Details

Posted: 11-Feb-25

Location: Overland Park, Kansas

Type: Full Time

Salary: $160k - $250k

Categories:

Executive Director/CEO

Additional Information:

Hybrid/Remote is allowed.

Certifications:

CAE

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Organization: National Auction Association (NAA)

Reports To: Board of Directors

Vision: To be the voice of the auction industry.

At A Glance: A strategic, industry-leading visionary tasked with driving the NAA’s mission by balancing traditional values with innovative practices, fostering external partnerships, and championing advocacy initiatives.

Summary: The CEO will serve as the primary leader of the NAA, responsible for driving strategic vision, ensuring financial sustainability and member value, and fostering an innovative yet inclusive environment that bridges traditional and modern auction practices. This leader will demonstrably enhance member value while guiding the organization's digital transformation and strengthening relationships across the auction community, including state associations.

Leadership Style: The CEO leadership style requires a collaborative and visionary leader who can balance traditional values with technological innovation. This includes strong communication and consensus-building skills, as well as a close partnership with the NAA Chief of Staff (CoS) to execute the organization's vision. Additionally, the CEO should have a growth mindset, integrity, adaptability, and comfort with both high-level strategic thinking and hands-on operational leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership and Vision:
  • Define and execute the NAA's strategic vision, aligning with its cornerstones: Education, Community, Advocacy, and Promotions.
  • Oversee the four cornerstones, working to achieve harmony in the overall association and execution of objectives for each.
  • Balance traditional association values with technological innovation, anticipating industry shifts and driving proactive change.
  • Ensure long-term organizational relevance and member value.
  • Foster a growth-oriented, positive culture.
  • Collaborate with the Board of Directors to align governance with strategic goals.
  • Develop and implement metrics for measuring member value and ROI.
  • Create and execute a comprehensive digital transformation strategy.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with state associations.
  • Bridge traditional auction practices with emerging technologies.
  • Develop specific metrics for measuring member value/return on investment.
• Communication & Collaboration:
  • Champion best practices in organizational communication, fostering open dialogue and information sharing across all levels.
  • Communicate strategic decisions, priorities, and goals to members, staff, and the board.
  • Maintain a visible and accessible leadership presence.
  • Engage with members and stakeholders, ensuring their voices are heard.
  • Build strong relationships and act as the face of the organization.
  • Foster collaboration between NAA and National Auction Foundation (NAF) boards.
  • Unite diverse stakeholders and build consensus.
  • Create a unified vision integrating Cornerstones into a long-term strategy.
  • Partner with the CoS to translate strategic vision into operational execution.
• Advocacy Leadership
  • Direct PAC and lobbying initiatives.
  • Represent NAA at industry events and partner organizations.
  • Drive member-focused advocacy aligned with organizational priorities.
• Member Growth & Engagement
  • Cultivate retention and recruitment strategies.
  • Guide and measure member benefits and value proposition.
  • Foster engagement pathways for diverse member segments, including next-generation professionals.
  • Establish feedback systems to ensure programs meet member needs.
• Financial & Operational Oversight:
  • Ensure the organization's financial health and long-term sustainability.
  • Provide financial leadership and strategic oversight, prioritizing long-term stability.
  • Develop and implement a value-based pricing strategy.
  • Create innovative revenue streams while optimizing cost structures.
  • Establish clear metrics for program ROI and member value delivery.
  • Implement transparent financial reporting practices.
  • Collaborate with the CoS to ensure operational alignment with the NAA's mission, values, and cornerstones.
  • Identify and pursue new opportunities to diversify and expand income.
  • Oversee the development of technology standards and best practices.
• Technology Leadership:
  • Lead digital transformation initiatives.
  • Ensure technology decisions balance innovation with accessibility.
  • Guide the development of digital resources and tools for members.
  • Foster innovation while respecting traditional auction values.
• Stakeholder Relations & External Partnerships:
  • Develop and maintain strong partnerships with state auction associations.
  • Create formal collaboration frameworks with key industry partners.
  • Establish regular dialogue with diverse member segments.
  • Build bridges between traditional and emerging auction practices.
  • Strengthen partnerships within and outside the auction industry to enhance the organization's voice and reach.
• Travel:
  • Extensive domestic travel (50-75%), including state association events, advocacy meetings, industry events, and like-minded organization events.
  • Flexibility for both short-term and extended trips, including occasional last-minute travel.
  • Potential international travel for global industry events or partnerships.

Performance Metrics:

The CEO's performance will be evaluated on:

• Membership growth and retention
• Financial stability and growth
• Program development and impact
• Stakeholder satisfaction
• Advocacy success and influence

Required Skills and Experience:

• Leadership & Communication:
  • Exceptional, transparent, and accessible communication.
  • Collaborative leadership, building consensus among diverse stakeholders.
  • Strategic vision, balancing tradition with innovation.
  • Relationship building that unifies diverse stakeholders, including state association and bridge building between generations.
• Industry Expertise:
  • Deep understanding of association management (auction industry preferred).
  • Financial acumen (association economics, accrual accounting, strategic decision-making).
  • Advocacy experience (legislative, regulatory, policymaker relationships).
• Member & Value Focus:
  • Commitment to membership value, growth, and engagement.
  • Proven success in creating/measuring member value, optimizing costs, and developing sustainable pricing.
• Digital & Adaptability:
  • Digital transformation leadership, including technology implementation.
  • Understanding of applying emerging technologies.
  • Adaptability to navigate complex challenges in a rapidly evolving environment.
• Personal Attributes:
  • Integrity, honesty, and transparency.
  • Willingness and ability to travel frequently.
• Operational competence to ensure strategic vision is implemented.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
• Leadership experience in a professional association or similar organization with a proven track record of success.
• Strategic planning development and implementation experience.
• Financial management and budgeting experience.
• Experience with:
  • Digital marketing and audience engagement.
  • Developing professional development and educational programs.
  • Building strategic partnerships.
  • Working with a board of directors or similar governing body.
• Active engagement history within the auction industry.
• Experience representing an organization at national and international events.

Additional Considerations:

• A strategic thinker comfortable with both high-level planning and hands-on operational leadership.
• Able to balance honoring NAA traditions with boldly embracing future innovation.
• Capable of transforming the business model for long-term sustainability in a rapidly changing environment.
• A leader who fosters a positive, supportive, and growth-oriented work environment.
• Comfortable with extensive travel, balancing in-office presence with frequent external engagements.
• Experienced and knowledgeable in overseeing remote workforces, ensuring effective collaboration and productivity.

Collaborative Leadership:

The CEO and CoS work in tandem to drive the NAA’s mission forward. They engage in regular strategic sessions and operational reviews, ensuring that visionary plans are translated into actionable outcomes. This partnership fosters a culture of transparency, mutual support, and joint accountability, where challenges are addressed collectively, and successes are celebrated as a unified leadership team.

Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@auctioneers.org.

About National Auction Association

Founded in 1949, NAA is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to auction professionals. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., the NAA represents the interests of thousands of auction professionals in the U.S., Canada and across the world. The NAA is a membership-based organization and represents a range of auction professionals who service a variety of industries. The association is dedicated to providing its members with educational programming and resources to help them advance themselves and, in turn, the industry. Members of the NAA abide by a strict Code of Ethics and are connected with an extensive network of auction professionals.

Connections working at National Auction Association