Douglas Elliman Names Jamie Gagliano COO for Brokerage, Signaling AI-Driven Efficiency Push

Douglas Elliman has named Jamie Gagliano as its Chief Operations Officer for brokerage, effective Tuesday, September 1, 2026, marking a pivotal step in the firm's ambitious technology transformation. The appointment underscores a strategic focus on integrating Douglas Elliman's new AI intelligence platform, Elius, into its national operations to boost efficiency and agent support, HousingWire reported.

Gagliano, returning to Douglas Elliman after a stint at The Corcoran Group, will be based out of the firm's flagship office at 575 Madison Avenue in Manhattan. Her mandate is clear: to oversee the company's operations infrastructure nationwide, streamlining systems, tightening support for agents and staff, and building a more efficient, scalable brokerage platform, according to HousingWire.

What are Jamie Gagliano's key responsibilities?

Jamie Gagliano is tasked with leading national operations, ensuring support systems are streamlined, and aligning the firm's execution with the ongoing rollout of Elius, Douglas Elliman's AI platform built on Google Cloud. The Real Deal highlighted that Gagliano's role is to ensure technology changes directly translate into agents operating "more efficiently."

Douglas Elliman President and CEO Michael Liebowitz emphasized Gagliano's deep understanding of agents and technology, stating her experience made her a "great fit," The Real Deal reported. Liebowitz added, "I can't overstate how proud I am to welcome Jamie back to Douglas Elliman. The admiration and affection she's earned from agents and executives... as well as her proven operational expertise, will be critical to ensuring Elliman remains the home of choice for the most exceptional agents and staff," according to HousingWire.

Gagliano herself affirmed her commitment to this mission, stating, "I'm here to make sure our infrastructure is as ambitious as our agents, and I couldn't be more excited to help build that future," HousingWire reported.

Why is Gagliano's return significant?

Gagliano's appointment marks a homecoming for the operations veteran. She first joined Douglas Elliman in 2014 as COO for The Holly Parker Team, where she spent nearly a decade and helped close the largest deal signed in downtown New York City in 2020. Her move to The Corcoran Group in 2023 saw her serve as Partner and Chief Operating Officer for Noble Black & Partners, a team that later transitioned to Corcoran in September 2025. This return brings back a leader with a proven track record within Elliman's ecosystem.

Furthermore, Gagliano noted her appreciation for Douglas Elliman's "lack of debt and its singular brand focus," contrasting it with competitors like Compass, Corcoran, and Sotheby's International Realty, which she observed are "still navigating consolidation," The Real Deal reported.

How does this tie into Douglas Elliman's AI strategy?

Douglas Elliman is actively undergoing a major technology transformation, aiming to position itself as an "AI-forward company." A core component of this strategy is Elius, the firm's AI intelligence platform publicly announced in July 2026. Built on Google Cloud, Elius is designed to automate routine workflows, provide real-time pricing and market insights, accelerate lead generation, and improve client matching.

Gagliano's explicit mandate includes aligning day-to-day operations with the ongoing rollout of Elius, HousingWire noted. This integration is crucial for the platform to fulfill its promise of transforming market intelligence into a proprietary asset and creating new revenue streams beyond traditional brokerage.

What does this mean for the industry trend?

Gagliano's hire reflects a broader industry trend where large brokerages are increasingly looking to operations and technology leaders. These executives are vital for rationalizing costs, enhancing productivity, and seamlessly integrating AI-driven tools into agents' daily workflows, as observed by HousingWire.

Douglas Elliman has been busy building out its executive leadership in this vein. Recent key hires focusing on national brokerage operations and technology include:

• Lena Johnson as president of national brokerage in April 2026 (The Real Deal).
• Natalie Passerini as chief marketing officer in December 2025 (The Real Deal).
• Caitlin Chagan as president of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing in February 2026 (The Real Deal).
• Chris Reyes as chief technology officer in November 2025 (The Real Deal).
• Nick Patino as director of AI enablement in August 2026 (The Real Deal).
• Sharon Milz (CIO of Time) is slated to join as head of AI technology transformation (The Real Deal).

What are the expected outcomes?

With Gagliano at the operational helm and Elius at the technological forefront, Douglas Elliman anticipates significant savings. The firm projects reductions in non-commission operating expenses over the next three years. These savings are expected to be driven by technology consolidation, workflow modernization, and improved workforce productivity, all stemming from its Google Cloud transformation, HousingWire reported. Her role is central to ensuring these anticipated efficiencies are realized across the entire national brokerage.