Senior Manager, Venue & Community Space Rentals

NAFOR; Toronto; On-site; CAD 125,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public service organization in Toronto seeks a Senior Manager for Venue & Community Space Rentals. Responsibilities include leading rental services, managing a team of over 50 staff, and developing budgets to ensure cost-effective operations. The role requires significant management experience, strong communication skills, and a commitment to equitable service. This hybrid position offers a salary between $125,000 to $155,000 per annum.

Qualifications

• University degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management or Business Management is preferred.
• Significant management experience in partnership development and operations planning.
• Demonstrated ability to operate as a project leader and part of management team.

Responsibilities

• Provides organizational vision, leadership and direction for space rental services.
• Plans, implements and evaluates initiatives and services to meet customer needs.
• Accountable for effective management of financial resources.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Analytical Skills

Project Management

Conflict Resolution

Education

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)

Job description

Senior Manager, Venue & Community Space Rentals

OVERVIEW: The Toronto Public Library (TPL) is North America’s busiest urban public library system, employing approximately 2,400 staff and serving over 12 million visitors annually across 100 branches. TPL offers a wide range of services and programs, supporting lifelong learning and community engagement for the diverse population of Toronto.

Job Summary

Provide overall leadership in planning, managing, and evaluating venue and community space rental services for Toronto Public Library.

• Reports to the Director, Service Development & Innovation
• Leads planning, management, and evaluation of venue and community space rental services
• Oversees a team of 50+ staff, including a Manager, Operations, Sales Supervisors, and unionized staff
• Manages rentals for 100+ community rooms, 12 premium event venues, and 3 performing arts theatres across 100 library branches
• Balances public service needs with revenue generation through system-wide space-use initiatives
• Develops and administers budgets related to space rentals
• Handles special assignments with system-wide impact
• Fosters innovation and a collaborative, user-centered approach to service design

Reporting and Salary

Reports to: Director, Service Development & Innovation
Salary: $125,000 to $155,000 per annum
Location: Fairview Public Library – 35 Fairview Mall Drive, Toronto, ON M2J 4S4
Hybrid: Full-Time Permanent role (Hybrid – approx. 2 days in the office per week)

Responsibilities

• Provides organizational vision, leadership and direction for space rental services, special projects and service or operational committees
• Plans, implements and evaluates departmental/system initiatives, services and space use to ensure they meet customer needs, are cost-effective, equitable and inclusive and support the Library’s strategic agenda
• Develops goals and objectives for area of responsibility and monitors achievements to provide project tracking data to colleagues, partners and senior management
• Plays a lead role in developing and implementing plans to market and promote venue and community space rental services to local or targeted communities to foster awareness and use of Library space to generate revenue and promote community-building in Toronto’s diverse and evolving urban environment
• Accountable for effective management of financial resources. Monitors budgets for venue and community space rental services and makes adjustments and recommendations as required
• Leads or participates in the development of capital or operating plans/business cases/budgets, or fundraising, grant, and sponsorship initiatives for venue and community spaces to ensure the adequacy of core funding as well as to obtain the alternative funding to extend strategic Library initiatives and services beyond that sustainable through the City budget process
• Effectively communicates policies and services to internal and external stakeholders in order to maximize buy-in and support for Library operations and innovation
• Liaises with government and community to develop and strengthen the library’s relationship with the Municipality, the community, the media, other libraries, government ministries and agencies, professional organizations and potential funders
• Develops relationships and represents the Library in appropriate partnerships and community and professional organizations
• Contributes to development of the Library’s strategic direction and mission at the departmental and corporate level to ensure that the Library’s long-term planning continues to respond to the diverse needs of local neighbourhoods while consolidating its position as a world leader in the provision of public library service
• Ensures delivery of high caliber service, support and coordination within the division; plays the lead role in research as well as divisional policy, issue, and project management
• Provides timely and accurate issue management, including communication with staff, residents and other key stakeholders
• Provides overall senior level support in assigned areas, including report writing and framework development, for the Director
• Hires new staff, transfers, promotes, approves wage increases and confirms performance evaluations
• Disciplines, terminates, participates in grievance procedures and administers collective agreement as required

Qualifications

• University degree in a related discipline such as a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) with specialization in Hospitality & Tourism Management or Business Management is preferred
• Significant management experience, technical knowledge and proficiency gained through progressively more responsible positions in a related industry including partnership development, operations planning, budget preparation and analysis, service design and delivery, and a general proficiency in the range of technical and operational issues facing the service area
• Demonstrated ability to operate as a fully accountable project leader, as a member of a management team, and as part of self-directed work teams
• Highly developed human relations, communication, negotiation, analytical and conflict resolution skills
• Experience in managing a team of management, professional and support staff, preferably in the area of responsibility
• Proven ability in project management and change leadership
• Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships and collaborative work approaches with both internal and external contacts
• Committed to providing equitable, efficient, responsive, and innovative service to customers
• Demonstrated capacity for service planning, problem solving, results orientation and creativity
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and apply knowledge of developments in the relevant fields and relevant legislation

About the Toronto Public Library

Vision: Toronto Public Library will be recognized as the world's leading library, informing and inspiring Toronto and its communities, making us all more resilient, more knowledgeable, more connected and more successful.

Mission: Toronto Public Library provides free and equitable access to services that meet the changing needs of Torontonians, preserving and promoting universal access to a broad range of human knowledge, experience, information and ideas in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Values: Equity, Diversity, Intellectual Freedom, Innovation, Inclusion, Integrity, Accountability, Service Orientation.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Upon request, accommodation will be provided through all stages of the recruitment and selection process. The Toronto Public Library invites applications from all qualified individuals and is committed to employment equity and diversity, welcoming applications from racialized people, women, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ people.

Contact

Jeff Richmond | [e-mail] | [phone]

How to Apply

Application Deadline: Friday, March 21, 2025, at 5:00 pm (ET). Candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and initial interviews may begin before the application deadline is reached. All candidates who apply by the deadline will be considered equally.
URL: https://www.nafor.com/tpl