The National Association of Realtors (NAR) announced an “organizational revamp” aimed at reducing costs, streamlining operations and positioning NAR to be more responsive to both industry and member needs.

Part of that restructuring involves a “staffing makeover that will impact 41 positions and eliminate 20 open roles that were redundant or that could be integrated elsewhere in the organization, for a total of 61 positions affected,” NAR said in a release. Those positions were in the following departments: creative and content strategy, digital strategy, public relations and communications, meetings and events, member development, human resources, member engagement, member experience, research, finance and IT.

NAR will reallocate budget money from the cut positions toward advocacy, research, data and education to “provide members access to more useful and critical resources,” NAR said.

“The industry is changing, and it is our responsibility to lead and change with it,” NAR CEO Nykia Wright said. “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.”

Wright said she is focusing NAR on its priority initiatives: redefining the member experience, strengthening relationships with brokerages and associations, and ensuring its governance structure facilitates agile, forward-looking discussions and decision making. 

Several changes were also made to NAR’s senior leadership team. Following the recent naming of Matthew Cenedella chief financial officer, promoted Jonathan Waclawski from vice president, political advocacy to general counsel and senior vice president, legal.

Other promotions include Shannon McGahn from senior vice president to executive vice president in addition to her existing role as chief advocacy officer, and Mark Birschbach from senior vice president to executive vice president strategic business, innovation and technology.

NAR also hired Jarrod Grasso as senior vice president of industry relations, Sherry Chris as special advisor of brokerages, and Sharon White as chief human resources officer.