Gallery Activation Coordinator (18-month contract)

royalontariomuseum; Toronto; On-site; CAD 74,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits coverage

Employer-matched pension plan

Parental leave top-up to 95% for 17 we

Free ROM membership

Job summary

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto seeks a Gallery Activation Coordinator to lead hands-on visitor experiences in gallery learning spaces. You will oversee daily operations, plan programs, and collaborate with curators to source objects, ensuring inclusive, engaging activations for families and youth.

The role emphasizes supervision, planning, budgeting, and teamwork across departments to create welcoming learning environments and dynamic public programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Museum Studies, Arts, Sciences, Cultural Studies, or a related discipline.
• Minimum three years of experience developing and delivering educational or public programming, preferably in a museum or gallery.
• Experience designing engaging learning experiences for families, children, and diverse audiences.
• Experience supervising staff, volunteers, or facilitators; unionized environment experience is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operational needs of gallery learning spaces during peak times, including budget monitoring, reporting, and staffing.
• Coordinate content development and educational initiatives with curatorial staff to source objects.
• Evaluate programs for effectiveness and report results to management.
• Collaborate with custodial, security, facilities, and other departments to maintain safety of galleries.
• Work with Hands-on Gallery Coordinators to ensure smooth operations and clear communication.

Skills

Education program development

Public programming

Staff supervision

Project management

Customer service

Leadership

Organizational skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Microsoft Office

Experiential learning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

WHO WE ARE

Opened in 1914 and welcoming over 1.3 million visitors annually, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada's most-visited museum, ranking among the top 10 cultural institutions in North America. At ROM, we are dedicated to building and sharing global collections, sharing knowledge, inspiring learning, and fostering community engagement. As a globally recognized field research institute, ROM houses an impressive collection of over 18 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens, showcased in over 40 galleries and exhibition spaces. We are committed to creating a space where art, culture, and nature intersect, connecting people and communities to the past, present and shared future.

As we continue to work toward our goals to transform and evolve as one of the world’s foremost 21st-century museums, we seek passionate and dynamic team members who embody our mission and values.

WHO WE NEED

We are seeking a Gallery Activation Coordinator to help bring ROM's galleries to life through engaging visitor experiences and interactive programming.

Reporting to the AVP, Gallery Engagement, you will oversee the day-to-day operations of gallery learning spaces while leading the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of hands-on visitor experiences. You'll work closely with staff, volunteers, curators, and cross-functional teams to create welcoming, inclusive, and educational activations that inspire visitors of all ages, particularly families and young learners.

This role combines operational leadership, program development, team supervision, and visitor engagement, making it an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about museums, education, and creating exceptional public experiences.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Oversee the operational needs of gallery learning spaces during peak times, including budget monitoring, reporting, customer service, staff scheduling and supervision, payroll, and other administrative tasks.
• Coordinate and contribute to content development and educational initiatives in gallery learning spaces, including theme selection, setting academic goals, research, writing, and collaborating with curatorial staff to source appropriate objects.
• Evaluate programs to ensure effectiveness, recommend future improvements, and report results to management and team members.
• Collaborate with various departments (custodial, security, facilities, and others) to maintain the safety and upkeep of galleries and learning spaces.
• Work closely with Hands-on Gallery Coordinators to ensure smooth operations and clear communication across gallery spaces.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Museum Studies, Arts, Sciences, Cultural Studies, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum three (3) years of experience developing and delivering educational or public programming, preferably within a museum, gallery, cultural institution, or similar environment
• Experience designing engaging learning experiences for families, children, and diverse audiences
• Experience supervising staff, volunteers, or facilitators; experience in a unionized environment is considered an asset
• Demonstrated project management and budget management experience
• Strong customer service orientation with a passion for creating welcoming and inclusive visitor experiences
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills
• Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving abilities
• Experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders and cross-functional teams
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard workplace technology
• Understanding of experiential learning, lifelong learning, and diverse learning styles
• Fluency in French or another language is considered an asset
• Availability to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and other peak operational periods

WHAT WE OFFER

• Comprehensive benefits coverage: For permanent and full-time contract positions (conditions apply), enjoy paid benefits for individuals and families, a health spending account, and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Worry-free retirement savings: With our pension plan, you benefit from an employer-matched Defined Benefit contribution plan, which provides predictable lifetime retirement income, survivor benefits, and early retirement options without the stress of investment decisions.
• Support for new parents: Enjoy a parental leave top-up to 95 percent of your salary for 17 weeks, helping you balance work and family life.
• Perks: Free ROM membership for permanent full-time and part-time staff, plus discounts to over 200 attractions through Attractions Ontario.
• And more!

SALARY & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• START DATE: September 2026
• OPEN DATE: August 4, 2026
• CLOSE DATE: August 14, 2026
• STATUS: Full-time, contract
• EMPLOYEE GROUP: OPSEU
• SALARY: $74,303 - $84,917
• SCHEDULE: 35 hours weekly
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Six (6) months
• LOCATION(on-site): Toronto, ON
• POSTING TYPE: This posting is for an existing vacancy.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR INTERVIEW PROCESS

1. Initial conversation: A 30-minute virtual conversation** with a Recruiter to discuss your interest in the role and ROM and how you can make an impact.
2. First interview: A 1-hour in-person or virtual interview with the Hiring Manager and a member of the HR team. This in-depth interview will focus on your skills and how they align with the team's and ROM's needs.

The above-listed process may change or vary based on the nature and scope of the position.

All virtual conversations and interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams and may be recorded.

WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE ROM

• Cultural engagement: Daily interactions with Toronto's diverse culture and international visitors offer insights into social and cultural trends. We champion inclusive community programs and connections through diverse experiences.
• Continuous learning: At ROM, expertise and continuous skill development are paramount. Our culture of curiosity and open-mindedness fosters growth beyond traditional career paths.
• Passion & fulfillment: Our work in preserving and curating cultural narratives brings deep satisfaction. We are passionate about the arts, global history, cultural diversity, and leveraging digital technologies to enhance accessibility.
• Team & culture: ROM promotes a positive workplace with collaborative, supportive teams that encourage creativity and innovation. We value new ideas and collective problem-solving.
• Academic collaboration: We are committed to education, partnering with universities and providing student resources, underscoring our dedication to research and accessibility.

If you’re excited about this role, even if your experience differs from the specific requirements, we encourage you to apply. We’re keen to meet candidates who can contribute their talents to our goals, and will consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & ACCESSIBILITY

At ROM, we embrace diversity in our exhibits, communities, and teams. We encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and those who can further diversify our ideas.

We are committed to equitable employment opportunities and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.

We welcome and accommodate candidates with disabilities throughout the selection process. Please contact us at [e-mail] for assistance.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• ROM does not require “Canadian experience.” International applicants with equivalent experience are encouraged to apply.
• ROM uses technology-assisted tools (including JazzHR TalentFit) to support the review and screening of applications. All hiring decisions are made by human reviewers.
• This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that all candidates receiving a verbal job offer will be subject to a background check. This includes a criminal background check and verification of professional references, and, other checks depending on the role.