Senior Manager, Venue & Community Space Rentals

Senior Manager, Venue & Community Space Rentals

OVERVIEW: The Toronto Public Library (TPL) is North America’s busiest urban public library system. The library employs approximately 2,400 staff, providing high quality library services to the people of Toronto across 100 public locations. The organization is an independent Board of the City of Toronto. On average, every year more than 12 million people visit its 100 branches, more than 33.5 million visitors access its website, and roughly 25 million items are borrowed. Over 72% of Torontonians use the library and 1.2 million people are registered Library cardholders. Collections comprise over 10.6 million items including books, eBooks and DVDs, with over 40 languages represented in the diverse library materials. There were six million wireless sessions in library branches. 15,000 participants attended 2,400+ in-person library programs. We offered 2,400 online programs with total views and attendance of almost 114,000.

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 for Toronto Public Library (TPL).
• 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.

REPORTS TO: Director, Service Development & Innovation
SALARY: Range of $125,000 to $155,000 per annum.
LOCATION: Fairview Public Library - 35 Fairview Mall Drive, Toronto, ON M2J 4S4
HYBRID: This is a 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.
• Demonstrated competencies that include 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.

The Toronto Public Library is North America’s busiest urban public library system. Every year, we have millions of users visiting our branches and taking advantage of our online services. We empower Torontonians to thrive in the digital age and global knowledge economy. With expanded access to technology, lifelong learning and diverse cultural and leisure experiences, Torontonians have increased opportunities for growth and success, as well as stronger connections to each other and their communities.

• Equity: Accessibility, respect and fairness
• Diversity: Valuing individual needs, experiences and differences
• Intellectual Freedom: Guaranteeing and facilitating the free exchange of information and ideas in a democratic society, protecting intellectual freedom and respecting individuals' rights to privacy and choice
• Innovation: Encouraging creativity, experimentation and the generation of ideas
• Inclusion: Welcoming participation in decision making and service development by residents and communities
• Integrity: Open, transparent and honest in all our dealings
• Accountability: Taking responsibility for our actions and the services we provide
• Service Orientation: Providing excellent, responsive services

CONTACT: Jeff Richmond jrichmond@nafor.com (416) 238-6400
TO APPLY: Please go to: https://www.nafor.com/tpl or use the links below.

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.

Click here to apply online