Specialist, Talent

Art Gallery of Ontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 64,628 - 80,735; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts to GoodLife Fitness

Free exhibition tickets

Discounts at major attractions

Free AGO admission for friends and family

Job summary

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is looking for a Talent Specialist to manage recruitment and develop an inclusive workplace. With a commitment to arts and community engagement, the AGO is one of North America's largest art museums.

The role includes full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, and supporting employee engagement initiatives. Ideal candidates have a strong background in HR with at least 2 years of relevant experience, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of recruitment and selection experience, including specialized roles.
• Experience supporting internships and international recruitment initiatives.
• Post-secondary education in Human Resources or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead full‑cycle recruitment for various positions across the Gallery.
• Support onboarding and orientation programs.
• Assist with employee engagement and DEIA initiatives.

Skills

Recruitment experience

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Proficiency with HRIS

Education

Post-secondary education in Human Resources

Post-graduate education

Tools

Applicant tracking systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Talent Specialist

Regular Full-Time (35 hours per week)

ART + AUDIENCE + LEARNING

Based in Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is among the largest art museums in North America, drawing close to one million visitors annually. With a collection of over 120,000 works—ranging from contemporary art to celebrated Indigenous and Canadian works and European masterpieces—the AGO offers something for everyone.

Join a leading cultural institution where people, creativity, and community come together.

At the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), we know that exceptional visitor experiences begin with exceptional people. We're looking for a collaborative, people-focused, and passionate Talent Specialist to help attract, engage, and develop the talented individuals who bring our mission and vision to life.

Reporting to the Manager, Talent, you will play a key role in delivering a broad range of talent management programs and services across the employee lifecycle. From recruiting top talent and supporting onboarding to internal talent mobility and career growth, contributing to employee engagement, learning and development, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives, you will help create an outstanding employee experience while supporting the AGO's strategic priorities.

Salary range: $64,628 - $80,735 per annum.

What You'll Do

• Lead full‑cycle recruitment and selection processes for a wide variety of positions across the Gallery, including hard‑to‑fill roles, high‑volume recruitment campaigns, specialized positions, internships, student‑funded opportunities, and international recruitment initiatives.
• Partner with hiring managers to develop recruitment strategies, source qualified candidates, facilitate interviews, and support hiring decisions.
• Coordinate and deliver onboarding and orientation programs that create positive and engaging employee experiences.
• Support employee engagement initiatives and programs that foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high‑performing workplace culture.
• Contribute to performance management processes, employee feedback programs, and talent development initiatives.
• Assist with workforce planning and succession planning activities to support organizational growth and sustainability.
• Support diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Assist with the development and delivery of learning and development programs, training opportunities, and employee resources.
• Maintain accurate employee and recruitment records using applicant tracking systems, HR databases, and performance management platforms.
• Provide guidance on employment legislation, collective agreement administration, organizational policies, and HR best practices.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Gallery to continuously improve talent programs, processes, and employee experiences.
• Support the Talent team in responding to sensitive employee matters with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.

What You Bring

• 2+ years of recruitment and selection experience, including hard‑to‑fill, high‑volume, and specialized roles.
• Previous experience supporting internships, student‑funded programs, and international recruitment initiatives would be considered an asset.
• 2+ years of talent management experience supporting full‑cycle recruitment, onboarding, performance management, diversity and inclusion, learning and development, and employee engagement programs.
• Post‑secondary education in Human Resources, or a related field; post‑graduate education is an asset.
• Recruitment experience in a unionized environment considered an asset.
• Strong organizational, time management, customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with applicant tracking systems, performance management systems, HRIS systems, Microsoft Office, and other digital communication tools.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively.
• Knowledge of employment legislation, collective agreement administration, and HR policies and procedures.
• Sound judgment and the ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.
• CHRP or CHRL designation preferred.

Why Join the AGO

At the AGO, we're driven by art, people, and ideas. As part of the Talent team, you will play an important role in shaping how we attract, support, and develop the people who help deliver extraordinary experiences to our visitors, members, donors, and communities.

You'll join a collaborative, people-focused team committed to continuous learning, innovation, inclusion, and excellence.

Benefits

• Discounts to GoodLife Fitness.
• Free tickets to every major exhibition at the AGO.
• Discounts to major attractions through Provincial and City Reciprocal Programs.
• Free AGO admission for friends and family, plus discounts at the AGO Shop, Bistro, and Learning Centre.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

At the AGO, we lead global conversations from Toronto through extraordinary collections, exhibitions, and programs that reflect the diverse communities we serve. We are committed to fostering inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility and embedding these values into our strategic plan, workplace culture, and daily practices.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process upon request.

The Art Gallery of Ontario is an Equal Opportunity Employer.