Principal Technical Program Manager

About the team

The Data, Engineering, Science & Analytics (DESA) organization is Zillow’s central hub for data engineering, data science, business intelligence, and analytics tooling. DESA sits within Zillow’s Technology organization and partners across the company to shape critical product, marketing, operations, and business decisions using trusted data, scalable systems, and AI‑enabled insights. You will join a highly skilled, collaborative group of data practitioners and TPMs who are transforming how Zillow uses data and AI to help more people find their home.

About the role

The Principal Technical Program Manager (TPM), DESA is a senior, single‑threaded owner for Zillow’s most complex, cross‑organizational data and AI programs. This role combines strategic partnership, clear communication, and broad organizational influence with deep technical program leadership.

As a Principal TPM for DESA, you will drive impact at scale by:

• Serving as a trusted advisor and execution partner to DESA leadership, translating strategy into clear programs, operating mechanisms, and measurable outcomes.

• Owning cross‑organizational technical programs that span analytics, data engineering, data platform, experimentation, and AI enablement, and ensuring they land with clarity, accountability, and durable impact.

• Acting as a critical liaison between DESA and partner organizations (such as Data Platform, Product Engineering, Tech Enablement, and central platform teams) to enable bi‑directional communication, aligned priorities, and on‑time delivery of shared goals.

This is a hands‑on, bar‑raising TPM role. You are expected to dive into technical details when needed, design and iterate on operating mechanisms, and earn trust at all levels of the organization.

You Will Get To

• Serve as a trusted advisor and execution partner to DESA leadership, translating strategy into clear programs, operating mechanisms, and measurable outcomes.

• Lead complex, cross‑organizational data and AI programs that span analytics, data engineering, data platforms, experimentation, and AI enablement.

• Design, implement, and continuously improve lightweight, scalable operating mechanisms that keep teams aligned and moving toward measurable outcomes.

• Act as a critical liaison between DESA and partner organizations (for example, Data Platform, Product Engineering, Tech Enablement, and central platform teams) to drive aligned priorities and on‑time delivery of shared goals.

• Dive into technical details where needed to clarify scope, identify risks and dependencies, and enable high‑quality, timely decision‑making.

• Establish clear milestones, owners, and success metrics for ambiguous, cross‑functional initiatives, and drive accountability across teams and leaders.

• Communicate program goals, status, and tradeoffs to both senior executives and technical audiences through clear, concise written and verbal updates.

• Build strong, long‑term relationships across engineering, product, analytics, and platform teams so people seek you out to bring clarity, remove blockers, and move work forward.

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 $178,300.00 - $284,700.00 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 $169,300.00 - $270,500.00 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

• You have deep experience in Technical Program Management, Product Management, or data‑focused Engineering roles, with