Chief Executive Officer

Coastal Virginia Association of REALTORS® (CoaVAR)

 

Location: Chesapeake, Virginia
Work location and arrangement: Chesapeake VA, in office
Reports to: Board of Directors
Position: Full-time
Annual base salary: $225,000, plus bonus + benefits

About the Association

The Coastal Virginia Association of REALTORS® brings together the Hampton Roads REALTORS® Association and the Virginia Peninsula Association of REALTORS® through their merger, serving approximately 4,500 members across Coastal Virginia. CoaVAR seeks an accomplished REALTOR® association executive to unite the organization, strengthen its operations, and advance the interests of its members and the communities they serve.

This is an opportunity to establish a shared culture and a strong operating foundation for a regional association, while respecting the relationships and contributions of both predecessor organizations.

Position Summary

The Chief Executive Officer serves as CoaVAR's Association Executive (AE) and chief staff executive, responsible for overall management, financial performance, staff leadership, and implementation of the strategic direction established by the Board of Directors. Working closely with the President and volunteer leadership, the CEO will translate Board priorities into measurable results and provide candid, informed advice on the association's opportunities, obligations, and risks.

We seek a seasoned executive with extensive NAR and REALTOR® association experience and a demonstrated record of leading complex operations. The successful candidate will bring the judgment to advise elected leadership, the discipline to manage a substantial membership organization, and the credibility to build trust across Coastal Virginia.

Key Responsibilities

Merger Integration and Strategic Leadership

• Lead the integration of people, policies, programs, technology, and operating practices into one cohesive association, maintaining continuity of member services.
• Build a shared identity and culture that gives members, staff, and volunteer leaders from both predecessor associations a meaningful voice in CoaVAR's future.
• Develop and execute a Board-approved strategic plan with clear priorities, measures, timelines, and accountability. Assess progress and recommend adjustments as member needs and industry conditions change.

Governance and Volunteer Leadership

• Serve as the principal staff advisor to the Board and President, providing timely financial information, decision materials, industry intelligence, and practical recommendations.
• Implement Board decisions and maintain a clear distinction between Board governance and staff management.
• Support effective committees, leadership development, and orderly leadership transitions. Maintain compliance with governing documents, NAR Core Standards, and applicable legal requirements in coordination with appropriate advisors.

Financial Stewardship and Operations

• Develop and administer the annual budget; oversee financial reporting, cash flow, reserves, internal controls, contracts, and protection of association assets.
• Work with volunteer financial leadership and professional advisors to support appropriate financial reviews, required filings, risk management, and long-term financial stability.
• Evaluate dues and non-dues revenue, program effectiveness, and operating costs against member value and strategic priorities.
• Oversee facilities, technology, member data, cybersecurity, vendors, documented procedures, and business continuity. Improve systems and service delivery through disciplined change management.

Staff Leadership

• Recruit, develop, supervise, and evaluate staff; establish clear authority, performance expectations, and accountability.
• Build a professional, collaborative workplace with strong communication, cross-training, succession planning, and consistent member service.
• Align staffing and organizational structure with CoaVAR's strategic goals and financial resources.

Member Value and Professional Standards

• Strengthen member engagement, retention, education, professional development, and communications, using member feedback and performance data to guide decisions.
• Build productive relationships with brokers, members, affiliates, and volunteer leaders throughout Coastal Virginia.
• Ensure effective administration of professional standards, ethics, and dispute-resolution responsibilities in accordance with applicable policies and service arrangements, working with qualified staff, counsel, and partners.
• Maintain effective relationships with MLS and other industry service providers, understand the association's related rights and obligations, and oversee services within CoaVAR's actual authority.

Advocacy and External Relationships

• Work with elected leadership, government affairs resources, and relevant committees to advance private property rights, housing opportunity, and Board-approved public policy priorities.
• Provide executive leadership for REALTOR® Party engagement, RPAC participation and fundraising, and grassroots advocacy, with appropriate compliance oversight.
• Maintain strong working relationships with the National Association of REALTORS®, Virginia REALTORS®, peer associations, public officials, and community and business partners.
• Represent CoaVAR publicly in coordination with elected leadership and within Board-authorized spokesperson responsibilities.

Qualifications

Required

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible REALTOR® association management experience, including at least five years as a CEO, Association Executive, Executive Director, or comparable senior executive with NAR.
• Extensive working knowledge of NAR governance, policies, Core Standards, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, professional standards, and the relationships among local, state, and national REALTOR® organizations.
• Demonstrated substantive engagement with NAR and state REALTOR® associations through leadership, committee service, policy implementation, advocacy, or comparable responsibilities.
• A record of leading an association of comparable scale and complexity, or equivalent senior responsibility across financial management, staff leadership, governance, and member services.
• Demonstrated success managing budgets, financial controls, staff performance, technology, vendors, and organizational change, with measurable improvements in service or operating performance.
• Proven ability to advise a volunteer Board, work effectively through annual leadership transitions, build consensus, and manage sensitive issues with integrity and discretion.
• Strong communication, public speaking, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, together with sound political and financial judgment.
• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant executive experience.
• Ability to participate in local, state, and national meetings and travel, including occasional evening and weekend commitments.

Preferred

• REALTOR® association Certified Executive (RCE) and/or Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation.
• Successful leadership of a merger, consolidation, regional integration, or significant organizational transformation.
• Experience strengthening advocacy, RPAC engagement, non-dues revenue, and member participation.
• Knowledge of Virginia's real estate and association environment and experience working with MLS organizations and industry technology partners.

Compensation and Benefits

Annual base salary is $225,000, plus bonus + benefits

How to Apply

Submit a resume and a cover letter describing your REALTOR® association leadership experience, substantive NAR involvement, operational results, and experience leading organizational change.

 

Submit applications to: jeremy@lnf.com
Application deadline: Open until filled
Search contact: Jeremy Caleb Johnson, Chair, CEO Search Committee

 

Professional references may be requested during the selection process.

CoaVAR is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to any status protected by applicable law.