Chief Executive Officer at London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS

The Organization

The London St. Thomas Association of REALTORS (LSTAR) is one of Canada's leading REALTOR associations, representing over 2,200 members across Middlesex and Elgin Counties in Southwestern Ontario. As a mission-driven organization, LSTAR provides professional development, market insights, community engagement, and advocacy to support its members.

LSTAR champions economic vitality, housing opportunity, environmental stewardship, and strong communities. Through innovative governance and strategic partnerships, LSTAR is recognized nationally for advancing the interests of real estate professionals and the communities they serve.

For more information about LSTAR, please visit their website.

The Opportunity

• Reports to: LSTAR Board of Directors
• Direct Reports (4): Sr. Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategy; Director of Administration; Director of Finance; and Director of MLS System and Compliance
• Location: London, Ontario Please note – this is an in-person role.

Mandate

The CEO serves as the strategic and operational leader of LSTAR, responsible for advancing the Association’s mission and delivering measurable outcomes aligned with the Strategic Plan. This leader will drive innovation, promote ethical leadership, strengthen governance, and cultivate a high-performance, fiscally responsible culture that is centred on member value and community impact.

As the face of LSTAR, the CEO will foster strong and transparent relationships with LSTAR’s partners and interested parties, including LSTAR members, multiple levels of government, community partners, neighbouring REALTOR organizations, and the Board of Directors. They will bring a future-focused lens to the organization and will ensure that LSTAR brings its membership along as it pursues its next phase. They will be a people-first relationship builder who embodies LSTAR’s mission, vision, and values.

Key Accountabilities

Visionary & Strategic Leadership

• Inspire confidence and alignment internally and externally by clearly defining and articulating the organization’s vision and mission.
• Anticipate trends in real estate, technology, and regulation to future-proof LSTAR’s value.
• Promote a culture of innovation and forward-thinking leadership in order to support the needs of the membership and the wider real estate industry.

Member Experience & Innovation

• Continuously improve offerings based on member needs and feedback.
• Foster a culture of experimentation, responsiveness, and service excellence.
• Ensure equitable access to high-impact, mission-aligned programs.

Organizational Effectiveness, Financial Performance, & Sustainability

• Maintain high performance standards, fiscal integrity, and policy compliance.
• Align budget planning and resource deployment with strategic direction, managing risk, ensuring internal controls, and safeguarding all assets.
• Lead the preparation and presentation of LSTAR’s annual budget.

Governance Partnerships & Board Relations

• Partner with the Board Chair and Executive Committee to design effective agendas and strategic focus areas.
• Ensure compliance with legal, fiduciary, and governance requirements (e.g. ONCA, TRESA).
• Provide regular reporting, analysis, and insight to inform Board oversight and policy.
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, and continuous development of Directors to strengthen governance capacity.

Visibility & Influence

• Serve, in conjunction with the Chair of the Board, as LSTAR’s spokesperson, shaping its voice, brand, and visibility across platforms and with interested parties, including government, media, community leaders, and industry partners.
• Advocate for housing affordability, property rights, and a sustainable real estate environment.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with the membership.
• Monitor and respond to legislative and regulatory developments.

People Leadership

• Lead, inspire, and align a mission-driven senior leadership team.
• Promote a culture of inclusion, professional development, and operational discipline.
• Assess capacity, identify gaps, and implement succession and contingency plans.

First-Year Deliverables / Measures of Success

Success in the first year will be determined by the candidate’s ability to:

• Guide the execution of the 2025-2027 Strategic Plan, with measurable impacts and responsiveness to market changes/external forces.
• Strengthen relationships with LSTAR’s membership and foster a service-oriented culture within the organization, ensuring that LSTAR’s membership is respected and appreciated.
• Utilize the risk registry to catalyze LSTAR’s progress in future-proofing the organization financially and operationally.
• Identify new and effective channels for communication with interested parties, including members and community partners.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have the following:

Education:

• A post-secondary education is welcomed.
• A demonstrated commitment to continuous education.
• CRAE and/or CAE designations are considered an asset.

Experience:

• Executive-level, strategic leadership experience. Leadership experience in an association context is welcomed.
• Proven ability to lead strategic initiatives and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Successful track record in financial oversight, public communication, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience leading diverse, high-performing teams in complex, member-driven organizations.
• Experience in or a strong understanding of the real estate and housing sector.
• Experience working with and reporting to a Board of Directors.

Competencies and Attributes:

• Visionary and strategic thinking with a focus on innovation, relevance, and effective member engagement.
• Deep understanding of governance, real estate (or another regulated sector), and advocacy.
• Familiarity with Ontario’s legal, governance, and compliance frameworks (e.g. ONCA, TRESA).
• Commitment to DEIA, ethical leadership, and public trust.
• High emotional intelligence and exceptional relationship-building skills.
• An empowering and trusting leadership style.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility

LSTAR is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. LSTAR recognizes that a diverse team benefits and is essential to service excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage members of racialized communities, indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity to confidentially self-identify at the time of application. In accordance with provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Mullen and LSTAR throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions

If this opportunity excites you, please send an application package, including your resume and cover letter, to [email protected]. In the subject line of your email, please include the organization’s name and the position title.