About the role

Zillow is seeking a Regional Designated Broker - South Central Territory Lead (TX, LA, OK, AR) to oversee brokerage operations across a defined multi-state region aligned to high-volume MLS markets.

This full-time role combines regulatory authority, operational execution, and strategic relationship management. The Territory Lead serves as both the designated broker of record and a key Zillow representative within MLSs, associations, and influential brokerages.

This role operates in close partnership with other Industry Affairs teams including Strategic Operations, Industry Operations, and Brokerage Operations to ensure alignment, speed, and execution quality across markets.

Key Responsibilities

Territory Ownership & Accountability

• Serve as the designated broker of record for assigned states within a defined territory.
• Own operational performance, compliance integrity, and execution quality across the region.
• Establish clear accountability for brokerage processes and execution standards.
• Monitor territory-level workload, regulatory complexity, MLS dynamics, and broker sentiment.
• Escalate emerging risks, regulatory changes, or market shifts to leadership in a timely manner.

MLS, Association & Brokerage Relationship Management

• Foster strong, trusted relationships with MLS executives, association leaders, and state regulators.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with influential brokerages within the assigned territory.
• Represent Zillow in MLS, Association, State Commission, and industry meetings (virtual and in-person).
• Seek committee participation and leadership opportunities when aligned with company strategy.
• Serve as a visible, credible Zillow representative in local markets.
• Provide territory-level intelligence regarding MLS sentiment, regulatory trends, and brokerage dynamics.
• Build, maintain, and support relationships within the local industry.
• Maintain active MLS and association memberships to ensure continuity of data and access across required states.

Cross-Functional Industry Affairs Partnership

• Work alongside Strategic Operations, Industry Operations, and Brokerage Operations to ensure alignment on market initiatives.
• Support territory-level execution of broader Industry Affairs strategies and initiatives.
• Partner on rollout of policy updates, regulatory responses, MLS engagement efforts, and operational changes.
• Participate in structured operating rhythms including check-ins, reviews, and reporting routines.
• Regularly review and report on local MLS news, updates, and sentiment to Industry Affairs leadership.
• Address customer care complaints and provide resolution assistance, routing inquiries appropriately.

Compliance & Licensing Oversight

• Ensure full compliance with state licensing laws, MLS rules, association bylaws, and brokerage operations manuals.
• Advise licensees and internal stakeholders of regulatory or MLS rule changes within 24 hours of notification.
• Partner with Licensing for the seamless transition and maintenance of brokerage-level licenses.
• Review and monitor reports of licensees under supervision, flagging anomalies to the Licensing team as necessary.
• Perform contract reviews to ensure legal and transactional compliance (as needed).
• Act as signing authority for brokerage filings and MLS documentation, as required.
• Support the transaction team by tracking, recording, and reporting changes in co-listed properties within the territory.
• Keep current with required continuing education and maintain active state real estate licenses.

Operational Excellence & Scalability

• Execute standardized workflows and brokerage routines to improve speed, reliability, and consistency.
• Participate in cross-training and operational development initiatives to strengthen team resilience.
• Contribute insights to tooling, automation, and data improvements that reduce manual work.
• Support onboarding, paperwork transitions, and retraining efforts tied to territory realignment.
• Respond within one business day to requests from Licensing, MLS, Brokerage Operations, Industry Affairs, and other partners (internal and external).

This role has been categorized as a Field position. "Field" employees perform the majority of their work in a specified geographic location set by their management team. Employees are expected to live within a reasonable commuting distance to their region and/or service area. ZG has not defined a reasonable distance and expects employees will use judgment in determining this for themselves and understand the implications regarding time commitment and cost of daily commute.

In California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington state, and Washington DC the standard base pay range for this role is $40.00 - $63.80 hourly. This base pay range is specific to these locations and may not be applicable to other locations.In Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia the standard base pay range for this role is $38.00 - $60.60 hourly. 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

• Active real estate broker license in at least one state within the assigned territory (required)
• Willingness to obtain and maintain broker-level licenses in additional states as needed
• Minimum 5+ years of brokerage leadership experience
• Active or former participation in REALTOR® associations or MLS governance
• Experience engaging with MLS boards, associations, and brokerage leadership
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Willingness to travel up to 40-50% within the assigned territory

The ideal candidate is a seasoned brokerage leader who:

• Has served as a Broker-in-Charge, Managing Broker, or Designated Broker
• Demonstrates deep understanding of MLS governance and state regulatory environments
• Is highly credible within their local real estate community
• Thrives in structured, accountable operating environments
• Can balance compliance oversight with relationship-building and strategic engagement
• Communicates clearly and escalates appropriately