Apply By: Tuesday, May 12, 2026 11:59 pm EDT

Director, Design and Interpretation

Job ID:
244197
Organization:
Ontario Science Centre
Division:
Learning and Engagement / Design and Interpretation
City:
Toronto
Position(s) language:
English
Job term:
1 Temporary Temporary – 18 months
Job code:
M1108A - Prog Planning & Evaluation08
Salary:
$110,638.00 - $155,942.00 Per year

Create impact through meaningful experiences

Join the Ontario Science Centre, where you will oversee creative teams that design and deliver engaging, interactive exhibit experiences. You will shape overarching interpretative strategies, visitor impact, and organizational success while helping to create a lasting fascination for science that powers promising futures.

About the job

In this role, you will lead the Design & Interpretation department, which includes 2D and 3D Exhibit Design, Motion Graphics and Graphic Production, Fabrication, Exhibit Support and Interpretive Planning and Editorial teams.

You will also:

• lead and support diverse project teams to design and deliver exhibits and interactive experiences
• provide senior-level guidance and decision making on design, fabrication, editorial and interpretive planning
• develop and recommend business strategies that improve exhibits, increase participation, generate revenue, and support financial stability
• set performance targets, evaluate progress, and report regularly to senior management
• lead and oversee department policies, best practices, and procedures, including for staff health and safety

What you bring to the team


Management and leadership skills

You have experience in:

• leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of hands-on, interactive exhibit design, fabrication and interpretive planning strategies
• providing strategic direction, guidance and coaching to staff and project teams
• fostering an environment that values inclusion, high performance, learning and continuous improvement
• leading initiatives and strategies which would support the Centre's mandate and visitor experience

Specific skills and knowledge

You can:

• oversee a visitor-focused and financially sustainable exhibit and experience plan that aligns with organizational goals and target audiences
• design and develop interactive, engaging and educational experiences for diverse audiences, including families, students, educators and general visitors
• improve and modernize service delivery through resource planning and developing change management strategies
• lead multi-year business, financial, resource and results-based planning processes

Communication and interpersonal skills

You can:

• build and maintain working relationships with executives, senior leaders, employees, and interest groups
• provide creative direction and advice on design, fabrication, editorial, and interactive planning, to guide senior management decisions
• communicate issues and risks that may affect departmental goals
• lead issue resolution and create communication plans to reduce risks, and address current or emerging issues

Analytical thinking skills

You can:

• build key relationships and develop strategies to support sustainability, revitalization, and department goals
• review exhibit and experience delivery and address issues as they arise
• create innovative partnerships and lead consultations that promote and support best practices in design, development, and delivery

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer  accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please  contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

What we offer

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:

• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more
• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment

Additional information:

Apply by:
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 11:59 pm EDT
Position details:
  • 1 English Temporary, duration up to 18 months, 777 Bay St, Toronto, Toronto Region
Compensation group:
Management Compensation Plan
Work hours:
Category:
Management and General
Posted on:
Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Note:

  • T-SC-244197/26


How to apply:

  1. You must apply online.
  2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
  3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
  4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
  5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
  6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.


Strengthening Ontario, together