Vice President, Research, Development and Community Impact
About the role
Salary Range: $162,000-$200,000
To Apply
-
To fill this position, YMCA of Greater Toronto has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online at Careers Odgers. For more information, please contact Gaiana Chan of Odgers at gaiana.chan@odgers.com. We thank all those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is one of the largest and most impactful charities in Canada, with a vision to build vibrant communities where everyone can shine. Rooted in a history of service that spans over 170 years, the YMCA is a trusted community partner, dedicated to fostering belonging, personal growth, and social well-being for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President, Research, Development and Community Impact is a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for advancing YMCA’s research, planning, and performance measurement functions to strengthen community impact. The role leads applied research, environmental scanning, community needs assessments and contributes to the development of key performance indicators to inform organizational priorities and demonstrate measurable results. By combining rigorous research with strategic advocacy and relationship-building, the VP ensures the YMCA’s voice and impact are recognized in the conversations shaping communities across the Greater Toronto Area.
The ideal candidate is a visionary and strategic leader with a graduate degree (PhD preferred) in social sciences, public policy, community development, or a related field, and at least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in research, evaluation, and community impact. They bring deep expertise in applied research methodologies, program evaluation, and performance measurement, coupled with the ability to translate insights into actionable strategies that strengthen service delivery and advocacy.
Highly skilled in stakeholder engagement, consensus-building, and external representation, this individual will be a compelling ambassador for the YMCA’s mission and impact. They are experienced in establishing KPIs, modernizing community research, and integrating evidence-based insights into organizational strategy. The successful candidate is both collaborative and innovative, able to align research with strategic goals, secure funding, and communicate outcomes in ways that inspire funders, partners, and the public, while also motivating and mentoring a high-performing team.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone feels they belong. We celebrate diversity and strive to remove barriers so that all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability or background, can thrive. Our hiring practices reflect our values of inclusiveness, integrity, kindness, optimism, respect, and well-being. We encourage applications from members of equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized communities, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.
Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self-Declaration Form.
About YMCA of Greater Toronto
Everyone deserves a chance to shine.
That’s why the YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to promoting equity and boosting well-being across the GTA — but as a charity, we don’t do it alone. When many think of the Y, a charity may not be the first thing that comes to mind — but our ability to ignite the potential in people and spark change for the better is only made possible by the loyalty of our participants, the generosity of our donors, and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.
Thanks to the breadth, quality, and inclusive nature of the services and programs we offer across our network of 500+ locations in the GTA, we attract a diverse and dynamic mix of participants and will never turn anyone away due to their financial circumstances. Many participate for life and many more choose to give back when they have the means, so that others can benefit from experiences like their own — experiences that can only be found at the Y.
Our focus on well-being means we help people thrive not only physically, but mentally and socially as well. We offer volunteering opportunities; safe spaces for teens; child care; camps; career guidance; employment services; support for immigrants; and a range of other services essential for individuals and communities to shine their brightest. No matter your needs or stage of life, when you join the Y community, you get to be part of something special.
Over our 170-year history, we’ve adapted to meet our communities’ most urgent needs. Today, these needs include mental health supports, affordable housing, accessible child care, help navigating our precarious labour market, and community for isolated older adults. By offering a safe destination where anyone can grow, lead, and give back, the Y has become both a beacon of inspiration and a trusted anchor of support driven by our knowledgeable, friendly, and caring volunteers and staff.
Vice President, Research, Development and Community Impact
About the role
Salary Range: $162,000-$200,000
To Apply
-
To fill this position, YMCA of Greater Toronto has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online at Careers Odgers. For more information, please contact Gaiana Chan of Odgers at gaiana.chan@odgers.com. We thank all those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is one of the largest and most impactful charities in Canada, with a vision to build vibrant communities where everyone can shine. Rooted in a history of service that spans over 170 years, the YMCA is a trusted community partner, dedicated to fostering belonging, personal growth, and social well-being for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President, Research, Development and Community Impact is a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for advancing YMCA’s research, planning, and performance measurement functions to strengthen community impact. The role leads applied research, environmental scanning, community needs assessments and contributes to the development of key performance indicators to inform organizational priorities and demonstrate measurable results. By combining rigorous research with strategic advocacy and relationship-building, the VP ensures the YMCA’s voice and impact are recognized in the conversations shaping communities across the Greater Toronto Area.
The ideal candidate is a visionary and strategic leader with a graduate degree (PhD preferred) in social sciences, public policy, community development, or a related field, and at least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in research, evaluation, and community impact. They bring deep expertise in applied research methodologies, program evaluation, and performance measurement, coupled with the ability to translate insights into actionable strategies that strengthen service delivery and advocacy.
Highly skilled in stakeholder engagement, consensus-building, and external representation, this individual will be a compelling ambassador for the YMCA’s mission and impact. They are experienced in establishing KPIs, modernizing community research, and integrating evidence-based insights into organizational strategy. The successful candidate is both collaborative and innovative, able to align research with strategic goals, secure funding, and communicate outcomes in ways that inspire funders, partners, and the public, while also motivating and mentoring a high-performing team.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone feels they belong. We celebrate diversity and strive to remove barriers so that all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability or background, can thrive. Our hiring practices reflect our values of inclusiveness, integrity, kindness, optimism, respect, and well-being. We encourage applications from members of equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized communities, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.
Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self-Declaration Form.
About YMCA of Greater Toronto
Everyone deserves a chance to shine.
That’s why the YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to promoting equity and boosting well-being across the GTA — but as a charity, we don’t do it alone. When many think of the Y, a charity may not be the first thing that comes to mind — but our ability to ignite the potential in people and spark change for the better is only made possible by the loyalty of our participants, the generosity of our donors, and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.
Thanks to the breadth, quality, and inclusive nature of the services and programs we offer across our network of 500+ locations in the GTA, we attract a diverse and dynamic mix of participants and will never turn anyone away due to their financial circumstances. Many participate for life and many more choose to give back when they have the means, so that others can benefit from experiences like their own — experiences that can only be found at the Y.
Our focus on well-being means we help people thrive not only physically, but mentally and socially as well. We offer volunteering opportunities; safe spaces for teens; child care; camps; career guidance; employment services; support for immigrants; and a range of other services essential for individuals and communities to shine their brightest. No matter your needs or stage of life, when you join the Y community, you get to be part of something special.
Over our 170-year history, we’ve adapted to meet our communities’ most urgent needs. Today, these needs include mental health supports, affordable housing, accessible child care, help navigating our precarious labour market, and community for isolated older adults. By offering a safe destination where anyone can grow, lead, and give back, the Y has become both a beacon of inspiration and a trusted anchor of support driven by our knowledgeable, friendly, and caring volunteers and staff.