This position is located in our Chicago, IL office only.  

Position Summary:

Drive transformational member experiences as the strategic leader of NAR's comprehensive event portfolio. This executive role orchestrates both virtual and in-person experiences that elevate stakeholder engagement, strengthen member value, and advance organizational objectives through innovative, data-driven event strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Event Portfolio Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive multi-year strategic roadmap for all stakeholder events, aligning with NAR's business objectives and member lifecycle goals
• Innovation Leadership: Pioneer emerging event technologies and experiential formats to differentiate NAR's member experience and maintain competitive advantage
• Financial Stewardship: Own P&L responsibility for event portfolio, optimizing ROI while delivering exceptional member value and driving revenue growth and profitability
• Stakeholder Alignment: Collaborate with C-suite executives and department heads to ensure event strategies support broader organizational initiatives

Event Excellence & Execution

• Full-Cycle Event Management: Direct comprehensive event lifecycle from conceptualization through post-event analysis, ensuring flawless execution across all touchpoints
• Hybrid Experience Design: Architect seamless integration between virtual and in-person components, maximizing accessibility and engagement across diverse member preferences
• Vendor Ecosystem Management: Cultivate strategic partnerships with premium vendors and service providers, negotiating favorable terms while maintaining quality standards
• Performance Optimization: Implement robust analytics frameworks to measure success metrics, member satisfaction, and business impact, driving continuous improvement

Team Leadership & Development

• High-Performance Team Building: Recruit, develop, and retain top-tier event professionals across multiple locations, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Lead matrix relationships with marketing, communications, technology, and operations teams to ensure cohesive event experiences
• Mentorship & Growth: Provide strategic guidance and professional development opportunities to team members, building future event leaders
• Change Management: Guide organizational transformation initiatives related to event modernization and digital engagement strategies

Member Experience & Engagement

• Member-Centric Design: Leverage member insights and behavioral data to create personalized, relevant experiences that drive participation and satisfaction
• Community Building: Design networking and enrichment opportunities that strengthen member connections and advance professional development
• Accessibility & Inclusion: Ensure all events are accessible and inclusive, accommodating diverse member needs and preferences
• Lifetime Value Enhancement: Create experiences that strengthen member retention, engagement, and advocacy

Required Qualifications:

Leadership Experience

• Executive Leadership: 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in event management, with 5+ years at senior executive level
• Team Management: Proven track record building and scaling high-performing teams across multiple geographic locations
• Strategic Planning: Demonstrated success developing and executing multi-million-dollar event strategies for large-scale companies

Technical Expertise

• Event Technology Mastery: Deep expertise in virtual event platforms, hybrid experience design, and emerging event technologies
• Digital Transformation: Experience leading digital innovation initiatives and technology adoption in event environments
• Data Analytics: Proficiency in event analytics, performance measurement, and data-driven decision making
• Project Management: Advanced project management capabilities with experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives

Industry Knowledge

• Association Experience: Preferred experience in association management, membership organizations, or related sectors
• Corporate Events: Extensive background in large-scale corporate event management, including conferences, trade shows, and executive programs required
• Regulatory Awareness: Understanding of industry compliance requirements and risk management protocols

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Advanced Education: MBA or relevant work experience preferred
• Professional Certifications: CMP (Certified Meeting Professional), CEM (Certified in Exhibition Management), or similar industry credentials
• Industry Recognition: Recipient of industry awards or recognition for event excellence and innovation
• Global Experience: International event management experience with multi-cultural stakeholder groups
• Exceptional Negotiator: Proven track record contracting exceptional agreements with vendor/partners

Success Metrics:

• Member engagement and satisfaction scores
• Event attendance growth and retention rates
• Portfolio financial performance and ROI
• Team performance and retention
• Innovation adoption and member feedback
• Strategic objective achievement

Working Environment:   

• Travel Requirements: 25-30% travel for event oversight and stakeholder meetings
• Schedule Flexibility: Evening and weekend work required during major events
• Remote Work: Hybrid work environment with flexibility for remote work when not traveling
• Collaborative Culture: Matrix organization requiring strong cross-functional partnership skills

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of member engagement at NAR while leading a dynamic team in an innovative, fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will be a visionary leader who combines strategic thinking with operational excellence to deliver transformational member experiences.

Compensation: $225,000-$250,000. NAR provides comprehensive benefits including health/dental/vision insurance.  

Organizational Overview:

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is a team of professionals dedicated to providing world-class service to over 1.5 million REALTORS® working in the United States and around the world. The real estate industry is fast-paced and fast-changing--each year, our members participate in the sale, lease, and management of real estate. As in every industry, our members’ value proposition is constantly being challenged by innovation.

It is our mission to empower REALTORS® as they preserve, protect and advance the right to real property for all. We cannot do that without the ideas, passion, and commitment from our talented employees. As our greatest assets, employees are offered their pick of competitive benefits/perks and flexible work options. Our most successful employees are committed to our Core Values, which are:
 

Putting members first
Leading change
Advancing diversity and inclusion
Giving respect
Collaborating
Communicating