Head of School - Culinary Arts - Auckland - New Zealand

Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro nōnā te ngahere, ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōnā te ao. “The bird who eats the miro berry, the forest is their domain. The bird who consumes knowledge, the world is theirs.” At Skills Group, our mission is simple but bold: to maximise human potential by preparing a future-fit workforce that drives success for individuals, organisations, and industry. We’re building something new — and we’re looking for a Senior Discipline Lead to help us to help us implement and advance its evolution?

• Please note: This role is based in Auckland - New Zealand - A relocation package & visa assistance (if required) will be available for the right candidate

Lead the future of Culinary Education We're seeking a Senior Discipline Lead – Culinary Arts to lead the implementation of the Bachelor of Culinary Arts a forward-thinking applied degree that blends culinary excellence with future-focused, work-integrated learning. This role will shape the design, delivery, and evolution of a programme that equips learners with real-world culinary and hospitality capabilities — from advanced kitchen techniques to leadership in food service environments.
This is your opportunity to

• Implement a curriculum that fuses practical culinary skills with theoretical and analytical learning
• Share your expertise to shape innovative, industry-relevant curriculum that prepares graduates for tomorrow’s workplace challenges.
• Collaborate with educators to bring the curriculum to life through blended, hybrid, and online platforms
• Create authentic assessment frameworks that reflect industry practice and showcase learner capabilities
• Establish and maintain strong industry relationships to ensure curriculum relevance and integrated learning opportunities
• Lead and contribute to discipline-relevant research that advances applied knowledge

What we’re looking for You bring a balance of academic insight, industry credibility, and learner-centred thinking. We’re looking for someone with:

• A Masters degree in a relevant field (PhD preferred)
• Higher education teaching qualifications (preferred)
• Leadership experience in culinary education or industry
• Proven success in vocational programme development and work-integrated learning
• A strong research profile, or a clear path into academic or practice-based research
• The ability to build collaborative relationships and lead multidisciplinary teams
• A passion for student success, innovation, and practical, future-facing learning

Why Skills? At Skills, we’re more than an education provider — we’re a community. Our culture is grounded in our values: Joy, Manaakitanga, Grow, and Bold. We offer

• The agility of a new programme backed by a stable, purpose-driven organisation
• A chance to help shape what vocational higher education looks like in Aotearoa
• A collaborative environment where innovation is welcomed and impact is real

Are you ready to shape the future of Culinary Arts education in Aotearoa?
Apply today and help us build a new kind of degree; one that celebrates innovative, applied learning and prepares graduates for a future of many opportunities.