NAR cuts 61 jobs, highlights strategic shift 

The National Association of Realtors is cutting 61 jobs as part of a "months-long strategy to reduce costs, streamline operations and reposition itself to offer robust solutions and support for its members and consumers."

In addition to the cuts, NAR highlighted changes to its leadership team, pulling together new additions and recent promotions via a March 28 statement.

What jobs are being eliminated? The association did not identify specific roles, but said 41 positions would be cut, along with 20 open jobs "that could be integrated elsewhere in the organization." Nearly a dozen departments were affected, including Member Engagement, Research, Finance, PR and Creative and Content Strategy.

New faces and promotions: NAR pointed out the recent additions of chief financial officer Matthew Cenedella, special advisor Sherry Chris, senior vice president of industry relations Jarrod Grasso and chief human resources officer Sharon White.

Additionally, Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn was recently promoted to executive vice president, while Mark Birschbach was elevated to executive vice president for strategic business, innovation and technology, NAR noted.

What NAR had to say: At the NAR NXT conference last fall, NAR President Kevin Sears said the organization would "be leaner in how we operate" following its $418 million settlement, and leadership would "scrutinize the budget for instances that don't directly contribute to member value."

Speaking to NAR's board of directors at the same event, NAR CEO Nykia Wright pledged to improve broker relationships, "put talent in the right places" and change the "negative narratives" around the organization. The latest staffing moves appear to align with the path she laid out at the time.

"The industry is changing, and it is our responsibility to lead and change with it," Wright said in the March 28 announcement. 

"As we continue managing our finances to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, we need to invest in the best people, adopt the right processes, and apply the most advanced, cost-effective technology while remaining prudent financial stewards of the enterprise."