Sankofa Square

Manager of Community Safety

Sankofa Square acknowledges that it is located in the heart of Tkaronto—as it was traditionally called—on the lands of the original stewards: the Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinabek First Nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, Tkaronto is home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples from across Turtle Island. Sankofa Square honours and celebrates their rich past, present, and future.

Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square) stands as a dynamic cultural site in the heart of Downtown Toronto, drawing together millions of residents, tourists, artists, businesses, and community members each calendar year. With its central location and open, accessible design, the Square hosts an array of events—from concerts and community festivals to theatrical performances and public activations—capturing the pulse and energy of one of the world’s vibrant cities. An agency of the City of Toronto, and governed by a Board of Management, Sankofa Square plays a vital role in enriching Toronto’s downtown life by launching, promoting, and managing the space as both a civic gathering place and a thriving commercial destination.

Rooted in community passion and energized by strong commercial engagement, Sankofa Square operates on foundational principles of safety, accessibility, and cleanliness—each essential to fostering a welcoming atmosphere and positive public experience. Within this context, Sankofa Square is seeking nominations and applications for the role of Manager of Community Safety—a key position responsible for strengthening community trust and shaping the safety culture at one of Toronto’s most prominent public spaces.

Reporting to the General Manager and working alongside three other Department Managers, the Manager of Community Safety plays a critical role in ensuring Sankofa Square remains a safe, welcoming, and responsive space. The Manager will be responsible for cultivating a strong culture of safety and security throughout the Square’s daily operations, public events, and strategic planning, and is also responsible for both preventative and emergency response strategies and providing oversight over third-party contracted safety staff. Other areas of responsibility include conducting site-wide risk assessments, developing and updating safety protocols, providing briefings to event clients, and ensuring alignment with provincial health and safety regulations. The Manager will establish crisis management structures and emergency action plans, deliver regular staff training and safety drills, and coordinate post-incident recovery processes. They will also represent and advocate on behalf of Sankofa Square in community safety forums and related discussions, strengthening relationships with local partners and advancing shared priorities.

Qualifications

Among the qualifications being sought in candidates, the incoming leader must have a deep and abiding commitment to advancing reconciliation, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in all its forms and must believe, intrinsically, in the importance of leading with curiosity and welcoming ideas that can later be synthesized and turned into possibility. While all candidates are encouraged to apply and, in so doing, share how they see themselves adding value to the Sankofa Square environment, the following credentials and/or experiences are seen as possible markers of the candidates most likely to realize success in the role:

A.   a degree, diploma, or certificate in Law Enforcement, Health & Safety, or Emergency Management—or equivalent experience in security and public safety environments;

B.   a practical understanding of complex social and systemic issues affecting community safety, particularly through a lens of harm reduction, de-escalation, and equity;

C.   experience with security and emergency management in high-traffic public spaces, particularly outdoor festivals and events, including working knowledge of the Trespass to Property Act and the Criminal Code of Canada;

D.   certifications in First Aid/CPR and Naloxone (Narcan) administration, along with strong knowledge of emergency response protocols, fire/life safety systems, contractor management, and public safety infrastructure (e.g., portable radios, CCTV, access control systems), and;

E.   demonstrated integrity, resilience, and calm in high-stress situations where cultural awareness is at the forefront.

The salary range for this position is $80,000 to $90,000 CAD, commensurate with experience.