Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) one of the world's premier sports and entertainment companies, owns the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC (MLS), Toronto Argonauts (CFL), Toronto Marlies (AHL), Raptors 905 (NBA D-League), TFC II (USL) and Raptors Uprising Gaming Club, the Toronto Raptors Esports franchise in the NBA 2K League. Its charitable arm, MLSE Foundation, focuses on funding initiatives to support youth through sport and recreational programs. In 2017 MLSE Foundation, with support of community and corporate partners, built MLSE LaunchPad, a 42,000-sq. ft. space dedicated to programming that support its four Pillars: Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Ready For School and Ready For Work.

MLSE also owns and operates Scotiabank Arena, Canada’s premier sports & entertainment venue hosting more than 200 events each year, as well as two digital channels (Leafs Nation Network and NBA TV Canada), and has a partnership with Live Nation (the biggest concert promoter in the world). MLSE has also invested in and operates five of Toronto's sports facilities – Coca-Cola Coliseum, BMO Field, BMO Training Grounds at Downsview Park, home of Toronto FC's Academy and the First Team's practice facility, the Toronto Raptors’ training facility and the Ford Performance Centre, the practice facility for the Maple Leafs and Marlies.

MLSE’s common purpose is to unite and empower employees to deliver extraordinary moments to our fans and each other.

About the position:

You will be leading an energetic, dynamic and entrepreneurial Community Sport Programming Team that creates opportunities for youth across the GTA to engage in sport every year! This team prides itself on creating the absolute best experience for our community partners and participants, and puts our ‘youth first, always’ value at the core of its work.

As Director, Community Sport, you will strategically guide the design, implementation and management of the full portfolio of programming from league-required youth sport growth initiatives to the Sport For Development programming delivered by MLSE LaucnhPad and MLSE Foundation.  You will also serve as part of the MLSE’s community leadership team to provide strategic sport direction that can identify key program outcomes, build capacity for proprietary programs and lead efforts to implement the collaborative program frameworks.

If you have experience leading and managing youth programming, partnerships and collaborations, and are excited by the opportunity to work alongside MLSE’s brands to deepen impact and imagine innovative, new opportunities for community sport programming then we think you’ll enjoy the Director, Community Sport role.

Direct Reports

• Manager, Sport Programming (3)
  • MLSE LaunchPad internal
  • MLSE LaunchPad external
  • Team branded sport development

Responsibilities

Leadership Team

• Lead fiscal business planning for portfolio that contributes to the overall organizational business plan.
• Develop and monitor departmental budget that serves both corporate and charitable priorities.
• Report to MLSE LaunchPad Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.
• Make strategic decisions on growth, program scaling, and improvement opportunities.
• Ensure the full organizational commitment to equity, diversity & Inclusion is reflected in all programs.
• Represent the organization as a presenter at national and international conferences.

NHL, NBA, MLS and CFL league programs & relationships

• Lead MLSE’s community sport relationship with sport governing bodies, league partnerships and internal & external global partners across all four sports. 
• Establish MLSE, it’s teams, and MLSE LaunchPad as a collaborator and incubator in the Canadian sport sector.
• Develop team program strategies connected to brand reach and fan engagement.

Sport Programming Team

• Develop strategic plans and implement MLSE’s core team branded sport development programs including summer camps, clinics, tournaments, Learn to Play and Coaching programs (ex: Leafs Clinics Series, Raptors Coaches Open House, Toronto FC Camp).
• Develop strategies connected to community sport access and reach for youth facing barriers in a Sport For Development model (S4D).
• Design S4D curricula for MLSE Foundation and MLSE LaunchPad that achieve specific youth development outcomes based on global best practices.
• Recruit, train, coach and lead a diverse team of full-time and hourly sport programming staff.
• Create strong inter-sectoral partnerships (health, education, government, community, recreation and sport) to ensure best practice program development and implementation.

MLSE LaunchPad

• Direct all administrative aspects of sport programs delivered in the facility including budget, staffing and program logistics.
• Work closely with the Research and Evaluation team to ensure programs are measured and refined to achieve key outcomes and results.
• Work closely with all MLSE LaunchPad program partners to best understand their needs, assets and priority areas for capacity building.
• Remain up-to-date on new research and best practices that will enhance the quality and standards of program implementation and respond to changing community needs.
• Develop all appropriate program policies and procedures.

Experience

• 7+ years experience in developing and leading sport, recreation and community based programs and partnerships.
• 5+ years demonstrated leadership experience managing teams consisting of full time and part time staff in addition to external contractors.
• A post-secondary degree (Master’s or above an asset) in Physical Education, Kinesiology, Sport & Recreation Management, Community Engagement or another related field.
• Firm understanding of all four MLSE sports: Basketball, Soccer, Hockey & Football.
• Strong understanding of multi-sport and physical literacy best practices, the long-term athlete development model, the Canadian sport sector, and City of Toronto Sport plan.
• National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) certification and strong understanding of multi-sport best practices.

Skills

• Strong critical thinking and conceptual skills to plan strategically and the ability to translate this into practical and feasible operational program planning both in written and verbal formats.
• Ability to apply research findings to ongoing program development and continuous quality improvement efforts to increase program impact.
• Proven ability to guide and lead program strategy centered on providing a high-quality sport experience for youth.
• Knowledge of the strengths of the communities we serve as well as the barriers youth can experience to participating in sport. Additional understanding of the community services and sport sectors with a preference for expertise in youth is considered an asset. 
• Excellent ability to engage with diverse communities and community organizations with in ways that support their inclusion, participation and goals.
• Versatility, flexibility and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.  
• Work in alignment with all relevant legislation including but not limited to workplace standards and policies, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. 

Our organization is committed to deepening equity, diversity and inclusion in our workplace, and better representing the communities we serve. We encourage individuals who identify as Indigenous, Black, a person of colour, as having a disability and/or as a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities to apply.

Apply by  August 2, 2021

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in the job application process. If you have difficulty using our online application system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email [email protected]. Please note this email is only for accommodation requests. Resumes sent to this email address will not be considered.