Associate Dean - Culinary Initiatives and Innovation

Associate Dean - Culinary Initiatives and Innovation

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $120,000 to $130,000. Hiring offers will be determined based on the final candidate's qualifications and experience. The recruiter can share more information about what the anticipated hiring salary would be based upon your specific qualifications during the selection process.

The CIA offers a substantial benefits package that includes medical coverage available at no cost to qualifying employees, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short and long term disability insurance, retirement savings plan with high employer contributions, a generous paid time off program, and more!

As the benefits package at the CIA results in a significant value above the base hiring salary for this position, we encourage you to apply so that our recruiters can share more information with you about the benefits of working for the CIA.

Position Summary

The Associate Dean for Culinary Initiatives and Innovation serves as a strategic academic leader responsible for advancing the future relevance, reach, and impact of culinary education at the Culinary Institute of America.

This role bridges academic excellence and initiatives, industry innovation, and emerging educational models to position CIA as the global leader in contemporary culinary and hospitality education.

The Associate Dean contributes to the development and execution of forward-looking academic and industry initiatives that strengthen CIA's reputation, enhance student outcomes, deepen industry engagement, and expand institutional opportunities domestically and internationally.

This position focuses on identifying emerging trends across food, hospitality, wellness, technology, sustainability, and translating those trends into actionable educational strategies, partnerships, programs, and learning experiences. The position also takes a coordinating role around many of the one-semester bachelor's concentrations, usually held at other CIA campuses or internationally.

The Associate Dean works closely with the Dean of the School of Culinary Arts, other Associate Deans, faculty, students, senior college leadership, alumni, and industry partners to drive interdisciplinary collaboration, applied innovation, and continuous improvement across the broader institution.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Innovation

• Facilitate the development and implementation of future-focused culinary education initiatives aligned with institutional priorities and evolving industry needs.
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities across culinary arts, food systems, hospitality, wellness, technology, AI, sustainability, and other related fields.
• Collaborate with deans and faculty on piloting innovative educational models, interdisciplinary learning experiences, and new program concepts.
• Support the integration of appropriate digital tools, AI-enabled learning approaches, and experiential pedagogies into culinary education.
• Advance CIA's leadership position in culinary innovation through strategic initiatives, partnerships, public engagement, and thought leadership.

Academic Excellence & Program Development

• Oversee concentrations, special initiatives, and designated academic programs to ensure rigor, relevance, and alignment with industry expectations.
• Lead relevant ongoing curriculum review and program assessment processes to maintain academic quality and future workforce alignment.
• Foster a culture of teaching excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement among faculty.
• Support faculty professional development in emerging disciplines, instructional methodologies, and industry trends.
• Ensure academic initiatives maintain alignment with accreditation standards, institutional policies, and collective bargaining agreements.

Industry Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with industry leaders, organizations, employers, alumni, and external partners.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop applied learning opportunities, workforce initiatives, executive education, and strategic partnerships.
• Identify opportunities for new educational offerings, credentials, certifications, and industry-facing initiatives.
• Represent CIA at conferences, professional organizations, industry events, and external forums to strengthen institutional visibility and influence.

Workforce Development & Student Outcomes

• Ensure academic initiatives align with evolving workforce demands and employer expectations.
• Support the development of programs and experiences that strengthen graduate readiness, adaptability, leadership capacity, and career outcomes.
• Collaborate with admissions, student affairs, career services, and institutional leadership to support recruitment, retention, and student success strategies.
• Use data, feedback, and industry insights to evaluate program effectiveness and guide continuous improvement efforts.

Operational & Administrative…