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 strategic, people-centred, and highly collaborative leader to serve as AVP, School & Youth Engagement. Reporting to the Vice President, Learning & Public Programs, this role provides vision, leadership, and operational oversight for ROM’s school-aged and youth audiences, with a focus on children and teens.
The AVP is responsible for shaping and delivering high-quality, inclusive learning experiences across school visits and programs, ROMKids camps, care-based and youth-serving group programming, digital and virtual learning, and the stewardship of the Teaching Collection. This role also holds accountability for the end-to-end welcome experience for these audiences from booking and arrival through program delivery and departure, ensuring experiences are safe, seamless, and engaging across physical and digital environments.
This is a senior leadership role that blends educational expertise, visitor experience design, people leadership, and financial stewardship. The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary teams of educators, program managers, administrators, and seasonal staff, while working collaboratively across the museum to advance ROM’s mission and 21st-century learning goals.
HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT In this role, you will shape how tens of thousands of children, youth, and educators experience ROM each year. Your leadership will directly influence learning quality, visitor experience, workforce culture, and earned-revenue performance across school, camp, and youth programming, including:
- Set the strategic direction for school, camp, and youth-focused learning programs, including in-person, digital, hybrid, virtual, and asynchronous experiences, ensuring alignment with ROM’s strategic priorities and Ontario curriculum expectations
- Lead the design, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement of innovative, inclusive, developmentally appropriate, and trauma-informed programs that reflect diverse learning needs and lived experiences
- Provide oversight of the end-to-end school and group welcome experience from booking and client support to arrival, program delivery, departure, and post-visit engagement, ensuring experiences are safe, seamless, and welcoming across physical and virtual environments
- Steward the Teaching Collection with integrity and care, ensuring its ethical, safe, and effective use in on-site and digital learning while supporting innovation in object-based and multimodal learning
- Inspire, lead, and develop multidisciplinary teams of managers, educators, facilitators, administrators, and seasonal staff, promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and care-centred leadership
- Champion staff learning and development in areas such as inclusive education, youth engagement, trauma-informed practice, object-based learning, and digital facilitation
- Oversee operating and project budgets exceeding $500,000, balancing fiscal responsibility, earned-revenue generation, and high-quality program delivery
- Use data, evaluation, and reporting to monitor attendance, revenue, learning outcomes, and engagement, translating insights into informed planning and continuous improvement
- Build and sustain strong partnerships with school boards, educators, post-secondary institutions, sector partners, and youth-serving organizations, representing ROM within education, museum, and community forums
- Maintain a visible leadership presence in galleries, classrooms, and program spaces, supporting teams and ensuring excellence in day-to-day visitor and learner experiences
WHAT YOU BRING - A university degree in Education, Museum Studies, or a related field, with an Ontario Teaching Certificate or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience strongly preferred. A graduate degree in Education, Museum Studies, Public History, or a related discipline is considered an asset
- At least five (5) years of senior leadership experience within education, museums, camps, or youth-serving organizations, with responsibility for complex programs, teams, and operations
- Demonstrated expertise in designing and facilitating learning with objects in informal learning environments, including experience working with teaching or handling collections
- Proven experience leading school programs, camps, or youth-focused learning initiatives that include hands-on, interactive, and digital or virtual components
- Strong people leadership experience, including managing managers, educators, facilitators, and seasonal staff within dynamic, high-volume program environments
- A track record of managing large, complex operating budgets and revenue-generating programs, with a strong understanding of financial accountability and performance monitoring
- Experience working within a unionized environment and navigating collective agreements is considered an asset
- Deep understanding of the Ontario curriculum, experiential learning, and youth development, alongside current best practices in informal and museum-based education
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, accessibility, inclusion, and care-centred leadership, with experience embedding these principles into programs, team practices, and visitor experiences
- Strong digital and multimodal learning expertise, spanning in-person, online, hybrid, virtual, and asynchronous learning environments
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and conflict-management skills, with the ability to remain calm, thoughtful, and decisive in complex or high-pressure situations
- High level of digital fluency, including comfort with data analysis, reporting, presentation tools, and digital learning systems
- Fluency in French is considered an asset
VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION Interested candidates are invited to attend a virtual information session to learn more about the AVP, School & Youth Engagement role and the Learning & Public Programs portfolio at ROM.
The session will be hosted by the Hiring Manager and will provide an overview of the role, key priorities, and the impact this position has across school, youth, and digital learning experiences at the museum. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions.
- Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 1 - 1:30 p.m
- Format: Virtual (Microsoft Teams)
- Registration: Click Here to Register (spaces are limited)
Attendance at the information session is optional and not required to apply.
WHAT WE OFFER - Comprehensive benefits coverage: For permanent and full-time contract positions (conditions apply), enjoy 100 percent premium-free benefits for individuals and families, a health spending account, flexible working options (varies by position), 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: March 2026
- OPEN DATE: January 13, 2026
- CLOSE DATE: January 27, 2026
- STATUS: Full-time Permanent
- EMPLOYEE GROUP: Non-Union
- EXPECTED COMPENSATION: $126 561 - $148 895 CAD
- SCHEDULE: 35 hours weekly
- PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Six (6) months
- LOCATION (onsite): Toronto, ON
WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR INTERVIEW PROCESS - 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
- 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
- Second interview: A 1-hour in-person meeting with the Hiring Manager and relevant team members. You may be asked to present a pre-assigned case study and discuss scenarios relevant to your role. Depending on the position, you might also be given a tour of ROM and receive a preview of your responsibilities and interactions
- Third Interview: a final interview with key stakeholders
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
careers@rom.on.ca 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
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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.
