Program Assistant (9-month contract)

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 goal of transforming and evolving into one of the world’s foremost 21st-century museums, we seek passionate, dynamic team members who embody our mission and values.
WHO WE NEED
We are seeking an engaging and service-oriented Program Assistant to support the delivery of public programs within ROM’s Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning team. In this role, you will help activate the museum as a welcoming space for community connection and lifelong learning by supporting the delivery of talks, workshops, and community-focused events. Working closely with program coordinators and under the guidance of the Manager, you will play an important role in ensuring programs run smoothly while creating an inclusive and welcoming experience for visitors.
HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Deliver a welcoming and organized entry experience for program attendees by scanning or collecting tickets, confirming guest lists, and directing visitors to program locations.
• Support the successful delivery of ROM public programs by assisting with day-of logistics, including signage setup, room preparation, materials coordination, and guiding speakers or facilitators.
• Create an inclusive and positive visitor experience by responding to questions, addressing concerns, and helping ensure programs run smoothly for diverse audiences.
• Assist with operational coordination of programs by managing materials, supporting program facilitators, and helping coordinate event logistics such as food deliveries and room readiness.
• Provide administrative support to the Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning team, including conducting research and environmental scans, assisting with document preparation, and supporting program planning tasks.
• Collaborate with program coordinators and team members to ensure programs are delivered efficiently and reflect ROM’s commitment to accessible and engaging learning experiences.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Completion of at least one year of post-secondary education in a related field such as education, museum studies, community engagement, arts administration, or a similar discipline.
• Minimum two years of experience in a customer-facing or public-facing role, with demonstrated ability to provide welcoming and responsive service to diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with visitors of diverse ages, backgrounds, abilities, and language fluency.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple operational tasks.
• Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills, with the ability to respond calmly and effectively to operational or visitor-related issues during programs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Outlook and Excel.
• Multilingual skills are considered an asset, particularly languages commonly spoken in Ontario communities such as Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Urdu, Tagalog, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, or American Sign Language.
• This position requires that you maintain minimum availability to work one weekday during Museum operating hours throughout the year, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as occasional weeknights, and one additional weekday during peak periods as defined by the museum.

SALARY & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• START DATE: September 2026
• OPEN DATE: July 13, 2026
• CLOSE DATE: July 31, 2026
• STATUS: Part-time Contract
• EMPLOYEE GROUP: OPSEU Local 543
• EXPECTED COMPENSATION: $26.60 - $30.41
• SCHEDULE: Up to 24 hours weekly
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 420 hours or six (6) months
• LOCATION (onsite): 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 [email protected] 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.

APPLY NOW
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.
#LI-Onsite