Job Description

T3 Sixty is working with a client who is actively searching for an Association CEO in White Plains, New York.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the senior executive leader of the organization, providing strategic, operational, and cultural leadership for a large, merged association of approximately 13,000 members. The CEO partners closely with the Board of Directors and volunteer leadership to strengthen member value, improve broker engagement, unify the organization across multiple counties, and ensure long-term relevance in a rapidly evolving real estate industry.

The CEO is responsible for leading and developing staff, ensuring operational excellence, financial stewardship, and effective governance. The role requires strong capability in assessing and implementing technology, navigating complex MLS and government affairs environments, and plays an important role in supporting the organization’s relationship with OneKey MLS and related governance considerations.

Roles & Responsibilities

1. Provide strategic leadership and vision in partnership with the Board, including updating and advancing the organization’s strategic plan.
2. Lead cross-county integration efforts to increase cohesion and equitable engagement across all regions.
3. Support and guide volunteer leadership by providing executive partnership to the Board of Directors, committees, and task forces to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and effective governance.
4. Drive member value strategy, translating member and broker needs into tangible programs, services, and communications.
5. Strengthen broker relationships through direct engagement and value-building initiatives tailored to brokerage leadership.
6. Lead financial management and operational stewardship, including budget leadership, cost management, and long-term sustainability planning.
7. Develop and execute strategies for non-dues revenue growth, balancing innovation with prudent risk management.
8. Assess and implement technology and management systems that improve operational efficiency, service delivery, and measurable member outcomes.
9. Provide strategic oversight of communications, public relations, and media engagement to strengthen the organization’s voice and visibility within the real estate industry and broader community.
10. Partner with government affairs leadership to support advocacy priorities, and maintain strong relationships with local and regional elected officials and stakeholders.
11. Lead organizational culture, talent development, and performance management to strengthen staff effectiveness and retention.
12. Oversee enterprise and governance complexity related to MLS operations and ownership, including understanding and navigating applicable operating agreements, partner relationships, and board-level decision-making.
13. Lead crisis/risk management and decision-making, anticipating challenges and responding with clarity, transparency, and sound judgment.
14. Serve as the public-facing executive for the organization, representing the organization professionally and collaboratively across industry, civic, and partner communities.
15. Oversee professional standards processes and ensure compliance with the REALTOR Code of Ethics, including arbitration, dispute resolution, and related member education.

Minimum Requirements

• 5+ years senior executive leadership experience in an association or MLS
• Demonstrated success leading teams, improving culture, and managing organizational change in a complex environment.
• Strong financial acumen, including P&L understanding, budgeting, expense management, and revenue diversification.
• Experience assessing, implementing, and leveraging technology to improve operations and member value.
• Ability to partner effectively with a board-led governance structure and navigate volunteer leadership dynamics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including high emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and effective stakeholder management.
• Proven ability to build relationships across diverse constituencies, including brokers, members, staff, elected officials, and partner organizations.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking, strategic, and steady leader who can unify a large, merged association while balancing strong interpersonal leadership with operational discipline. This person brings credibility with brokers, volunteer leaders, and staff, and has the presence and judgment to lead the organization through a period of transition while strengthening cohesion across its diverse geographic footprint.

This leader is analytical and action-oriented, able to assess what is working, identify what needs to change, and execute a thoughtful plan that measurably improves member value and broker engagement. They are financially adept and operationally strong, with the ability to improve performance, manage costs, and grow non-dues revenue without defaulting to dues increases, while also being comfortable navigating governance complexity, including MLS-related oversight and partnership dynamics.

The ideal candidate is a high-EQ communicator who demonstrates excellent tone, clarity, and transparency in both written and verbal communication, and can make firm decisions while keeping relationships healthy. This leader listens first, learns the organization, and then builds alignment around a clear direction grounded in the needs of members and the strategic priorities of the Board.

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