Mō tēnei tūranga | About the Role
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of culinary education in Aotearoa. You’ll lead the development of a new degree programme with a strong focus on work-integrated learning, supporting learners to study while working in industry.
As Senior Discipline Lead – Culinary Arts, you’ll build the academic vision from the ground up — setting the tone for teaching, research, industry integration and student success. You’ll join an experienced leadership team driving a broader education reform agenda, including a future pathway toward apprenticeship degrees.
Te whiwhinga mahi | What You’ll Be Doing
- Provide academic leadership for culinary arts within a new suite of degree-level programmes
- Lead curriculum development, programme approval, moderation, assessment design, and delivery planning
- Build and mentor a team of academic staff, supporting quality teaching and research activity
- Engage with hospitality/culinary industry to strengthen work-integrated learning opportunities
- Ensure the programme aligns with NZQA approval requirements and supports diverse learner pathways
- Support equity-focused outcomes, particularly for Māori and Pasifika students
This is an academic leadership role requiring deep experience in higher education — particularly where learning is grounded in real-world application. You’ll be comfortable operating in a fast-moving, private education setting, and motivated by widening access and improving learner outcomes.
To succeed, you’ll need:
- A Master’s degree (essential); a PhD or doctoral study underway (strongly preferred)
- Higher education experience, ideally at degree level, including programme development and academic quality systems
- Proven ability to lead or contribute to work-integrated/applied learning programmes
- Credibility in hospitality/culinary education or related vocational sectors
- Collaborative, practical leadership style with a strong learner and industry focus
- Familiarity with NZQA processes (or equivalent ITP/university/PTE quality frameworks)
- Build and lead a new degree programme with national impact
- Join an expert team of education leaders and help shape new models of learning
- Competitive salary: $130,000–$150,000 depending on experience
- NZ-based role with relocation support available for candidates based in Australia
- Flexible working arrangements; Auckland HQ with hybrid working available
- Be part of an equity-focused mission to expand access to degree-level study
If you’re ready to lead the future of culinary education in Aotearoa and want to be part of a bold, purpose-driven higher education project — apply now. For a confidential kōrero, contact Shannon Barlow at Frog Recruitment on 09 869 6259.
Operating for over 20 years in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, people2people, Edge Recruitment, and Frog Recruitment are an award-winning recruitment group and HR solutions provider. As an inclusive workforce, we welcome everyone and encourage our employees, clients, and candidates to showcase their authentic selves.
Should you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, we encourage you to make a request by phoning the above-mentioned recruitment consultant to discuss. In response to these requests, we will collaborate closely with you to implement the appropriate adjustments.
