Job Number:
J0725-0295
Posting Date:
October 6, 2025
Closing Date:
November 6, 2025
Job Title:
Senior Manager, TPL Centre for Democracy
Branch/Department:
Toronto Reference Library
Division:
Service Development \& Innovation
Employment Type:
Permanent Full Time
# of Open Positions:
1
The Toronto Public Library (TPL) is North America’s biggest and busiest public library system, welcoming over 46 million annual visits to its 100 branches and digital platforms. As a vital civic institution serving one of the most diverse cities in the world, TPL empowers Torontonians through equitable access to information, technology, public space, and lifelong learning. The TPL Centre for Democracy is a flagship initiative of the Library’s new Strategic Plan, placing civic engagement and democracy at the forefront of its mission. The Centre will confront urgent challenges like polarization and misinformation, playing a pivotal role in strengthening democracy and civic life in Canada’s largest city, while contributing to global conversations about the evolving role of public libraries in civic renewal.
The Library is seeking a visionary, collaborative, and ambitious leader to serve as its inaugural Senior Manager, TPL Centre for Democracy, helping to cultivate civic literacy, strengthen democratic engagement, and inspire active, informed participation across the city. This is a rare opportunity get in on the ground-floor to help shape a bold new initiative at the heart of civic life in Toronto.
Reporting to the Director, Service Development and Innovation, the Senior Manager, TPL Centre for Democracy, provides strategic and operational leadership to bring the bold vision for the Centre to life and to lead its ongoing operation and evolution. This role is responsible for shaping and executing the Centre’s multi-year direction, developing inclusive, community-informed programming, and building partnerships that elevate diverse voices and perspectives. Serving all ages—children, youth, adults, and seniors—the Centre delivers dynamic programs and services that cultivate civic curiosity, participation, understanding, and dialogue. The Senior Manager leads the Centre’s system-wide efforts to embed civic engagement and democratic values into the fabric of public library programs and services. The role provides senior leadership across departments and disciplines, driving collaboration and aligning staff and resources to deliver on the Centre’s strategic goals. It champions service design innovation, ensuring the Centre’s work is reflective of and responsive to Toronto’s diverse communities. The Senior Manager leads the Centre for Democracy International Advisory Committee, composed of global experts, civic innovators, and community leaders, which provides strategic guidance, identifies emerging practices, and connects the Centre to global networks working to strengthen democracy and civic participation.
As the ideal candidate, you are experienced and adept at leading initiatives that advance civic participation and strengthen democratic engagement. You understand the importance of designing and delivering programming that truly connects with people and communities, and you bring the credibility and vision to attract the right partners to expand the Centre’s reach and impact. You are skilled in guiding teams, shaping strategy, and building collaborative networks, with a strong foundation in the democracy and civic engagement sector. You thrive in dynamic, complex environments and bring creativity, integrity, and diplomacy to challenging and important work.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to define and expand a flagship initiative in civic engagement that will help shape the national conversation about the role of public libraries in nurturing a healthy democracy. If that opportunity resonates with you, we would love to hear from you.
Please submit your CV and Cover Letter via the portal at boyden.thriveapp.ly/job/3009. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Mike Young (myoung@boyden.com).
The Committee will begin reviewing applications on November 7, 2025.
The salary range for this position is $123,833 - $170,184 (Exempt Grade 8).
TPL invites applications from all qualified individuals. The Library is committed to equal opportunity, diversity in the workplace, equity and reconciliation, and welcomes applications from Indigenous people, Black and racialized groups, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ people and women.
TPL is committed to providing an open, accessible and equitable environment through its recruitment and hiring practices, including the provision of accessible formats and communication supports upon request for candidates with disabilities throughout the entire hiring process. Please contact Mike Young with any requests that will allow you to participate in this process fully and equitably.