Chief of Learning & Public Programs, Royal Ontario Museum

Chief of Learning & Public Programs
Royal Ontario Museum

About the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Canada’s largest museum of art, culture, and nature, is a global leader in research and education. Located in Toronto, one of the world’s most diverse cities, ROM is dedicated to fostering inclusion, innovation, and community engagement while reinterpreting narratives for a global audience.

The Position

ROM seeks a dynamic and innovative leader for the position of Chief of Learning and Public Programming (CLPP). This role provides vision and direction for the museum’s educational and public engagement strategies, ensuring they align with ROM’s mission and strategic goals. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Engagement, the Chief of Learning and Public Programming will lead a large team responsible for the development, delivery, and evaluation of diverse educational programs and public initiatives that are meaningful and attractive to a wide range of audiences.

Duties & Responsibilities

Program Leadership: Provide vision and direction for the team responsible for designing and implementing lifelong educational programs that support ROM’s mission, including school curricula, adult learning, family programming workshops, lectures, performances, and community outreach initiatives; support Indigenous staff leadership in development of Indigenous learning and programs aligned with ROM’s strategic direction.
Public Engagement: Reinforce ROM’s identity as a community focal point. Develop and implement strategies to engage diverse audiences, fostering inclusive and meaningful interactions with the museum’s collections and exhibitions.
Collaboration: Work with internal and external stakeholders, including educational institutions, artists, scientists, subject matter experts, community organizations, and other cultural institutions, to enhance ROM’s educational offerings.
Evaluation and Research: Develop a system of regular assessments of educational programs to measure their impact and effectiveness, and lead research initiatives to inform future programming.
Team Leadership: Provide guidance, support, and professional development opportunities for a team of education professionals, who are also responsible for seasonal staff and volunteers.
Budget Management: Contribute strategic thinking to budget management that meets attendance/participation and revenue targets, aligned with institutional priorities for mission and community impact.
Senior Leadership Team: participate in senior leadership meetings and initiatives that shape the institution and its priorities.

Qualifications

Advanced degree in Education, Museum Studies, or a related field.
Senior leadership experience (10 years +) in educational and/or public programming within a museum or cultural institution.
Proven track record of developing and implementing innovative educational and/or cultural engagement initiatives.
Exceptional leadership and management skills, applied to large and diverse teams, including seasonal staff and volunteers.
Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
Experience in managing budgets over $2.5 million.
Demonstrated success in fundraising.
Demonstrated success in implementing community partnerships.
Knowledge of decolonial, anti-oppression, and Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility practices.
Experience (5 years +) of managing unionized staff.

Personal Characteristics

Intellectually curious and enthusiastic about engaging in a wide array of topics across art, culture, and the natural world.
Embody a growth mindset, while remaining adaptable and resilient.
Actively hold existing relationships with diverse community stakeholders beyond ROM’s current network, for example with community leaders, artists, scientists, international scholars and institutions.
Comfort with public speaking on behalf of large organizations, both internally and externally, to diverse stakeholders, including board members, funders, government officials and grassroots community organizations.
A leadership style that fosters clear procedures and directives to support staff, as well as collaborative consensus building with peers in an environment that values diplomacy and discretion.
Able to prioritize competing demands within a large, multi-layered, publicly funded institution.
Aspirational to build high-calibre programs, but patient and flexible, and able to set incremental goals.
Sensitive to cultural heritage and aware of the complex societal pressures present in this work.
Aware of new trends in the delivery and dissemination of digital learning initiatives.

Internal Stakeholders

The Chief of Learning and Public Programming reports to the Deputy Director of Engagement and is a key member of the executive leadership team. This role involves working closely with various key ROM stakeholders, including Chief Curators, the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, ROM Governors, external partners, ROM Board members, and museum volunteer leadership.

Support and Resources

Collaboration with ROM’s curators, who steward ROM’s collection of 18 million objects across art, culture and nature
Access to galleries, a theatre, classrooms and an outdoor performance terrace for programming
30 hours of coaching during candidates first 6 months at ROM
Access to U of T’s libraries and research facilities
Travel budget for North American collaborations
Full-time evaluation researcher assigned to CLPP
Budget for consultations and program evaluation

Team Size and Structure

Approximately 25 full-time staff
Up to 100+ part-time staff during peak programming periods (e.g., camps)

Compensation

Salary range is $190,000 to $224,000 CAD, based on experience and qualifications. Successful candidates will receive full benefit coverage, including medical and dental plans, life insurance, long-term disability, and pension. Currently, the ROM operates on a 5-day schedule per week, with 3 days (Tuesday through Thursday) in office.

How to Apply

To apply in confidence, email 1) letter expressing interest in this particular position, giving brief examples of past educational and public programming experience and proposed initiatives; 2) curriculum vitae; 3) names of three references with contact information. For questions or to submit an application, with cover letter, please contact careers@rom.on.ca.

Any questions regarding this search should be directed to Menon Dwarka of MPD Culture Consultants, Inc. at menon@mpdcultureconsultants.com or 647.719.9624.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

Diversity Statement
At ROM, we consider equity, diversity, and inclusion foundational to our institutional success. We seek to foster a workplace that reflects the diversity of the city and province in which we are located and welcome all qualified and experienced candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, age, sex, race, religion, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Accessibility Statement
ROM is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitable accommodations are available under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) to applicants invited to an interview.

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.