As the Principal Industry Relations, you will serve as a senior strategic advisor and deputy, representing the organization in executive-level engagements with MLS organizations, industry associations, and brokerage partners. You will build and manage relationships with MLS leadership to identify opportunities that expand listing data access, strengthen listing distribution partnerships, and support the organization's long-term industry positioning within the real estate ecosystem. The Principal works cross-functionally to translate industry governance dynamics, policy developments, and competitive market shifts into business strategy. You will serve as the organization's subject matter expert on MLS governance, listing data policy, broker cooperation rules, and the evolving competitive landscape across organized real estate and real estate technology platforms.
About the role
- Represent the company as a deputy in executive-level meetings with MLS leadership, industry associations, and brokerage partners, operating independently when needed
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with senior executives across MLS organizations nationwide, with a focus on identifying and advancing rule changes, new listing frameworks, and data-sharing agreements that expand available inventory
- Monitor and analyze MLS board actions, association policy developments, competitor platform strategies, and emerging listing distribution models, synthesizing findings into actionable briefings for executive leadership
- Advise product and engineering teams on MLS data policy requirements, translating governance structures and listing rules into product specifications, data integration consideration, and technical implementation guidance
- Partner with government affairs to assess legislative and regulatory developments that impact real estate marketplaces, listing distribution, brokerage operations, and industry data governance at the state and federal level
- Coordinate with regional brokerage operations to ensure industry strategy accounts for local market conditions, MLS-specific compliance obligations, and state licensing requirements
- Develop and deliver strategic recommendations to senior leadership through formal briefings, written analyses, and executive presentations
- Represent the organization at industry conferences, on panels, and in media engagements as a credible subject matter expert on MLS policy, listing data governance, and broker marketplace dynamics
- Advise on the MLS-specific risks, opportunities, and market-by-market considerations associated with strategic brokerage partnerships, including alternative listing distributions strategies, phased marketing programs and non-MLS listing frameworks
- Identify gaps and blind spots in current industry strategy and proactively recommend course corrections based on competitive intelligence, industry sentiment, and stakeholder feedback
About you
Minimum Qualifications
- 12 years of experience in the MLS ecosystem, real estate brokerage, or a major real estate technology or real estate marketplace platform
- Bachelor's degree in business, public policy, real estate, or a related field
- Demonstrated existing relationships with MLS executives, brokerage leaders, national association leadership, or state and local Relator association leaders
- Track record of influencing policy outcomes or governance decisions within organized real estate and MLS governance structures
- Experience presenting strategic recommendations and translating industry-specific concepts to executive, product and legal stakeholders
- Experience working cross-functionally with product, engineering, legal, policy/government affairs, and operations teams
- Ability to travel up to 10 or more days per month for industry meetings, conferences, and partner engagements
- Willingness to work non-traditional hours to accommodate cross-time zone meetings and industry events
Preferred Qualifications
- Former senior level at a national real estate platform, brokerage network or real estate marketplace with MLS-facing responsibilities
- Experience with real estate data standards, listing data models and MLS technology infrastructure
- Existing public profile as an industry thought leader, including conference speaking, published writing, or active participation in industry governance bodies or advisory committees
- Experience navigating the regulatory and legal landscape following recent national industry policy changes and litigation impacting cooperative compensation, listing transparency, and listing distribution models
- Experience using stakeholder relationship management tools or customer relationship management (CRM) platforms to track and manage industry relationships at scale
What you’ll get
Our team members fuel our strategy, innovation and growth, so we ensure the health and well-being of not just you, but your family, too! We go above and beyond to give you the support you need on an individual level and offer all sorts of ways to help you live your best life. We are proud to offer eligible team members perks and health benefits that will help you have peace of mind. Simply put: We’ve got your back. Check out our full list of Benefits and Perks.
About us
Rocket is a Detroit-based company made up of businesses that provide simple, fast and trusted digital solutions for complex transactions. The name comes from our flagship business, now known as Rocket Mortgage®, which was founded in 1985. Today, we’re a publicly traded company involved in many different industries, including mortgages, fintech, real estate and more. We’re insistently different in how we look at the world and are committed to an inclusive workplace where every voice is heard. Apply today to join a team that offers career growth, amazing benefits and the chance to work with leading industry professionals.
This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of the company at any time. Decisions related to employment are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. The company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team, at Careers@Rocket.com.
T__he compensation information below is provided in compliance with all applicable job posting disclosure requirements. The compensation for this position is $136,000.00 - $288,000.00. The position may also be eligible for an annual bonus, incentives, and other employment-related benefits including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401K retirement plan, and paid-time off. More information regarding these benefits and others can be found here. The information regarding compensation and other benefits included in this paragraph is the company’s current, good faith estimate at the time of posting. [Compensation and benefits are subject to modification from time to time as the Company, in its sole and exclusive discretion, deems appropriate.] The Company may determine during its future reviews of the proposed compensation and benefits provided for this position, that the compensation and benefits for such position should be reduced. In no event will the Company reduce the compensation for the position to a level below the applicable jurisdictional minimum wage rate for the position. Los Angeles County and San Francisco Candidates only: qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment per the Fair Chance Ordinance and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.