Chief Executive Officer

Role Overview

This is a confidential leadership search for the future Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Palm Coast REALTOR® Association and Florida Gulf Coast MLS. The role offers the chance to guide a sophisticated, member-led organization and a technology-driven MLS at a pivotal moment for the real estate sector.

The CEO will partner closely with the Board of Directors to shape strategy, improve organizational effectiveness, grow member value, and keep both the Association and MLS forward-looking, financially stable, and prepared for sustainable expansion. The ideal leader is decisive, people-oriented, experienced in governance, strong at building teams, and able to convert strategic plans into measurable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic leadership and governance

• Work with the Board of Directors to define and deliver the organization’s mission, vision, strategic focus, and long-range objectives.
• Offer objective, well-informed advice to volunteer leaders while preserving the distinction between governance responsibilities and day-to-day operations.
• Convert board-approved policies and strategy into practical initiatives, clear metrics, and accountable execution.
• Keep leadership up to date on market shifts, risks, opportunities, and regulatory changes affecting organized real estate and the MLS landscape.

Organization and team leadership

• Hire, coach, motivate, and retain a strong professional team.
• Set clear goals, performance expectations, and accountability standards across departments.
• Foster a workplace that is collaborative, inclusive, and centered on service.
• Improve internal communication, leadership growth, succession planning, and operating efficiency.

MLS, technology, and innovation

• Oversee Florida Gulf Coast MLS operations, including technology, data services, compliance, vendor management, subscriber support, and future expansion.
• Assess new technologies, artificial intelligence, data approaches, and industry partnerships that can enhance service and performance.
• Make sure MLS rules, systems, and offerings keep pace with the needs of brokers, agents, consumers, and industry partners.
• Drive modernization efforts while safeguarding stability, data accuracy, and excellent customer service.

Financial and operational management

• Build and manage the annual budget in line with strategic priorities.
• Maintain sound financial controls, reporting, reserve planning, and allocation of resources.
• Oversee daily operations, facilities, contracts, insurance, technology, human resources, and risk oversight.
• Find ways to improve efficiency, broaden revenue sources, and strengthen long-term financial health.

Member value and industry engagement

• Enhance programs, services, training, communications, and advocacy that create clear value for members and MLS subscribers.
• Build productive relationships with brokers, members, volunteers, community leaders, government officials, strategic partners, and industry groups.
• Represent the Association and MLS in a visible, credible way at local, state, and national levels.
• Stay ahead of changing member expectations and ensure the organization responds with speed, relevance, and professionalism.

Compliance and risk management

• Ensure adherence to applicable laws, bylaws, policies, contracts, MLS rules, and industry standards.
• Operate with strong ethics, transparency, confidentiality, and fiduciary care.
• Collaborate with legal counsel, auditors, consultants, and regulators when needed.
• Safeguard the organization’s reputation, assets, data, and long-term interests.

Qualifications

• Substantial executive or senior leadership background in a REALTOR® association, MLS, trade association, nonprofit, brokerage, technology company, or similarly complex environment.
• A proven history of setting strategy and delivering measurable organizational outcomes.
• Deep understanding of governance, board relationships, policy execution, and volunteer leadership.
• Successful experience leading teams, managing change, and creating a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Strong financial capability, including budgeting, forecasting, analysis, reserve planning, and resource stewardship.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, relationship-building, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to balance competing priorities, complex stakeholder expectations, and rapidly evolving market conditions.
• Experience in MLS operations, real estate technology, data management, artificial intelligence, or digital transformation is strongly preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree in business, management, public administration, communications, real estate, or a related field; an advanced degree or relevant professional designation is preferred.
• Credentials such as REALTOR® Certified Executive, Certified Multiple Listing Executive, or comparable association/industry certifications are appreciated but not mandatory.

Leadership Profile

• A leader who thinks strategically without losing sight of execution.
• Someone collaborative enough to build consensus, yet willing to make difficult calls.
• Innovative, but not interested in technology for its own sake.
• Financially disciplined while still recognizing sound investment opportunities.
• Comfortable partnering with volunteer leaders while confidently directing professional staff.
• Visible, trustworthy, approachable, and committed to serving members and subscribers at the highest standard.

About the Organization

Royal Palm Coast REALTOR® Association and Florida Gulf Coast MLS support real estate professionals across Southwest Florida. Together, they provide advocacy, education, professional development, technology, data, compliance, and MLS services that help strengthen members, support the real estate market, and advance the profession.

The role is based in Fort Myers, Florida, and calls for an executive who will be actively engaged with the organization, its leadership, its members, and the communities it serves.

Confidential Executive Search

This search is being handled through a fully confidential process. Candidate details will not be shared or discussed outside the authorized evaluation process without prior consent, except where required by law or as part of an approved background check, reference check, or credential verification process.

Application Materials

Qualified candidates should provide a resume, cover letter, compensation expectations, and relevant professional credentials for review.