Executive Director, Social Development

City of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 223,000 - 297,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Toronto seeks a visionary Executive Director for Social Development. This role entails leading significant community programs, fostering inclusive partnerships, and ensuring the delivery of essential services to diverse communities while navigating Toronto's complex social landscape.

Qualifications

• Considerable experience in executive leadership within public sector.
• Expertise in designing and evaluating social development programs.
• Proven ability to navigate complex political landscapes.

Responsibilities

• Lead community development and social programs in Toronto.
• Set strategic direction aligned with Council priorities.
• Oversee large-scale investments and ensure effective service delivery.

Skills

Executive Leadership

Social Development

Team Management

Strategic Guidance

Collaborative Partnerships

Operational Excellence

Commitment to Equity

Job description

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• Job Category: Community & Social Services
• Division & Section:Community Development & Social Services, Social Development
• Work Location: City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
• Job Type & Duration: Full Time, Permanent
• Salary: $223,231.00 - $296,400.00 per year, Wage Grade 12
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Number of Positions Open: 1
• Posting Period:16-July-2025 - 06-August-2025

The City of Toronto has an exciting opportunity for a values-driven, strategic, and community-focused leader to serve as our Executive Director, Social Development. This is a chance for a talented executive to lead one of the most socially significant portfolios in Canada’s largest city, shaping our community development programs and championing the well-being of Toronto’s diverse communities.

As the Executive Director, you will be entrusted with leading a division that is central to the City’s mission of building a more equitable, safe, and compassionate Toronto. You will oversee a wide-ranging mandate that includes community development, poverty reduction, crisis response, youth development, equity, and community safety. These programs help keep our residents safe, engaged, and supported, and your leadership will ensure they are delivered with impact.

You will set the strategic direction for the Division, aligning its goals with Council’s priorities and the City’s broader vision for social justice and community resilience. You will serve as a key advisor to the Mayor, Council, and senior leadership, offering insight and guidance on some of the most complex and politically sensitive issues facing the city. Your work will require navigating competing interests, balancing system-wide policy with individual community needs, and ensuring that our decisions are based on equity and evidence.

Success in this role requires you to be both visionary, and results/operationally motivated. You will oversee the administration of major investment programs, youth employment and violence prevention initiatives, and the City’s relationships with community-based centres and grassroots organizations. You will lead the development of social monitoring tools and reporting systems that inform policy, guide resource allocation, and measure the social and economic health of Toronto’s neighbourhoods.

A connector and collaborator, the Executive Director builds strong partnerships across City divisions, agencies, and external stakeholders, including other levels of government, non-profit partners, and the private sector. Fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, you will ensure that services are responsive, efficient, and community informed. You will empower residents and amplify their voices in City decision making.

Internally, you will lead a high-performing team of professionals, setting multi-year workplans, driving performance, and cultivating a workplace culture rooted in respect, accountability, and inclusion. You will also play a key role in labour relations, organizational change, and compliance with health and safety standards.

Key Qualifications:

• Considerable executive leadership experience in a complex public sector or community-based environment, with a proven ability to set strategic direction and lead large, multidisciplinary teams toward impactful outcomes.
• Considerable experience and expertise in social development, such as experience designing, implementing, and evaluating programs related to housing, poverty reduction, crisis response, violence prevention, and community safety.
• Considerable experience in leading and motivating high-performing teams, with a strong commitment to fostering a psychologically safe, inclusive, and healthy workplace culture.
• Proven ability to provide strategic guidance and insight to elected officials and senior leaders, navigating complex political and social landscapes with sound judgment and integrity.
• Strong track record of building collaborative partnerships across government, community organizations, and other sectors to drive shared goals and deliver integrated, people-centered services.
• Operational excellence in managing large-scale programs and investments, including performance measurement, compliance, and continuous improvement in service delivery.
• Commitment to equity, anti-racism, and reconciliation, with a demonstrated ability to embed these principles into organizational culture, policy development, and community engagement.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.