Toronto 2026 JCC Maccabi Games Director

Principal Responsibilities:

Location: Prosserman JCC (4588 Bathurst Street, North York, ON) & Schwartz/Reisman Centre (9600 Bathurst Street, Vaughan, ON) - Must be able to work at both locations.

Who We Are:

The Jewish Community Centre (JCC) is more than just a workplace--it's a vibrant hub of culture, connection, and community. As one of the largest engagement platforms in the Greater Toronto Area, we offer a diverse range of programs, including arts, fitness, education, daycare, summer camps, and more. With a bold goal to triple our community engagement by 2026, we are on a transformative path to become the beating heart of Jewish life in the region. Join us in shaping the future of the JCC experience for 75,000+ people annually!

Role Summary:

The JCC Maccabi Games Director will serve as the driving force behind Toronto's hosting of the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games -- a unique and transformative opportunity to rally our community, ignite Jewish pride, and shine a global spotlight on the spirit of Toronto. At a time of rising antisemitism and deepening polarization, the Games are more than a sporting event. They represent a bold and joyful affirmation of Jewish identity, belonging, and resilience. Rooted in the universal language of sport, the JCC Maccabi Games serve as a powerful vehicle for community engagement, teen connection, and identity-building, drawing thousands of athletes, volunteers, and families into a shared Jewish experience.

We are seeking an inspiring and strategic leader with deep roots and connections in the Toronto Jewish community who can mobilize people, unite institutions, and turn vision into action. This role is not just about operational excellence -- it's about leveraging the full power of the Games to strengthen Jewish life, galvanize the next generation, and leave a lasting legacy of pride, purpose, and community.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Vision

• Serve as the primary leader and public face of the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games in Toronto.
• Champion a bold and inspiring vision for community-wide engagement through sport, volunteerism, and Jewish values.
• Align stakeholders, staff, and volunteers around a shared mission that reflects the importance of Jewish pride and peoplehood.

Team Alignment & Culture

• Lead and empower a high-performing Games team already in place, fostering a culture of collaboration, integrity, and impact.
• Serve as the unifying force across departments, consultants, and partners to ensure the Games are delivered with clarity, excellence, and purpose.
• Promote a values-driven culture that is grounded in mission, energized by passion, and focused on results.

Committee Engagement

• Design and oversee a robust and inclusive committee structure to support all dimensions of the Games -- including logistics, athlete experience, hospitality, fundraising, marketing, inclusion, and legacy.
• Provide strategic guidance to the committee chairs; ensure accountability and results.
• Ensure committee members feel empowered, supported, and valued as co-creators of this signature Jewish experience.
• Recruit and onboard committee volunteers to expand leadership participation across the community.

Project Management & Execution

• Oversee the end-to-end planning and flawless execution of the Games -- including venue coordination, transportation, accommodations, scheduling, security, and contingency planning.
• Plan and deliver signature moments such as the Opening Ceremonies, Evening Social Events for Athletes, and the Closing Party, ensuring each experience is memorable, mission-aligned, and logistically seamless.
• Collaborate closely with local vendors, agencies, national partners, and the JCC Association to ensure operational excellence.
• Monitor budgets, timelines, risk management, and reporting to deliver the Games on time, on budget, and with integrity.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a connector across JCC departments, Jewish agencies, synagogues, schools, federations, and grassroots leaders.
• Leverage the Games as a platform to unite the Jewish community around a shared moment of pride and belonging.
• Act as the primary liaison with the JCC Association of North America and other external partners to align goals and standards.
• Cultivate long-term community partnerships that extend beyond the Games and invest in the future of Jewish life.

Fundraising & Marketing Support

• Work closely with the CEO and fundraising team to lead a bold and inspiring campaign that fuels the success of the Games and builds a long-term legacy for Jewish life.
• Support the strategic cultivation and stewardship of major donors, corporate sponsors, and government partners, ensuring alignment with the mission and impact of the Games.
• Collaborate on peer-to-peer and grassroots fundraising initiatives that widen participation, inspire ownership, and elevate visibility across the community.
• Ensure an outstanding donor experience throughout the Games, including recognition, hospitality, and meaningful moments of connection that deepen relationships and inspire continued support.

Goals & Success Metrics:

• 500 Local Athletes: Inspire and register 500 teens from across the GTA to participate, representing the strength and diversity of Jewish Toronto.
• 1,000+ Volunteers: Mobilize more than 1,000 passionate volunteers to take part in every aspect of the Games.
• 12,000+ Spectators: Deliver an extraordinary hospitality plan that welcomes and wows visiting families and guests.
• A Unified Community: Engage and align Jewish organizations and leaders in a shared vision of Jewish peoplehood and pride.
• An Unforgettable Experience: Create a best-in-class Games experience that strengthens identity, builds connection, and lives on in the hearts of all who participate.

Qualifications:

• Strong demonstrated experience with committee recruitment and engagement, lay-professional collaboration, and volunteer leadership development.
• Proven success leading large-scale events, initiatives, or campaigns involving multiple stakeholders and high community visibility.
• A deep passion for Jewish life, identity, and peoplehood -- and belief in sport as a vehicle for engagement and connection.
• A strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to leadership, operations, and relationship building.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Willing and able to work long hours and a flexible schedule in the weeks leading up to the Games and during the Games week.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and remain calm under pressure.
• Experience in Jewish communal or nonprofit settings preferred.

What you will receive from the JCC:

Salary range: $95,000.00-$115,000.00. You will also experience a work culture that will continue to challenge and empower you to keep learning and growing. As well you will receive a free JCC membership, staff discounts on paid programs, medical and dental insurance through Equitable Life- the JCC pays 65% of the premium, paid time off for personal, sick days, vacation, as well as Jewish holidays. Moreover, the JCC provides a people-centered, flexible work environment that always puts your family and/or your personal life and overall well-being at the forefront.

Ready to Make an Impact? Apply Today!

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences--don't self-select out if you don't meet every requirement. If this role excites you, we want to hear from you!

To apply, send your resume and cover letter to Jeanette Hyde, HR Director by August 20, 2025. Please note that we will be conducting rolling interviews. The JCC does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to screen, assess or select applicants.

We appreciate every application; however, only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. If you require accommodations at any stage of the hiring process, let us know--we are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive workplace.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualifications:

• Strong demonstrated experience with committee recruitment and engagement, lay-professional collaboration, and volunteer leadership development.
• Proven success leading large-scale events, initiatives, or campaigns involving multiple stakeholders and high community visibility.
• A deep passion for Jewish life, identity, and peoplehood -- and belief in sport as a vehicle for engagement and connection.
• A strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to leadership, operations, and relationship building.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Willing and able to work long hours and a flexible schedule in the weeks leading up to the Games and during the Games week.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and remain calm under pressure.
• Experience in Jewish communal or nonprofit settings preferred.