The Crows will seek to find a replacement as soon as possible for Fagan, who joined the club in 2014.

"In recent times we have made a number of key decisions, relating to both football personnel and other areas of strategic focus, with a view to best preparing the club for a post (COVID-19) pandemic Australian sporting landscape," Fagan said in a statement on Thursday.

"The CEO who leads the club through this process must be in it for the long haul and I am not that person."

Fagan said he believed the chief executive's job should not be "a long-term role for any individual".

Fagan's resignation means the Crows, who finished bottom last season for the first time since the club's 1991 inception, will have two new off-field leaders.

Former SA premier John Olsen was appointed club chairman last October, replacing Rob Chapman who held that post for a dozen years.

Olsen said a replacement for Fagan would be found as soon as possible.

"Given the much talked about changes that have taken place, including the commencement of a rebuild of the playing list and development of a new strategic plan following the global pandemic ... the timing is now right," Olsen said in a statement.

"When Andrew first arrived at the Crows, he spoke openly about his term being in the vicinity of five to seven years.

"We now need a CEO who will steer the club through this next phase and Andrew will continue in his role for some time to come to assist in the transition process."

Australian Associated Press