Principal Design Program Manager

About the teamZillow’s mission is to “give people the power to unlock life’s next chapter.” The Zillow Experience Design (ZxD) team envisions and crafts the experiences that turn our mission into a reality for millions of people.
We are a multidisciplinary team of researchers, designers, content designers, design technologists and operators working together to address tough human and business problems with sophisticated solutions. We partner closely with product managers, researchers, designers, data scientists, engineers and marketing, to build useful, usable, and innovative experiences for Zillow customers. These experiences live across web, mobile, and internal software platforms, and we are deeply focused on ensuring quality across every touchpoint!

About the role

The role of a program manager (PgM) within a design & research organization is a unique one, with lots of different uses in the industry across different companies. Overall, ZxD PgMs ensure that design / research work is completed smoothly, efficiently, and to a high standard, while also encouraging a coordinated and productive environment for the design / research team and partners.

At Zillow, ZxD PgMs play an important part in bridging the gap between design & research teams, and partners across product, engineering, marketing and other groups. This role will get to:

• Structure & Plan Work: Responsible for the program planning, execution, and delivery of product development, ZxD programs. This involves setting timelines, prioritizing, ensuring that programs stay on track, within budget and are aligned to strategy. Connects the program’s work to long-term strategic vision aligned with customer and business value.

• Product & Technical Proficiency: Proficient in the product development process, prevents duplicative systems and experiences from being built and surfaces cross team / org opportunities, particularly across ZxD.

• Communication and Collaboration: Acting as a liaison between ZxD and other partners such as product managers, engineers, marketing teams. They ensure that everyone is aligned on goals, timelines, and key achievements.

• Process & Behavioral Improvements: Developing and refining processes and/or behavioral changes to improve efficiency and effectiveness within ZxD. This can include implementing new tools, methodologies, and standard processes.

• Quality Control: Ensuring that the ZxD output meets the required standards and aligns with the overall brand and product vision. This may involve driving reviews and critiques for ZxD.

• Resource Management: Owning the allocation of ZxD resources, including team members' time and skills, to ensure that projects are adequately staffed and that workloads are balanced.

• Risk Management: Identifying potential risks and issues that could impact timelines or quality, and developing mitigation strategies to address them.

• Partner Management: Building and maintaining positive relationships with key partners, understanding their needs and expectations, and ensuring that ZxD delivers value to them.

• Leadership: Influence without authority, enabling an environment that embodies high performing teams.

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, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Washington state, and Washington DC the standard base pay range for this role is $173,300.00 - $276,800.00 Annually. This base pay range is specific to California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Washington state, and Washington DC 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.

Who you are

• 8+ years of program management experience or similar

• Experience with program management toolsets (i.e. Jira or similar)

• Understanding AI capabilities, and how it enables efficiency for design, research and/or other product development organizations

• Have an understanding of user experience design, internal and external customers and partners, as well as systems improvements

• Are an effective verbal, visual, and written communicator

• Have time management, organization, and prioritization skills

• Have a strong sense of ownership and drive

• Are experienced in anticipating and making trade-offs, balance the business need while building phenomenal customer experiences

Transferable Skills

Here at Zillow - we value the experience and perspective of candidates with non-traditional backgrounds. We encourage you to apply if you have transferable skills or related experiences. 

Get to know us

Zillow is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people.

As the most-visited real estate website in the United States, Zillow® and its affiliates help movers find and win their home through digital solutions, first class partners, and easier buying, selling, financing and renting experiences. Millions of people visit Zillow Group sites every month to start their home search, and now they can rely on Zillow to help make it easier to move. The work we do helps people get home and no matter what job you're in, you will play a critical role in making home a reality for more and more people.

Our efforts to streamline the real estate transaction are supported by a deep-rooted culture of innovation, our passion to redefine the employee experience, a fundamental commitment to Equity and Belonging, and world-class benefits. These benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverages as well as parental leave, family benefits, retirement contributions, and paid time off. We’re also setting the standard for work experiences of the future, where our employees are supported in doing their best work and living a flexible, well-balanced life. But don’t just take our word for it. Read recent reviews on Glassdoor and recent recognition from multiple organizations, including: the 100 Best Companies to Work For, Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award, Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equity Index, and TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

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.

Applicants who receive job offers from Zillow Group will be asked to sign a Proprietary Rights Agreement which includes confidentiality, intellectual property assignment, customer and employee non-solicitation, and non-competition provisions. If you are contacted for a role at Zillow Group and wish to review a copy of the Proprietary Rights Agreement prior to receiving an offer, you may request a copy from your Recruiter.