Director, Ontario Jewish Archives
About The Position
The Ontario Jewish Archives (OJA), a department of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, is entering a bold new chapter and is seeking a visionary Director to lead its transformation. Following a major renovation and full institutional rebrand, OJA is poised to reintroduce itself as a dynamic, public-facing centre for Jewish life, memory, and storytelling in Ontario. The reopening and launch is scheduled for spring 2027. This is a rare opportunity for a leader to shape the future of Canada’s largest repository of Jewish heritage—expanding its reach, deepening its impact, and engaging new and diverse audiences in meaningful ways. Under the direction of the Executive Director of the OJA, and in accordance with recognized professional principles and procedures and approved in-house policies, the Managing Director oversees the acquisition, appraisal, arrangement and description, preservation, promotion and the accessibility of the holdings of the Ontario Jewish Archives. The Director will lead the launch of a revitalized physical space and digital presence, positioning OJA as a hub for research, dialogue, and cultural connection for generations to come.
Requirements
- Senior archival professional with 7-10 years of archival experience
- 3-5 years of supervisory experience
- Strong knowledge of the Rules for Archival Description
- Ability to manage a departmental budget
- Proven experience coordinating outreach activities including program and exhibition development
- Understanding of records management practices
- Ability to make decisions and create a team environment
- Proven experience managing change and fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment.
- Proven success in partnership development, grant writing, and significant collection acquisition
- Strong communication, negotiating, and fundraising skills
- Firm understanding of Canadian Jewish history, culture, and community
- Masters of Archival Studies from a recognized university or equivalent
Responsibilities
- Supervises permanent and contract archival staff and volunteers
- Directs all aspects of archival operations, including appraisal, acquisition, preservation, description, access, and reference services for physical and digital collections.
- Establishes strategic priorities for collection development, preservation, and access initiatives in alignment with institutional mission and stakeholder needs.
- Oversees the implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of archival discovery and access systems, including online databases, websites, and digital preservation platforms.
- Cultivates and sustains partnerships with academic, cultural, heritage, and community organizations to advance shared research and outreach goals
- Sets strategic direction for the acquisition, appraisal, arrangement, description, preservation, and access of archival holdings in alignment with the OJA’s collections mandate.
- Develops and implements acquisition priorities; cultivates relationships with community groups and individuals; identifies, appraises, and acquires historically significant materials, including preparing monetary appraisals and CPERB applications.
- Ensures the ongoing physical and intellectual control of archival holdings through appropriate arrangement, description, and documentation practices in accordance with the Rules for Archival Description (RAD).
- Oversees preservation management strategies for physical and digital records, ensuring the long-term protection of collections through appropriate storage environments, conservation practices, and digital preservation standards
- Ensures equitable access to archival collections by overseeing reference services, access policies (privacy restrictions), copyright and privacy considerations, and the development and maintenance of research tools, including online resources
- Develops new relationships with donors of historical records and strengthens existing relationships through stewardship and regular outreach
- Provides strategic management and leadership in the development and delivery of innovative outreach programming
- Develops partnerships designed to enhance the profile of the OJA
- Oversees the content development of the OJA website and other social media tools
- Secures new funding opportunities (grants and private) to support new and existing programming
- Develops ministry-aligned educational resources from content and narratives generated from the OJA collection
- Oversees the development and maintenance of physical and virtual exhibitions
- Works in partnership with other heritage and arts organizations, including UJA Federation departments and agencies, on heritage programming
- Oversees and executes quarterly OJA newsletter, holiday greetings, and other public communications.
- Leads, supervises, and mentors professional archival staff, contract workers, students, and volunteers, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
- Leads strategic planning and program evaluation
- Serve as the primary liaison to the board, aligning on vision and priorities, and supporting effective governance, planning, and board engagement
- Secures external funding through competitive grants and fundraising initiatives
- Develops and administers the departmental budget
- Plans and executes yearly fundraising campaign
- Oversees, evaluates and monitors volunteer program
- Ensures implementation of OJA policies and procedures
- Prepares regular reports on OJA operations and provides updates to UJA
- Prepares and submits grant applications for a variety of funding opportunities
Benefits
- rich time off policy
- offices are closed on all Jewish holy days (yom tov)
- support early office closures to observe the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
