Director, State & Local Government Affairs

Job description

About the team Zillow is seeking a strategic and experienced Director, State & Local Government Affairs to lead the company's state advocacy organization across a multi-region portfolio. This leader will oversee regional government affairs managers, direct complex legislative campaigns, manage external lobbying partners, and help translate Zillow's enterprise priorities into coordinated execution across priority markets. This role goes beyond traditional lobbying. As Zillow continues to grow and expand its impact across housing and technology, Government Affairs plays an increasingly important role in enabling business strategy, supporting product innovation, protecting consumer trust, and navigating an evolving legislative landscape. The Director will build a high-performing regional organization capable of executing consistently across multiple states while strengthening the operating model that connects Government Affairs, Policy, Legal, Communications, Product, and business leaders. Success requires an executive mindset, strong political judgment, and the ability to lead through influence, ambiguity, and organizational change. About the role Lead Zillow's State Government Affairs Strategy Develop and lead Zillow's state and local government affairs strategy across multiple regions and legislative environments. Translate enterprise business priorities into coordinated state advocacy strategies that advance Zillow's long-term objectives. Prioritize campaigns, allocate resources, and ensure consistent execution across regional portfolios. Drive Multi-State Legislative Campaigns Lead complex legislative and regulatory campaigns from strategy through execution, including sponsorship strategy, coalition management, negotiation, amendment strategy, and legislative engagement. Help determine where Zillow should proactively lead, partner, or monitor across priority issues. Guide regional leaders through rapidly changing political environments while maintaining alignment to enterprise priorities. Build and Lead a High-Performing Team Lead, coach, and develop experienced regional government affairs leaders across multiple geographies. Foster a collaborative, high-accountability culture while empowering regional expertise and decision-making. Build long-term organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, and scalable operating practices. Strengthen Zillow's Government Affairs Operating Model Establish and continuously improve the operating rhythms, governance, planning processes, and reporting mechanisms that enable effective execution across the state affairs organization. Improve coordination between Government Affairs, Public Policy, Legal, Communications, Product, Economics, and executive leadership. Create greater visibility into legislative priorities, campaign progress, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities. Manage External Government Affairs Partners Oversee Zillow's network of outside lobbyists, consultants, and strategic advisors across multiple jurisdictions. Establish clear performance expectations, deployment strategies, accountability measures, and budget priorities. Ensure external partners operate as integrated extensions of Zillow's Government Affairs team. Translate Legislative Intelligence into Business Action Monitor legislative, regulatory, and political developments across priority markets. Identify emerging risks and opportunities that may influence product strategy, market expansion, consumer trust, or business operations. Provide timely recommendations and executive briefings that enable informed business decisions. Partner Across the Enterprise Work closely with Public Policy to translate policy priorities into executable field strategies. Partner with Legal to navigate regulatory developments and legislative risk. Collaborate with Product and business leaders to ensure advocacy strategies support evolving business priorities. Coordinate with Communications and Public Affairs on stakeholder engagement and external messaging. Align closely with Federal Government Affairs on issues that require coordinated state and federal engagement. What This Role Owns State and local government affairs strategy across Zillow's priority markets Leadership and development of the regional government affairs organization Multi-state legislative and regulatory campaign execution External lobbying firms and consultant management Legislative intelligence and business insight from state markets Operating rhythms, planning processes, and execution across the state affairs function Cross-functional coordination between Government Affairs, Policy, Legal, Product, and Communications 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 $201,000.00 - $321,000.00 annually. 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 $191,000.00 - $305,000.00 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 12+ years of experience in government relations, public policy, legislative affairs, or a closely related field, including significant experience advising senior leaders on complex policy and regulatory matters. Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated government relations or public affairs strategies that support business or organizational objectives. Proven success building and maintaining influential relationships with legislators, regulators, associations, and advocacy partners in highly regulated or politically complex environments. Experience leading cross-functional efforts on policy or regulatory issues in a corporate, industry association, or government setting, with accountability for outcomes and executive-level communication. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Required travel up to 25%. Preferred Qualifications Experience within a technology, marketplace, housing, fintech, mortgage, real estate, or highly regulated consumer platform company. Experience leading regional government affairs functions within a Fortune 500 company, trade association, or comparable organization. Familiarity with housing policy, listings, rentals, consumer finance, AI policy, competition policy, or digital marketplace regulation. Experience building or scaling government affairs organizations during periods of company growth. ​ Leadership Competencies: Enterprise thinking and business acumen Exceptional political judgment Strategic prioritization and resource allocation Organizational leadership and team development Executive influence without formal authority Cross-functional collaboration Operational excellence and disciplined execution Adaptability in complex, fast-changing environments 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 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.