Director, Ontario Jewish Archives

About UJA Federation of Greater Toronto At UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, our vision is to lead the most vibrant Jewish community in North America - a community characterized by its diversity, unity, compassion, generosity and commitment to Jewish values. Together with our philanthropic, volunteer and professional leadership, we’re changing lives.

About the Opportunity The Ontario Jewish Archives (OJA), a department of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, is entering a bold new chapter—and we are 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.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: General

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

Archival Responsibilities

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

Programming, Exhibitions & 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.

Administration

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

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