How to Architect a Director of Operations Role for Scale with Matteo Zingales | Ep 090

Dec 9, 2025

Matteo Zingales, Director of Operations at Team Zingales Realty, transitioned from architecture to real estate, crafting operations for a family-owned brokerage. He emphasizes the importance of clarity, alignment, and accountability in teams. Matteo shares the intricate process of turning a real estate team into an independent brokerage, using documented processes and tech stacks like FollowUpBoss and monday.com. He discusses the value of constructive criticism and strategic onboarding, along with plans for future growth and team collaboration.

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INSIGHT

Three Pillars Of A High-Performing Team

High-performing teams need clarity, alignment, and accountability as core pillars.
Clear roles enable accountability and reduce people stepping on toes.

ANECDOTE

From Architecture To Ops Leader

Matteo left architecture after about a year and a half to join his family real estate business full time.
He applied design thinking and systems work from architecture to build SOPs and operations.

ANECDOTE

Turning A Team Into A Brokerage Overnight

Matteo's first big task was turning the team into an independent brokerage overnight.
He handled licensing, insurance, filings, and coordinated a supportive transition from the previous broker.

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After earning two degrees in architecture and starting your career with a design firm, you get into real estate operations.

Your first task: turn a real estate team into an independent brokerage. Overnight, if possible.
Your second task: expand and renovate the office to prepare for growth.
Meanwhile: you need to get the systems and processes out of people’s heads, merge them together, get it documented, redesign onboarding, and teach it to agents.

That’s just some of what you’ll get in this conversation with Matteo Zingales, Director of Operations at Team Zingales Realty, a family-owned, independent teamerage.

How to create the role from scratch.
Why to put observation before innovation.
How to set up the tech stack for scale.
Which three questions to ask to get constructive criticism from your business partners.

Four years into his journey, Matteo shares these details and more!

Watch or listen for insights into:

The balance of clarity, alignment, and accountability
The path from a degree and career in architecture to a Director of Operations role
Transitioning from real estate team to independent, family-owned brokerage
How the Director of Operations role was shaped from scratch and what it brought to the team
A prioritized list of projects and SOPs to set up the business to scale successfully
The vital role of constructive criticism and three questions to ask every staff member and agent to help draw it out
The specific pieces of their tech stack
How they carved out distinct, aligned roles between Director of Operations, Team Founder and Partner, and Broker Owner and Partner
Specific recruiting tactics as they look to double agent count in the year ahead
How to find your own Director of Operations

At the end, learn how Gillette Group, Wemert Group Realty, and SERHANT. Real Estate fuse brand, systems and performance, how luxury items can commemorate milestones, and which books have helped this Director of Operations.

Mentioned in this episode:
→ Camila Rivera https://www.realestateteamos.com/episode/team-leader-guide-making-your-first-operations-hire-camila-rivera
→ Jenny Wemert https://www.realestateteamos.com/episode/jenny-wemert-group-realty-independent
→ Emily Smith https://www.realestateteamos.com/episode/emily-smith-intrapreneur-entrepreneur-teamerage
→ 10X is Easier Than 2X https://10xeasierbook.com/
→ Rocket Fuel https://rocketfueluniversity.com/rocket-fuel-book/

Connect with Matteo Zingales:
→ https://www.instagram.com/matteoonops/
→ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mzingales/
→ https://www.tiktok.com/@team.zingales.realty
→ https://teamzingales.com/team-zingales-difference/meet-our-team/

Connect with Real Estate Team OS:

→ https://www.realestateteamos.com

→ https://linktr.ee/realestateteamos

→ https://www.instagram.com/realestateteamos/