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.