Principal Preferred Strategy & Operations

About the teamThe Zillow Preferred team is at the center of building Zillow’s next chapter of partner-led growth, designing how high-performing real estate teams deliver a more connected experience for our shared customers. Within this organization, the Emerging segment oversees the majority of our partner network and acts as the primary engine for scaling new and growing teams into tomorrow’s top performers. The team is made up of program managers and frontline advisors who roll up their sleeves with partners every day, translating strategy into clear playbooks, experiments, and coaching that move real business metrics. We work hand-in-hand with Product, Operations, and Marketing to test, launch, and scale initiatives that improve partner performance and customer outcomes.

About the role

Zillow is evolving how we serve and grow our “Emerging” segment partners at scale. This role will lead the strategy, operating model, and execution for the SMB segment of our Preferred business, which we expect to grow 2x in 2026. We’re looking for a leader who loves tackling complex problems, shaping systems from the ground up, and seeing their ideas come to life in the market.

As Principal Preferred Strategy & Operations, you will own the SMB go-to-market motion end to end, setting direction, building scalable systems, and ensuring frontline execution delivers durable business outcomes. This is a leadership role for a strategic operator who can define “what good looks like,” mobilize cross-functional teams, and translate complexity into clarity.

You partner closely with Product and senior GTM leaders, and play a central role in shaping the future of Zillow’s SMB growth engine.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute on the GTM strategy for the Emerging segment, including partner journeys, service tiers by partner type, and capacity models.

• Translate strategic goals into multi-quarter roadmaps, success metrics, and operating plans to drive account acquisition, retention, and growth.

• Influence product roadmaps by grounding prioritization in customer needs, operational realities, and revenue impact, to shape partner experiences that scale (e.g. onboarding flows, in-product guidance, and self-serve capabilities)

• Identify opportunities to optimize cost-to-serve while improving partner experience through automation and tooling.

• Use data to identify growth opportunities, diagnose issues, and guide strategic tradeoffs.

• Communicate insights and recommendations clearly to senior leaders, driving alignment and action.

This role has been categorized as a Remote position. “Remote” employees do not have a permanent corporate office workplace and, instead, work from a physical location of their choice, which must be identified to the Company. U.S. employees may live in any of the 50 United States, with limited exceptions.

In California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington state, and Washington DC the standard base pay range for this role is $153,600.00 - $245,400.00 annually. This base pay range is specific to these locations and may not be applicable to other locations. In Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Vermont the standard base pay range for this role is $145,900.00 - $233,100.00 annually. The base pay range is specific to these locations and may not be applicable to other locations.

In addition to a competitive base salary this position is also eligible for equity awards based on factors such as experience, performance and location. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance and location. Employees in this role will not be paid below the salary threshold for exempt employees in the state where they reside.

Who you are

• 10+ years of experience in strategy, operations, GTM, consulting, or related roles, with demonstrated impact at scale.

• Experience owning strategy and operating outcomes for a complex business or customer segment, especially in marketplace companies

• Proven ability to lead through ambiguity and drive alignment across senior stakeholders.

• Strong analytical foundation; able to synthesize data into clear insights and decisions.

• Exceptional communicator, comfortable influencing at the executive level.

• Builder mindset: energized by creating durable systems, not just shipping one-off projects.

• Comfortable balancing long-term vision with near-term execution.

• Experience with analytical toolsets (e.g Tableau, SQL) required, and sales tooling (e.g. Salesforce, Gong) preferred.

• MBA or advanced degree are a plus

Get to know us

At Zillow, we’re reimagining how people move—through the real estate market and through their careers. As the most-visited real estate platform in the U.S., we help customers navigate buying, selling, financing and renting with greater ease and confidence. Whether you're working in tech, sales, operations, or design, you’ll be part of a company that's reshaping an industry and helping more people make home a reality.

Zillow is honored to be recognized among the best workplaces in the country. Zillow was named one of FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® in 2025, and included on the PEOPLE Companies That Care® 2025 list, reflecting our commitment to creating an innovative, inclusive, and engaging culture where employees are empowered to grow.

No matter where you sit in the organization, your work will help drive innovation, support our customers, and move the industry—and your career—forward, together.

Zillow Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative environment with the best employees. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact your recruiter directly.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable state and local law.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.