Director of Communications

At Acorns, our mission is to look after the financial best interests of the up-and-coming, beginning with the empowering, proud step of micro-investing. How do we accomplish our mission? Our values.

Lead With Heart - With compassion, integrity, and tenacity, inspire yourself and others to move past all previous thresholds of possibility

Make Bold Decisions - We are creating a new world. Be optimistic, adventurous, and courageous. Leap fearlessly into the future

Always Build Trust - Say what you mean, mean what you say, and do what you say you’re going to do. We are all owners. We are one team

Never Stop Growing - Change IS the constant. Stay hungry and curious. Be relentless in the pursuit of progress

Find a way - Never settle, no excuses, nothing is impossible. Just make it happen

Our values guide us, and our mission drives us. Come join us and help deliver financial wellness for the whole family, putting the tools of wealth-making into everyone’s hands.

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📣 Director of Communications | Acorns

The Director of Communications will serve as Acorns' chief publicist and storyteller, shaping the narrative and maximizing the earned media footprint for the company's mission and our role in transforming financial wellness for the whole family. This leader will build and run an influence engine across earned, owned, social, and executive visibility - establishing Acorns as the most trusted voice in financial wellness.

Success is measured in impact: increased trust, heightened brand relevance among emerging investors, and a growing chorus of cultural conversation shaped by Acorns.

We’re looking for a builder, a creative strategist, and a cultural storyteller who sees communications as a force multiplier for mission, brand, and growth.

Acorns is a remote-first organization, offering the flexibility to work remotely while providing optional access to office space in Irvine, CA.

What you will do at Acorns:

• Lead PR & Press Strategy: Develop and drive a breakthrough PR strategy that brings Acorns’ mission into money culture and accelerates business outcomes.

• Own the Press Office: Serve as the primary media point of contact, responding quickly and accurately, while constantly scanning culture and news cycles for openings.

• Drive Top-Tier Media Coverage: Lead proactive outreach and pitching to secure high-impact stories across financial, business, tech, and consumer media.

• Shape Core Narratives: Craft compelling brand, product, and executive narratives that differentiate Acorns and spotlight our mission, purpose, products, and people - including CEO storytelling.

• Lead Key Media Moments: Own communications for product launches, partnerships, announcements, and campaigns, ensuring originality, consistency, and cultural relevance.

• Build the Customer Story Engine: Identify, curate, and deploy powerful customer stories that highlight the real impact of Acorns on families.

• Oversee Agency Partners: Manage agency relationships, budgets, timelines, and KPIs to maximize creativity, efficiency, and ROI.

• Drive Product Communications: Translate complex product features into simple, compelling stories in collaboration with Product, Marketing, and Creative.

• Lead Crisis & Reputation Management: Maintain a robust crisis plan and serve as a key leader in protecting brand trust during sensitive moments.

What you will bring to Acorns:

• Hands-on experience in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, with a proven ability to both execute and lead a communications strategy.

• Demonstrated experience managing a daily, high-volume inbound press office and executing proactive, Tier 1 media relations campaigns.

• Expertise in developing clear, compelling communications across multiple channels, including press releases, talking points, and strategic narratives.

• Experience building and leveraging customer stories/case studies to drive media coverage and support brand messaging.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with meticulous attention to detail.

• 5+ years of people management experience

• Demonstrated experience motivating, supporting, and developing team members to meet performance expectations and build their careers.

• Ability to align company vision and organizational goals with team execution.

• Commitment to upholding policy and procedures per company standards.

• Own strategic decision-making and effectively communicate direction to team members.

• Exceptional drive and precision in delivery.

• A belief that your work is tied to your life's mission.

• Optimistic about the potential of societal change.

You are not expected to have experience with all listed requirements. If you feel passionate about Acorns' mission, vision, and values, please apply.

• Competitive salary and stock options.

• A comprehensive benefits package for you and your family.

• Flexible work location, hours, and paid time off.

• 401(k) matching.

• Monthly Acorns account contribution & GoHenry account for your family.

• Mindfulness and Financial Wellness resources, Headspace and Addition Wealth.

• Acorns Career Development Program (Ongoing training sessions, development plans, development check-ins, Cornerstone’s online training platform).

• Roots Leadership Program for Emerging Leaders.

• Community week onsite gatherings and various virtual events.

• Talented and motivated team members who care deeply about one another, our mission, and our customers.

• The rare opportunity to create a new world. We inspire one another every day to do meaningful work that solves big societal challenges.

Acorns is a financial wellness app that helps everyday people and families save and invest money for the long term. Since 2014, Acorns has grown into a global company with multiple life-stage products serving the needs of kids, teens, adults, and parents. Named one of Time’s “World’s Best Brands of 2024,” Acorns has helped over 14 million people save & invest over $27 billion dollars, much of it from spare change and small amounts.

As a Director, you will embody our Management Principles:

• Managers are constantly raising the bar.

• Managers ensure all team members have a voice and a path.

• No surprises - Managers give and receive feedback early and often.

• Managers continuously assess performance action on concerns quickly.

• Managers foster a resilient, results-oriented mindset.

Compensation Information:

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $185,000 and $205,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including equity grants, and discretionary cash bonus awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Work Authorization:

Acorns participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. For more information about E-Verify, please visit www.e-verify.gov.