Senior Director, Financial Operations

This position is located in NAR's Chicago, IL office only

Position Summary:

The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) seeks a Senior Director of Financial Operations to lead and modernize its disbursement, accounts payable, and vendor management functions through strategic leadership, systems optimization, and data-driven process improvement. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this leader will play a pivotal role in ensuring accuracy, transparency, and accountability across NAR's financial systems and payment operations.

Under new executive leadership, NAR is entering a transformative chapter focused on financial modernization, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making. The Senior Director will assess and strengthen current processes, lead the optimization of NetSuite workflows, and implement a clear framework for approvals, controls, and compliance across all divisions. They will bring order, structure, and strategic oversight to the full disbursement lifecycle- from vendor setup through payment execution- ensuring that financial operations reflect NAR's commitment to transparency, integrity, and excellence.

Overseeing a team of five, including managers and specialists across accounts payable, cash management, card programs, and disbursements, the Senior Director will foster a culture of accuracy, service, and collaboration. The ideal candidate is both a builder and an operator- someone who can evaluate, design, and implement systems while leading people through change. They will partner closely with the CFO and internal departments to ensure that financial operations not only run efficiently but also position NAR for long-term success.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Financial Operations Leadership

Lead the organization's full procure-to-pay operations, including procurement, accounts payable, cash management, and card programs, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and compliance across NAR's multiple entities.Oversee a team of five direct reports, providing leadership, coaching, and direction to build a high-performing, collaborative finance operations team.Partner with the CFO and other senior financial leaders to align procurement and disbursement functions with organizational priorities and financial strategies.

Systems Implementation & Process Modernization

Drive the continued implementation and optimization of NetSuite, ensuring workflows for disbursements, vendor approvals, and compliance are automated, standardized, and fully integrated.Establish standardized approval hierarchies, workflows, and documentation practices that ensure operational accuracy and audit readiness.Identify and implement process improvements that automate manual tasks, improve efficiency, and strengthen data integrity across systems.

Vendor & Contract Management

Oversee vendor lifecycle management, ensuring accurate onboarding, data integrity, and adherence to internal and regulatory requirements.Manage contract compliance and vendor performance, partnering with Legal and Finance to uphold organizational standards and service quality.Lead development of policies and internal controls for vendor setup, payment authorization, and disbursement activities Implement a centralized contract lifecycle management approach (repository, renewals, obligations tracking) to improve visibility, compliance, and audit readiness.Champion supplier diversity by developing initiatives and partnerships that expand opportunities for diverse, minority-owned, women-owned, and small businesses, aligning with NAR's broader commitment to equity and inclusion.

Financial Controls, Risk & Compliance

Design and maintain internal controls to safeguard assets, reduce financial risk, and ensure compliance with policies, regulations, and audit standards.Develop and enforce clear governance over purchasing, payments, and vendor transactions, ensuring accountability at every stage of the process.Collaborate with Finance, Legal, and Internal Audit to maintain proper documentation and readiness for all financial reviews.

Analytics, Reporting & Transparency

Develop and maintain financial dashboards and reporting tools to provide leadership visibility into vendor activity, disbursement trends, and process efficiency.Use data and analytics to drive operational insights, inform strategic decisions, and strengthen audit readiness and financial accountability.Analyze association-wide spending patterns and drive initiatives that reduce costs, eliminate redundancies, and improve operational effectiveness.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

Build a culture of excellence, service, and collaboration that reflects NAR's commitment to transparency, integrity, and member trust.Serve as a strategic partner to departments across NAR and other affiliated entities, providing guidance and support on financial workflows, vendor management, and disbursement practices and gaining buy-in for standardized practices and consistent financial discipline.Provide expertise and training to empower teams to navigate new systems confidently and effectively.

Qualifications:

• Min of 7 years of progressive experience, in finance operations, accounts payable or disbursement management including leadership roles managing staff in a complex, multi-entity, or matrixed environment.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field required; master's degree or professional certification preferred
• Proven track record leading ERP/financial system implementations (preferably NetSuite), with deep understanding of workflows, automation, and data integrity.
• Proven ability to assess, redesign, and implement internal controls, workflows, and approval structures that strengthen transparency, compliance, and audit readiness.
• Strong financial and analytical acumen with the ability to interpret spend data, identify efficiencies, and translate insights into actionable strategies.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills with the ability to build, mentor, and inspire teams, gain buy-in across departments, and drive organizational change with diplomacy and credibility.
• Strategic and hands-on- equally comfortable designing enterprise frameworks and managing day-to-day execution in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

Compensation: $150,000-$200,000

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 approximately 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. 

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