Specialist, Community Engagement (2-year project contract)

Powered by Passion. United by Purpose. Build for Impact.

At Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership (MLSE), we exist to deliver the ultimate fan experience by lifting trophies, spirits, and communities – united as one.

We're more than a workplace. We are a team of passionate people, boldly building the future of sport and entertainment, together. We believe in the power of play, the strength of collaboration, and the energy that comes from showing up with purpose.

From the ice to the pitch, the hardwood to the digital arena, we’re proud to be the driving force behind the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), the Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC (MLS), Toronto Argonauts (CFL) and development teams with the Toronto Marlies (AHL), Raptors 905 (NBA G League), Toronto FC II (MLS NEXT Pro League) and Raptors Uprising Gaming Club, the Toronto Raptors Esports franchise in the NBA 2K League.

We bring these teams – and world-class entertainment – to life at our iconic venues, including Scotiabank Arena, BMO Field, Coca-Cola Coliseum, Ford Performance Centre, BMO Training Ground, and OVO Athletic Centre. Off the field, we serve up elevated dining at e11even, Real Sports, and our signature club spaces like Hot Stove Club, ScotiaClub, and Platinum Club.

Through MLSE Foundation and MLSE LaunchPad, we use the power of sport to help youth facing barriers reach their full potential. Since 2009, we’ve invested more than $45 million into Ontario communities -- and we’re just getting started.

This is what it means to be One MLSE: a culture where everyone plays a role, everyone belongs, and everyone contributes to something bigger than themselves.

So, if you're ready to play with purpose, grow with passion, and win as one, we’d love to have you on our team.

** We know that great candidates come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Even if you do not meet every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply. Your unique perspective, transferable skills, and lived experience may be exactly what we’re looking for. **

Job Description

MLSE LaunchPad is a 42,000 sq. ft. Sport for Development facility where youth facing barriers use sport to recognize and reach their potential. Supported by MLSE's professional sports teams—the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and Toronto FC—it is the first facility of its kind in North America. As a collaborative space promoting social change by leveraging sport, education and research, programming is focused on four pillars: Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Ready for School and Ready for Work. To learn more visit MLSELaunchPad.org.

As the organization expands into a new community facility in Weston (and Lawrence), we are seeking a Specialist, Community Engagement to ensure the new facility is community-rooted, youth-driven, and programmatically strong. This role acts as the community's voice within LaunchPad and LaunchPad's voice within the community.

You will support the design and execution of community consultations, build strategic partnerships, shape youth-centered programming, and support staff readiness. Your primary role is to continue to build trust, create relevance, and ensure that community feedback directly informs design decisions, programming, policies, and operations from construction through opening and beyond.

The successful candidate is a skilled facilitator and relationship-builder with deep experience in equity-focused community engagement and youth development- ideally as someone who is from, or currently lives within the York, South-Weston community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Consultation & Trust-Building

Support the design and execution of a multi-phase community engagement plan through opening

Act as the primary liaison between MLSE LaunchPad, and community partners, ensuring community voice informs decisions

Facilitate youth listening sessions, workshops, focus groups, and formulate advisory councils that offer diverse perspectives

Build authentic relationships with Weston residents, youth, families, schools, and local organizations

Ensure community feedback informs programming, policies, and operational decisions

Manage feedback loops and transparent communication and prepare materials for leadership and board updates summarizing progress, feedback, and outcomes of engagement activities

Represent MLSE LaunchPad with professionalism, authenticity, and cultural sensitivity

Amplify LaunchPad's reputation as a leader in Sport For Development and equitable, community-centered youth development

Engagement & Partnership Development

Identify and cultivate partnerships with schools, sport organizations, service providers, and community agencies aligned with LaunchPad's Theory of Change

Formalize referral pathways and participation agreements with partner organizations

Represent LaunchPad at community tables, coalitions, and local networks

Develop promotional materials and community outreach campaigns

Plan and coordinate events, community celebrations, and early programming in community, to maintain presence and develop relationships, throughout the construction process

Maintain consistent, transparent communication with all stakeholder groups

Coordinate engagement opportunities for donors, funders, and MLSE staff

Track and document community engagement activities and outcomes

Support the measurement of partnership strength, community participation, and program demand

Contribute to reports for leadership, funders, and community stakeholders

Program Design and Operational Readiness

Adapt LaunchPad programming model to reflect local Weston context, needs, and cultural strengths while co-designing pilot programs with youth and community partners

Collaborate with existing sport, research, and operations teams to develop program curriculum and program schedules, along with the development of program evaluation frameworks

Stay current on Sport for Development research and best practices

Support values-based recruitment of coaches, facilitators, and additional program staff

Co-design and co-deliver staff training and onboarding that reflects best practise in youth development, trauma-informed approaches, cultural competence, and community context

Create resources to help staff understand local context, community priorities, and youth needs

QUALIFICATIONS

Post-secondary degree in Community Development, Youth Outreach, Social Work, Youth Development, Recreation, or related field (or equivalent experience)

5+ years in community engagement, youth development, or program leadership

Strong relationship-building skills with diverse communities and youth-serving organizations with experience working in equity-focused, community-based environments

Excellent facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills with familiarity of trauma-informed practice and positive youth development frameworks

Knowledge of Sport for Development principles and youth programming

Strong understanding of the Weston community context and local issues affecting youth

Experience in onboarding and training young staff, or in regular staff development

Strong organizational and project coordination skills

Authentic, approachable, and trustworthy, you are a skilled listener able to adapt in dynamic environments

Collaborative mindset with ability to work across teams

Proficiency with Microsoft Office, collaboration tools, and basic digital communications platforms

Please apply by: Sunday, March 8th at 11:59 pm.

Job Posting Compensation Range/Rate:

$65,000-75,000 per year, plus vacation, competitive benefits, and many exciting perks.

We’re glad you’re here. Once you apply, we’ll follow up by email, and you can track everything in your Candidate Portal. Want instant updates? Opt-in for SMS notifications to stay in the loop.

At MLSE, we are committed to building an equitable, diverse and inclusive organization. We are an equal opportunity employer, and 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. MLSE 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]. This email is only for accommodation requests. Resumes sent to this email address will not be considered.