Job Opportunities

REALTOR® Advocacy & Public Policy

• Serve as the Association’s primary in-house staff leader for REALTOR® advocacy and local public policy.
• Work directly with the Illinois REALTORS® government affairs lobbyists team, serving as the primary liaison between the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and the Illinois REALTORS®.
• Monitor local and county legislation, regulations, and policy affecting REALTORS®, private property rights, housing, and commercial real estate; stay on top of issues as they move; and coordinate with Illinois REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS® on state and federal matters so CAR stays informed without duplicating their work.
• Analyze legislation and policy proposals and communicate their impact in clear, practical language that helps staff, volunteer leaders, and members understand complex issues.
• Occasionally produce issue briefs, redlines of ordinances and suggested amendment language, and talking points.
• Coordinate member testimony for hearings, and mobilize members for approved Calls for Action and grassroots initiatives.
• Be familiar with local issues including rental housing regulation (RLTO and successors), rent control, zoning and land use, development, ADUs, property taxes and assessments, transfer taxes, source-of-income protections, and fair housing, including Chicago’s redlining legacy and equitable-housing commitments.
• While this position will not serve as the Association’s registered lobbyist, the Vice President should bring the political acumen, policy expertise, and professional relationships needed to represent the Association, monitor public policy developments, and coordinate advocacy efforts with the Illinois Realtors and other partner organizations on behalf of the Chicago Association of Realtors.

Communications & Narrative

• Partner closely with the Communications team to shape and re-shape the public narrative on legislative and policy issues, keeping the Association’s advocacy positions and member-facing messaging aligned. This partnership is central to the role and time-sensitive, given how quickly local issues move.
• Provide timely, ongoing updates to CAR staff leadership and appropriate volunteer leaders as priority legislation and policy proposals move, identifying significant developments, potential member impact, emerging risks, decision points and recommended next steps.

Political Engagement

• Serve as staff liaison to the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Political Action Committee (CARPAC).
• Support the development and execution of the Association’s political engagement strategy in partnership with Illinois REALTORS®.
• Collaborate with internal teams on RPAC fundraising campaigns, recognition programs, communications, and events.
• Coordinate candidate engagement activities, political events, and advocacy initiatives approved by Association leadership.
• Ensure CARPAC activities are well organized, strategically aligned, and compliant with applicable policies and regulations.

CommercialForum & Commercial Engagement

• Serve as the staff executive responsible for the strategic growth and success of CommercialForum, the commercial division of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®.
• Own the commercial member experience end to end, serving as the Association’s primary relationship manager and go-to point of contact for commercial members and prospective members.
• Staff the CommercialForum Committee, partnering with volunteer leadership to establish priorities, develop initiatives, and execute the committee’s annual work plan.
• Set and drive an annual plan with clear goals for membership growth, engagement, retention, non-dues revenue, and overall member value, and report on progress against them.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with commercial brokers, developers, investors, property managers, lenders, attorneys, appraisers, and other commercial real estate professionals throughout the Chicago region.
• Lead outreach efforts to recruit new CommercialForum subscribers while strengthening engagement among existing members and re-engaging lapsed ones.
• Develop and deliver high-quality commercial education, networking events, business development opportunities, and member resources.
• Oversee the promotion, sales, and utilization of CommercialForum products and services, including Commercial Contracts Pro, CREXi member benefits, and future commercial offerings.
• Identify opportunities to expand commercial products, services, partnerships, sponsorships, and non-dues revenue.
• Collaborate with Membership, Communications, Education, and Events teams to increase awareness of CommercialForum offerings and ensure a seamless member experience.
• Monitor trends affecting the commercial real estate industry and recommend innovative programs, services, and educational offerings that respond to evolving market needs.
• Connect the commercial and advocacy sides of the role, ensuring commercial members’ interests are reflected in the Association’s policy positions on issues such as zoning, development, and commercial property taxes.
• Position CommercialForum as the leading commercial real estate network and resource for professionals throughout the Chicago region.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as the Association’s internal resource on advocacy and commercial real estate matters.
• Build collaborative relationships across departments to ensure advocacy, commercial engagement, communications, education, and membership initiatives are aligned.
• Prepare reports, presentations, recommendations, and strategic updates for the CEO, Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and volunteer leadership.
• Represent the Association at industry meetings, conferences, community events, and stakeholder gatherings.
• Assist with strategic initiatives and other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience required; advanced coursework or a degree in public policy, business, or a related field preferred.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs, public policy, advocacy, commercial real estate, association management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of Chicago, Cook County, and Illinois government and the legislative process.
• Experience building relationships with elected officials, community leaders, business organizations, or industry stakeholders.
• Experience staffing volunteer committees, boards, or advisory groups.
• Experience within a REALTOR® association, trade association, or membership organization a plus.
• Familiarity with RPAC, CARPAC, or REALTOR® advocacy programs preferred.
• Knowledge of commercial real estate markets and industry trends preferred.
• Established relationships within Chicago’s governmental, civic, or commercial real estate communities preferred.
• Certified Association Executive (CAE) a plus

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic leader with strong political acumen and the ability to translate public policy into meaningful member value.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret legislation and communicate complex issues clearly and meaningfully to members.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with comfort partnering with communications staff to shape public messaging.
• Proven relationship management across government, brokerage, and commercial real estate communities.
• Commercial real estate knowledge sufficient to lead CommercialForum and engage a commercial membership base.
• Skilled in stakeholder management and consensus building across executive, volunteer, and governance levels.
• Strong business development orientation, with experience growing membership, engagement, and non-dues revenue.
• Ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously, with strong project management and organizational skills.
• Sound judgment and discretion in politically sensitive situations.

• Occasional evening and weekend work required for meetings, hearings, programs, or events.
• Local travel required for meetings at City Hall, industry events, and community engagements; some travel for conferences or training as needed.
• This is a full-time, exempt position offering competitive benefits and opportunities for professional growth.
• This is a hybrid position, requiring in-office presence Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays.