California Association of REALTORS® is looking for a Chief Operations Officer who is an extremely organized, strong strategic leader, and collaborative partner, who can help move C.A.R. forward. This person will work closely with the CEO and the Leadership Team to help drive organizational priorities, improve communication and coordination across departments, and ensure the organization is operating efficiently and effectively. The ideal candidate must be able to lead large-scale projects, manage complex operations, and build strong relationships with staff, leadership, and our volunteer members. We are looking for someone who is proactive, solution-oriented, and comfortable making decisions while also understanding the importance of culture, communication, and accountability. Association experience and the ability to work effectively with elected leadership are extremely important, as this role will help oversee key operational areas, improve organizational effectiveness, and ensure we continue delivering a high level of service to our 200,000 members.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Operations Officer of the California Association of REALTORS® is the senior vice president of operations and provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Association’s Operations Group, ensuring effective management of programs, resources, and organizational services. The COO is responsible for the management of Operations area budgets and overall performance overseeing Human Resources, Customer Contact Center operations and Meeting Services. Reporting directly to the CEO, and in partnership with a strong staff team, this COO partners with the CEO to translate long-term goals into actionable daily operations while assisting the CEO in supporting the Association’s elected officers.

Compensation Range: $300,000 to $350,000 annually
Benefits: Competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution, 12 Paid Holidays, PTO, and more!

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports

Vice President of Customer Experience and Operations
Human Resources Manager
Manager of Meeting Services (2)
Leadership Engagement Manager

Other key relationships

Current and potential C.A.R. members
National Association of REALTORS® and other related associations

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

Association background
Possess a strong understanding of association dynamics of membership-based organizations, including effective partnership with volunteer Boards of Directors and member leadership.

Demonstrated senior leadership experience and business acumen
Direct accountability for leading operational functions to align people, strategy, operations, budgeting, and service delivery to support organizational performance, member value, and support long-term organizational success; leadership experience in a membership organization context preferred.

Experience with the California labor and employment laws
Possess a strong understanding of California labor and employment laws, regulations, and workplace practices, including the ability to navigate complex employee relations and compliance matters in a dynamic organizational environment.

Financial & Contract Oversight
Experience with contract administration, benefits program oversight, budget management, and fiscal oversight responsibilities, including stewardship of organizational resources, vendor relationships, operational processes, and organizational accountability.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Strategic Thinking

• Works with the CEO to create a strategic plan based on current and future market realities, providing a “big picture” perspective informed by a clear understanding of the most pressing issues for the membership.
• Maintains an awareness of the challenges and opportunities for members and the broader industry and collects and analyzes data on the membership to help determine their ongoing needs. Adjusts the Association’s actions and approach as appropriate in order to help C.A.R. members navigate the changing industry context. Remains current on emerging technologies that are relevant for the industry and the association.
• Thinks 3-5 years ahead beyond the current defined strategy.

Collaborating and Influencing

• Quickly engages and develops trusted relationships with a complex and diverse membership to build alignment on C.A.R.'s agenda.
• Articulates C.A.R.'s value proposition effectively and serves as a compelling and credible spokesperson to a range of stakeholders, including existing and prospective members, California policymakers and regulators, other related trade associations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs with a focus on private property rights), and the public.

Leading People

• Engages, inspires, and empowers a motivated and high-performing team, bringing out each team member’s personal best while modeling passion for C.A.R.’s mission.
• Effectively communicates the organization’s long-term direction to all relevant stakeholders and collaborates with the team on how to reach it.
• Delegates strategic objectives to the whole team with clear and explicit intent and calls upon team members to contribute to the best of their ability; focuses on the team’s growth and development as a group and as individuals.
• Defines measurable goals and regularly collects data to track where the organization stands on its equity, diversity and inclusion efforts.
• Continues to promote a healthy organizational culture with independent and open communication among team members, the Board, and other stakeholders.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS

If you wish to submit application materials to apply for this position, please email: COOSearch@car.org

The California Association of REALTORS® is one of the country’s most influential statewide trade associations dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. Today, the California Association of REALTORS® includes 96 local member Associations and more than 200,000 REALTORS®, REALTOR®-associates and affiliate members who abide by a rigid code of professional ethics. The Association emphasizes the development and distribution of products, programs and services which assist members to achieve success in their individual real estate businesses, while continuing to be the premiere representative of private property rights and of real estate professionals in the public policy arena.

C.A.R. Mission Statement
Shape, promote and protect an environment for the entire real estate industry, one in which California REALTORS® can succeed in meeting the real property needs of consumers.

C.A.R. Vision Statement
C.A.R. drives innovation and opportunity in the real estate profession and market.

C.A.R. Operating Values

Property Ownership. We believe property ownership builds financial security and thriving, sustainable communities. We strive to make property ownership attainable for all who are committed to working toward it.

Property Rights. We believe that the freedom to buy, sell, maintain, and improve real property is a fundamental right.

Inclusion. We believe that a conscious, persistent effort to further diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging within our community and our organization will drive greater success and innovation through the contribution of different perspectives and ideas.

The REALTOR® Difference. We believe that REALTOR® signifies:

• Professionalism: a commitment to the highest ethical standards in the real estate profession.
• Competence: a commitment to lifelong learning and a high level of knowledge and expertise in the ever-changing profession of real estate.
• Trust: reliable, credible real estate guidance and accurate, comprehensive data.
• Community: belief in the power of community and the commitment to engage, contribute, educate and lead.

Collaboration and Trust. We believe we are stronger when we collaborate and form relationships based on mutual goals, open communication, fairness, and transparency.

Key C.A.R. Programs and Services

• Legal services: Provides summaries of legislation and real estate cases, as well as a Legal Hotline for transaction questions.
• Political advocacy: C.A.R. advocates for REALTOR® issues in Sacramento and Washington D.C. and works with local associations to advocate for property rights.
• Transaction support: Development and continuous updating of standard forms available to members.
• Education: Develops and supports a wide array of real estate educational courses and certifications.
• Meetings and events: Virtual and in-person educational and networking events, including the annual REimagine! Real Estate Conference & Expo, AI NOW and Woman Up!
• Knowledge center: Centralized information on California’s housing market, economy, and issues impacting the industry.
• MLS and professional standards: Guidelines about MLS rules and professional standards.
• Community and foundation programs: A range of programs in which C.A.R. members may participate, including Californians for Homeownership, the Scholarship Foundation, and Diversity and Inclusion Programs.
• Marketing tools and resources: Develops and partners with third parties to provide materials to educate consumers about the intricacies of buying and selling a home and the value of using a REALTOR® as well as tools to help members personalize their own marketing.

FURTHER INFORMATION
The California Association of REALTORS® is headquartered in Sacramento, California, with a staff of 160. For further information, please visit https://www.car.org/.