Academic Head

Le Cordon Bleu Paris; Paris; Sur place; EUR 60 000 - 80 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A prestigious culinary institute in Paris is seeking an experienced Academic Head to provide academic leadership, manage program delivery, and ensure compliance with educational standards. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in higher education and hold a Master's degree, preferably a PhD. Responsibilities include curriculum development, academic quality assurance, and faculty mentoring. This full-time, on-site position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, starting on April 1, 2026.

Prestations

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years experience in higher education-level teaching.
• Proven experience with academic quality assurance compliance.
• PhD preferred in Gastronomy, Food Sciences, or Hospitality Management.

Responsabilités

• Provide academic leadership and guidance on program delivery.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and quality standards.
• Manage academic resources and support faculty development.

Connaissances

Academic leadership

Program delivery

Teaching methodologies

Project management

Curriculum development

Formation

Master's degree in relevant fields

Outils

Learning management systems

Description du poste

Academic Head - Full Time Position

The Cordon Bleu Paris Institute is seeking a dynamic and experienced educator/lecturer to provide academic leadership, contribute to institutional administration, and shape the overall strategic direction of our educational mission. This role is meant to extend beyond operational management with the view for a potential progression to encompass institutional governance and policy development, strategic planning, and academic vision setting.

The successful candidate will demonstrate proven experience with academic quality assurance compliance requirements, higher education teaching and academic program development and management while maintaining expert knowledge in the areas of Hospitality, Gastronomy and Food systems, Food & Beverage experiences.

Key roles

In carrying out his or her role, the “Academic Head” is meant to contribute to teaching, academic mentoring and leadership, administration excellence and implementation of best practices in academic quality assurance. Expectations with respect to these domains are as follows:

Academic leadership

• Understand, contribute and guide programme content delivery
• Provide institutional leadership in support the institution's philosophy, principles, and governance structure;
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic academic initiatives
• Provide guidance for academic programme design, delivery and management.

Administrative Excellence

• Manage academic resources efficiently and lead academic staff to ensure effective program delivery and faculty development
• Counsel and guide the head of "Student trajectory and academic operations" to enhance deployment of student-centered teaching and learning approaches.
• Support faculty development in contemporary teaching practices.
• Navigate effectively between senior academic administration, academic functions, and operational support ensuring transparent communication regarding project status, challenges, and solutions.

Academic Quality Assurance

• Collaborate with Head of Academic Quality Assurance to ensure compliance with institutional policies and accreditation standards
• Lead the implementation and maintenance of academic quality assurance principles including transparency, equity, trackability, and accountability.
• Monitor key performance indicators for academic excellence
• Lead and oversee Academic Council activities according to approved Terms of References.

Key Responsibilities

In addition to teaching and mentoring, specific academic responsibilities will include contributions to Program Development and Management, as well as Curricular design. Specific examples are provided below.

Program Development & Management

• Ensure content coherence, breadth, depth, and logical progression within and across programs
• Optimize alignment between program descriptions, marketing materials, and actual delivery and enhance academic documentation to improve clarity and effectiveness.
• Provide strategic insight into leading-edge advances and emerging trends in the areas Food & Beverage experiences and services, food product development and innovation.
• Foster and grow relationships with academic and industry partners to enhance student-centered research and professional experience opportunities
• Align industry related professional requirements and academic preparation, integrating cutting-edge developments into applied learning and internship experiences.

Curriculum Design / Learning Objectives / Evaluation Management

• Ensure differentiation and respect of curricular intentions, teaching goals, learning and assessment objectives, overseeing design and implementation of comprehensive course assessment frameworks
• Mentor faculty in reconciling teaching approaches with prescribed learning objectives and foster innovative pedagogical approaches that balance "need to know" with engaging, playful teaching methods
• Optimize questionnaire design and evaluation processes
• Analyze assessment data and prepare detailed reports with actionable recommendations.

Required Qualifications – Education & Experience

• Master's degree (PhD preferred) in the areas of "Gastronomy", "Food Product Development", "Food Sciences", "Hospitality Management", "Food & Beverage Management" or equivalent
• Minimum 5+ years experience in higher education-level teaching, academic operations and management.

Leadership & Management Skills

• Proven leadership ability with experience managing academic teams and working effectively with senior management
• Experience in academic affairs management/coordination
• Experience navigating complex organisational structures
• Track record of successful project management and delivery.

Technical Skills & Competencies

• Experience academic quality assurance processes including academic documentation, accreditation processes and compliance requirements
• Expertise in program mapping and curriculum development
• Experience in assessment design and data analysis across all levels of academic programs and training.
• Proficiency in the use of educational technology and learning management systems and evolving best practices.

Essential Attributes – Professional Qualities

• Integrity & Transparency: Commitment to honest communication about capabilities, challenges, and progress
• Rigorous Standards: Unwavering commitment to academic excellence and process adherence
• Adaptability: Willingness to learn and improve based on feedback and changing requirements
• An understanding of the European competency certification framework and of French education system and regulatory bodies will be an asset
• Collaborative Leadership: Ability to work effectively across departments and with diverse stakeholders.

Personal Characteristics

• Language proficiency: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; Minimum of Intermediate verbal proficiency in French language (professional working level).
• Willingness to relocate to Paris for full-time on-site presence
• Ability to balance firmness in standards with supportive mentoring
• Openness to new experiences and continuous professional development
• Capacity to accept and implement senior management decisions constructively

Key Performance Indicators

• Academic program quality metrics and accreditation compliance
• Student satisfaction and learning outcome achievement
• Faculty development and retention rates
• Timely completion of academic administration projects
• Effective stakeholder collaboration and communication
• Innovation in curriculum design and teaching methodologies

Reporting Structure

The Academic Head position reports directly to the Institutional Direction, and works closely with:

• Head Quality assurance and compliance
• Head Student Trajectory and academic operations
• Academic teaching and support staff
• Registrar and program scheduling
• Student services and support functions
• Sales and Marketing team members

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary: Commensurate with experience, plus comprehensive benefits package including professional development.

Application Deadline

January 30th 2026

Start Date

As of 1 April 2026

Application Process And Required Documents

• Comprehensive CV/Resume
• Cover letter outlining career expectations and relevant experience
• Three professional references
• Teaching evaluations or portfolio (if available)

Selection Process

• Initial application review
• Video or in-person interview with hiring committee to short list
• Short listed candidates invited to second interview with expanded team members
• Final interview with senior institutional management