Principal Data Scientist

About the team

Marketing Analytics & Data Science (MADS) supports Zillow’s advertising business by connecting advertising technology, marketing science, and marketplace insights. This team helps power Zillow’s Elevate on-site advertising platform through measurement, experimentation, and analytics, partnering closely with Product, Ad Tech, Sales, and Data Engineering to drive advertiser value, product improvements, and revenue growth.

About the role

Zillow is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead measurement strategy for Elevate, our on-site advertising business. This is a high-impact individual contributor role for someone who combines deep technical expertise with strong business judgment and cross‑functional influence. You will shape how Zillow measures advertiser value, scales experimentation, and turns complex data into decisions that inform product & sales strategy, revenue growth, and advertiser trust.

You Will Get To

• Define and evolve the measurement strategy for Zillow’s Elevate on-site advertising platform, including ad placements, pricing models, inventory optimization, and advertiser value.
• Lead incrementality, lift testing, and experimentation frameworks that support advertiser reporting and internal decision‑making.
• Build KPI frameworks that connect ad performance to advertiser outcomes, product decisions, and revenue growth.
• Partner with Ad Product, Ad Tech, Sales, Commercial, and Data Engineering teams to ensure measurement solutions support both monetization and advertiser trust.
• Translate ad performance and marketplace data into actionable insights that shape product roadmaps and go‑to‑market strategy.
• Collaborate with third‑party measurement vendors, platform providers, and data partners to strengthen Zillow’s advertising measurement capabilities.
• Drive cross‑functional alignment on experimentation design, measurement standards, and scalable analytical best practices across the ads ecosystem.
• Mentor data scientists, improve analytical systems and data reliability, and identify responsible AI‑enabled workflows that increase efficiency while maintaining rigor and governance.

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

• 8+ years of experience in data science, marketing science, advertising analytics, or applied measurement.
• Deep expertise in on‑site advertising measurement, including lift testing, incrementality, A/B experimentation, advertiser reporting, and performance optimization.
• Strong knowledge of measurement approaches such as causal inference, marketing attribution methods, and marketing mix modeling.
• Experience working in or closely with ads platforms, retail media networks, sponsored listings, or similar on‑site advertising environments.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cross‑functional alignment without formal management authority.
• Strong analytical and technical skills, including experience with large‑scale behavioral, clickstream, or marketplace datasets and proficiency in SQL plus Python or R.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex methodologies into clear business recommendations for technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Experience partnering with Product, Engineering, Commercial, Sales, and external stakeholders; familiarity with third‑party measurement partners or modern data tools is a plus.
• A proactive, strategic mindset and the ability to connect technical rigor to advertiser value, revenue outcomes, and product direction.
• 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.

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.