business impact to continuously improve the program. Flexibly navigate Australian business hours and meeting times when needed to enable seamless cross‑border collaboration and alignment with ANZ and global leadership. What You’ll Bring To The Team 15+ years of experience in corporate communications, external communications, public relations, or corporate affairs, including senior experience in a public company or similarly regulated environment. Experience in fintech, payments, financial services, or another regulated industry where precision, judgment, and public trust matter. Strong command of public‑company communications, including earnings cycles, financial disclosures, market‑sensitive information, and collaboration with Investor Relations and Legal. A track record of building corporate and consumer narratives, with established media relationships across financial, business, technology, fintech, payments, or consumer press. Experience supporting an IPO, public listing, dual listing, significant capital‑markets event, or another high‑profile corporate milestone. Experience in US and Australian public‑company environments is helpful. Strong executive counsel, writing, editing, and message‑development skills. You can make complex financial, regulatory, technical, and product topics clear and compelling. Proven issues‑management and crisis‑communications experience, with sound judgment and discretion in sensitive situations. The ability to set strategy, build practical processes, and remain close to execution when the moment calls for it. Experience leading cross‑functional teams, agencies, or complex cross‑functional work, with the ability to create accountability while building strong partnerships. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience. What You’ll Get In Return Zip is a place where you’ll get out what you put in. The newness of our sector means we need to move at pace and embrace change, and our promise to you when you join the team is that you’ll feel empowered and trusted to make big things happen quickly. We want you to feel welcome and as though you have the support to be yourself, and care for yourself at work. Because it’s important to us that you make the most of the opportunities you’ll get to grow your skills and your career, and be surrounded by smart, friendly people and leaders that have your back. We think these are just some of the best things about being a Zipster. We will also offer you: Flexible working culture Incentive programs Unlimited PTO Generous paid parental leave Leading family support policies Company‑sponsored 401k match Learning and wellness subscription stipend Beautiful Union Square office with a casual dress code #J-18808-Ljbffr Zip Co