Gallery Activation Lead (12-month Contract)

Royal Ontario Museum; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading cultural institution in Canada seeks a Gallery Activations Lead to support visitor experiences. The role involves supervising staff, ensuring high-quality interactions, and coordinating programs. Ideal candidates have experience in educational settings and strong leadership skills. This part-time position offers an hourly rate of $29.76 to $34.00 in Toronto, Ontario.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year of experience in a museum, educational, art, or camp setting.
• Proven ability to supervise or guide staff or volunteers.
• Comfort using standard digital tools for scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and supervision to staff and volunteers delivering programs.
• Ensure consistent visitor experiences through effective coaching.
• Monitor visitor flow to ensure safety in high-volume areas.

Skills

Experience working with families and children

Leadership skills

Customer service abilities

Interpersonal skills

Fluency in French

Education

Two years of post-secondary education in a museum-related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)

Job description

Overview

WHO WE ARE: The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada’s most-visited museum, welcoming over 1.3 million visitors annually. ROM is dedicated to building and sharing global collections, knowledge, learning, and community engagement, with over 18 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens in more than 40 galleries and exhibition spaces. We aim to connect people and communities to the past, present, and shared future.

WHO WE NEED: We are seeking an enthusiastic and adaptable Gallery Activations Lead to help bring ROM’s hands-on learning spaces to life. Reporting to the Assistant Vice-President (AVP), Gallery Engagement, and working closely with the Gallery Engagement Coordinator Team, the Lead supports the day-to-day delivery of engaging visitor experiences across the museum. You will provide on-the-floor leadership to the Gallery Engagement staff and volunteers who run family-friendly activations and programs in our learning areas. This role is key during high-traffic periods such as ROM for the Holidays, March Break, Family Day, Third Tuesday Nights Free, ROM After Dark, Free Main Floor, and other special events. Evening, weekend, and holiday availability is required. A Vulnerable Sector Screening will be required as a condition of employment.

How you will make an impact

• Provide daily guidance and supervision to staff and volunteers delivering interactive programs and gallery activations.
• Ensure high-quality, consistent visitor experiences through effective coaching, real-time problem solving, and clear communication.
• Support operational logistics, including setup and takedown of activations, materials preparation, and scheduling.
• Monitor visitor flow to ensure smooth traffic and safety in high-volume areas; implement adjustments as needed.
• Respond promptly and professionally to operational incidents (e.g., visitor concerns, lost children, first aid, or emergency procedures).
• Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and exceptional service among staff and volunteers.
• Assist in developing activation content and training resources in collaboration with the Gallery Engagement Coordinator Team.

What you bring

• Minimum one (1) year of experience working with families and children in a museum, educational, art, or camp setting (more is an asset)
• Completion of at least two (2) years of post-secondary education in a museum-related discipline (education, visual art, natural history, world cultures) or equivalent experience
• Proven leadership skills with experience supervising or guiding staff or volunteers (unionized experience an asset)
• Excellent customer service, planning, and problem-solving abilities with sound judgment under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to motivate and support diverse teams.
• Comfort using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and standard digital tools for scheduling and coordination.
• Fluency in French or other languages is an asset.
• First Aid certification is an asset.

Salary & terms of employment

• START DATE: ASAP
• OPEN DATE: October 24, 2025
• CLOSE DATE: Open until filled
• STATUS: Part-time Contract
• EMPLOYEE GROUP: OPSEU
• HOURLY RATE: $29.76- $34.00
• SCHEDULE: Up to 24 hours weekly
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 420 hours
• LOCATION (on-site): Toronto, ON

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. APPLY NOW. Apply today and help us create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity and learning flourish. All candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Background checks may be conducted for all offers.