Communications Intern: Young Canada… at Royal Ontario… · Toronto

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 Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is seeking a Communications Intern to join the Communications Department through the Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations (YCW) program.

This internship offers an exciting opportunity for students and emerging communications professionals to gain hands-on experience supporting public relations and communications campaigns tied to ROM’s exhibitions, events, curatorial expertise, institutional initiatives, and audience engagement efforts.

Working within a fast-paced communications environment, the intern will contribute to storytelling initiatives that amplify ROM’s exhibitions, summer programming, live events, and visitor experiences. The role will also support major institutional projects, including communications related to transformational initiatives and strategic audience outreach.

The Communications Intern will gain mentorship-driven, hands-on experience in media relations, campaign coordination, content development, digital communications, and event support while working at the intersection of art, culture, nature, and civic engagement at one of Canada’s leading cultural institutions.

Please note: This opportunity is part of the Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations (YCW) program. Applicants must meet Young Canada Works eligibility requirements, including being legally entitled to work in Canada and either currently enrolled in or returning to post-secondary studies.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Support the development, editing, and proofreading of public-facing communications materials, including media releases, advisories, briefing notes, website copy, and promotional content, including media releases, advisories, briefing notes, website copy, and promotional content
• Support the coordination of communications and promotional campaigns tied to exhibitions, summer programming, strategic initiatives, and audience engagement efforts
• Assist with communications for major institutional initiatives, cross-museum projects, and strategic campaigns, including messaging development and publicity support, cross-museum projects, and strategic campaigns, including messaging development and publicity support
• Support onsite media visits, filming, photography sessions, interviews, and special events
• Support the maintenance of project trackers, media lists, databases, and communications materials to assist campaign planning and departmental operations
• Monitor media coverage and assist with reporting on communications performance and engagement metrics
• Support promotion of public programming and events, including ROM After Dark, live performances, talks, and seasonal activations
• Assist with social media initiatives, including influencer outreach, content coordination, community management, and image database organization
• Contribute creative ideas and participate in communications, brainstorming, and planning sessions
• Perform other related duties in support of the Communications team
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and gain exposure to institutional communications planning, campaign development, and public engagement strategies

WHAT YOU BRING

• Currently enrolled in or returning to a post-secondary program in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Studies, Arts Management, or a related field
• Demonstrated interest in communications, media relations, storytelling, and public engagement
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment
• Familiarity with media monitoring, digital communications, or content creation tools is an asset
• Interest in museums, arts and culture, natural history, or Toronto’s cultural landscape is an asset
• Creative, adaptable, and eager to learn within a dynamic communications environment
• Examples of how your academic and work experience demonstrate the above criteria should be included in your application materials
• Applicants must submit both a resume and a cover letter. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS (Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations Program)

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for this position:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada and have a valid Social Insurance Number
• Be between the ages of 16 and 30 (inclusive) at the start of employment
• Be currently enrolled in or returning to a post-secondary program
• Candidates from equity-deserving communities are strongly encouraged to apply
• Be unemployed or underemployed at the start of the internship

Priority may be given to candidates who have not previously participated in a Young Canada Works internship program.

SALARY & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• START DATE: June 2026
• END DATE: September 4, 2026
• OPEN DATE: May 21, 2026
• CLOSE DATE: June 5, 2026
• STATUS: Full-time contract
• EMPLOYEE GROUP: Non-Union
• EXPECTED COMPENSATION: $17.60 per hour
• SCHEDULE: 35 hours per week for a period of approximately 3 months
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: The internship period will serve as the evaluation period for this role
• LOCATION (onsite): Toronto, ON

Important Note This position is funded in part through the Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations (YCW) program. Employment is contingent upon the successful candidate meeting all Young Canada Works eligibility requirements and completing the required program documentation.

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 45-minute 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.
3. Candidates may be asked to complete a short, practical exercise related to communications.

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