Russell Vanner
Parker,CO
Summary
Sales leadership executive with 20+ years driving revenue growth and scaling high-performing teams in SaaS, telecommunications, and real estate technology. Proven ability to coach & develop, launch new products to multimillion-dollar success, and integrate AI-powered tools for pipeline acceleration and forecasting excellence. Excel in high-growth, matrixed organizations partnering with RevOps, Product, and Marketing.
Overview
1
1
Certification
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Sales Manager, Agent Sales & Advertising
Zillow Group
02.2024 - 08.2026
- Led high-performing sales team, achieving 100.42% of annual revenue quota and 106.27% of strategic MRR YTD, ranked 2nd nationally among segment managers in 2026.
- Drove Zillow Showcase launch, advancing product from early-stage commercialization to $4.5 million in 2024.
- Developed and deployed AI frameworks, including "Book of Business Analyzer" and "Zillow Targeting Tool," enhancing agents' effectiveness and improving appointment rates by 40%.
- Mentored over 40 sales professionals, managers, and directors, resulting in numerous internal promotions.
- Authored instructional guides and conducted training sessions to facilitate adoption of new tools across the sales organization.
- Contributed to AI pipeline and forecast implementation workstream, offering workflow insights for frontline managers prior to go-live.
Sales Programming & Enablement Manager
Zillow Group
08.2021 - 01.2024
- Managed team of Field Enablement Managers to drive frontline adoption of strategic initiatives and modern tools, enhancing sales process effectiveness
- Increased sales performance by 30% as Project Sponsor for a multi-million dollar initiative partnering with external consultants to implement new consultative Selling and Coaching frameworks — record-setting seller and leader feedback survey scores (4.75+)
- Coordinated workstreams with Marketing & Operations to create outreach campaigns that generated inbound sales opportunities, boosting CTR by 2% and MQL rate by 10%
Regional Sales Manager
Zillow Group
01.2019 - 07.2021
- Led a hybrid team of Business Consultants and Sales Executives across the Southeast Region.
- 142% of Gross Quota Attainment (Jan–Jul 2021); #1 team in Growth & Retention segment for Net Revenue
- Oversaw Team Lead and Mentorship Program; mentored 13 aspiring sales professionals on the Leadership Career Path
Director of Sales — Business Technology Solutions
CenturyLink Communications Inc.
Denver, CO
02.2011 - 01.2017
- Led an eight-team, 75+ Corporate Account Manager sales organization for a Fortune 200 company dedicated to Telecommunications/SaaS/Hosting solutions for Small Business and Enterprise clients.
- Managed revenue retention and new incremental B2B sales for a $200M annual client base through a highly consultative, account management model
- Led team selling strategy for high-potential, high-revenue, and complex accounts — including on-site quarterly business reviews, C-level presentations, and dedicated account team engagement (engineering, marketing, post-sales)
- Grew Salt Lake City Satellite branch into a fully independent Sales Office (from 14 Corporate Account Managers to 5 full sales teams)
- Led the #1 and #2 inside sales offices (Denver & Salt Lake City) in monthly recurring sales and retention performance to quota in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014
- Received a rating reserved for the top 5% of all CenturyLink employees (2010-2016).
Education
MBA -
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration -
University of Colorado, Boulder
Certification
Artificial Intelligence for Leaders Certification — Wharton School of Business
Timeline
Sales Manager, Agent Sales & Advertising
Zillow Group
02.2024 - 08.2026
Sales Programming & Enablement Manager
Zillow Group
08.2021 - 01.2024
Regional Sales Manager
Zillow Group
01.2019 - 07.2021
Director of Sales — Business Technology Solutions
CenturyLink Communications Inc.
02.2011 - 01.2017
MBA -
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration -
University of Colorado, Boulder