AVP, Exhibition Design

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.

At Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), we are reimagining how audiences experience art, culture, and nature. As AVP, Exhibition Design, you will shape the creative direction of exhibitions and gallery spaces seen by over 1.3 million visitors each year, translating ideas into immersive, inclusive, and impactful experiences at scale.

WHO WE NEED
We are seeking a strategic and visionary leader to join ROM as our AVP Exhibition Design, a role that sits at the intersection of creative excellence, operational leadership, and institutional impact.

Reporting to the Chief, Exhibitions and Galleries, the AVP, Exhibition Design is the senior design authority responsible for shaping how millions of visitors experience ROM’s exhibitions, galleries, and public spaces. This role provides both creative direction and strategic oversight across the full exhibition lifecycle, ensuring that design outcomes are innovative, inclusive, and aligned with ROM’s mission and audience-first approach.

As a leader, you will guide and inspire a multidisciplinary design team while working in close partnership with curatorial, interpretation, collections, marketing, and external collaborators. You will play a critical role in translating complex ideas into compelling, accessible, and engaging visitor experiences, balancing creativity with feasibility, and vision with execution.

This is a highly collaborative and influential role that requires both strong design sensibility and the ability to operate at an enterprise level. You will contribute to institutional planning, establish design standards and practices, and ensure that exhibitions are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest level of quality.

The ideal candidate brings a unique blend of creative leadership, strategic thinking, and operational discipline, with a demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage complexity, and deliver impactful, visitor-centred design at scale.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT
As the AVP, Exhibition Design, you will shape the creative and experiential direction of ROM’s exhibitions and galleries, ensuring design excellence across all visitor-facing environments. Your impact will span strategy, execution, and leadership across the institution.

Design Leadership & Creative Direction
You will define and lead the overall design vision for exhibitions and gallery spaces, ensuring experiences are innovative, engaging, and aligned with ROM’s mission. You will champion visitor-centred, inclusive, and accessible design, integrating emerging technologies, multimedia, and immersive approaches to elevate how audiences experience art, culture, and nature.

Exhibition Strategy & Delivery
You will oversee the end-to-end design process across multiple concurrent exhibition projects, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, timelines, and budgets. You will establish and evolve design standards, processes, and best practices to ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency across all projects.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Institutional Influence
You will serve as a key partner to curatorial, interpretation, collections, marketing, learning, and fundraising teams, translating complex content into compelling physical and digital experiences. As a senior leader, you will contribute to institutional planning and represent the design function in strategic initiatives, committees, and decision-making forums.

Team Leadership & Development
You will lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing design team, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous learning. You will oversee resource planning, team structure, and delivery models, ensuring the team is equipped to meet evolving exhibition demands.

Operational Excellence & Stewardship
You will provide oversight of design budgets, schedules, and resource allocation, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. You will collaborate on procurement strategies, manage vendor relationships, and ensure compliance with relevant standards, including accessibility requirements and building codes.

Innovation, Sustainability & Sector Leadership
You will stay at the forefront of exhibition design trends and technologies, advancing innovative and sustainable design practices across the Museum. You will build and maintain strong relationships within the cultural sector, contributing to ROM’s reputation as a leader in exhibition design and visitor experience.

WHAT YOU BRING
You bring a strong foundation in exhibition design, paired with the leadership and strategic capability required to operate at a senior institutional level.

Experience & Leadership

• Significant experience (10+ years) leading exhibition, gallery, or experiential design within a museum, cultural institution, or similarly complex environment
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing, multidisciplinary teams
• Experience operating at a senior level, influencing stakeholders and contributing to organizational strategy

Design Expertise

• Deep knowledge of exhibition design principles, including spatial design, storytelling, accessibility, lighting, and multimedia integration
• Proven ability to translate complex curatorial and interpretive content into compelling, visitor-centred experiences
• Strong understanding of current and emerging trends in exhibition design, immersive environments, and audience engagement

Operational & Project Delivery

• Demonstrated experience overseeing multiple concurrent projects, with accountability for timelines, budgets, and resource planning
• Experience working with external vendors, consultants, and fabricators, including procurement and contract processes
• Familiarity with building codes, accessibility standards, and technical requirements related to exhibition development

Collaboration & Communication

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership, internal teams, and external partners
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally in a highly collaborative, matrixed environment

Education & Technical Skills

• Post-secondary education in exhibition design, architecture, industrial design, graphic design, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Proficiency in design and visualization tools (e.g., AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, 3D modelling software) and standard office applications

Additional Assets

• Experience integrating sustainability principles into design practices
• Exposure to international or travelling exhibitions and/or global cultural partnerships
• French language skills are considered an asset

WHAT WE OFFER

• Comprehensive benefits coverage: For permanent and full-time contract positions (conditions apply), enjoy paid benefits for individuals and families, a health spending account, 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: Summer 2026
• OPEN DATE: April 16, 2026
• CLOSE DATE: Open until filled
• STATUS: Full-time permanent
• EMPLOYEE GROUP: Non-union
• EXPECTED COMPENSATION: $126,561 - $148,895
• SCHEDULE: 35 hours weekly
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 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. 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.
3. Third Interview (if required): 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 [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.

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.

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