Key facts
- Sara Bonert, a Zillow executive since 2006, was laid off in early August.
- Zillow cut more than 500 employees, representing about 7% of its workforce.
- The company cited organizational restructuring and efficiency as reasons for the layoffs.
- Bonert was the most tenured employee impacted by the cuts.
- Bonert played a key role in Zillow's early listing strategy and the development of Tech Connect.
Sara Bonert, a Zillow executive who joined the company in October 2006, announced her departure after nearly two decades. She confirmed she was among the more than 500 employees laid off by Zillow in early August, a move that represented approximately 7% of the company's workforce. Zillow stated the layoffs were part of an organizational restructuring aimed at improving efficiency and supporting business investments.
Bonert, who held roles including director of broker services and vice president of industry engagement, was reportedly the most tenured employee impacted by the cuts. During her tenure, she was instrumental in Zillow's early efforts to acquire listings and establish its listing syndication strategy. She also helped create Tech Connect, an API enabling technology vendors to integrate Zillow lead data, and shaped Zillow's IDX strategy. More recently, she was involved in the launch of Zillow Preview.
In an internal FAQ, Zillow indicated that employees were selected for termination based on factors such as position elimination and work performance. A WARN schedule for Washington state showed 91 employees were impacted across various roles, including director, program manager, principal, manager, and senior-level positions. Zillow CEO Jeremy Wacksman described the decision as difficult, reflecting strategic progress and the requirements for scaling the business.