Vice President, Workforce Development and Industry Solutions

Location Flexible Across Campuses

Summary

The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), founded in 1946, is a leading global institution for culinary, food, and hospitality education, with campuses in the U.S. and Singapore. Guided by its philosophy Cibus Vitae Est (“food is life”), the CIA emphasizes food’s role in culture, health, and the economy. With nearly 60,000 alumni shaping the industry worldwide, the CIA combines hands-on training, specialized academic programs, and public experiences to develop culinary leaders. In recent decades, it has expanded its influence through collaborations with institutions like Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Stanford University, driving initiatives in nutrition, sustainability, and food policy while convening global leaders to address the future of food and health.

The Culinary Institute of America seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial leader to serve as Vice President, Workforce Development and Industry Solutions – Food & Beverage. This role will shape the future of talent across the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors by leading a global strategy for workforce development, professional learning, and employer partnerships. Reporting to the President, the Vice President will build and scale a market-facing enterprise that expands the CIA’s impact through initiatives like the CIA Academy, industry collaborations, and innovative workforce solutions.

Designed for a builder and strategist, this executive will translate vision into action by developing new offerings, forging high-impact partnerships, and growing a scalable portfolio of non-degree education and B2B solutions. As a senior external voice, the Vice President will position the CIA as a premier global partner in workforce advancement, driving thought leadership and strengthening career mobility, workforce readiness, and employer capability across the industry.

This role does not oversee the CIA's internal human resources or employee operations. Instead, it is an outward-facing leadership position focused on industry talent systems, employer enablement, and the CIA’s long-term impact as a global force in workforce transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and lead enterprise strategy for workforce growth and expansion.
• Build and scale a portfolio of workforce and professional offerings.
• Drive partnerships and ecosystem development to expand impact.
• Position the CIA as a thought leader on the future of work.
• Lead go-to-market and growth strategies to drive adoption and revenue.
• Oversee operations and delivery for scalable, high-quality programs.
• Ensure financial performance and governance across the portfolio.
• Build and lead a high-performing team and collaborative culture.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education & passion: Relevant degree; strong alignment with the Culinary Institute of America mission and food industry.
• Senior leadership: 10+ years leading teams, P&Ls, and complex operations.
• Workforce & learning expertise: Proven experience in workforce development, professional education, and scalable B2B/B2C programs.
• Strategic builder: Entrepreneurial leader with strong execution and financial acumen.
• Partnerships: Skilled at building cross-sector relationships and collaborations.
• Audience & experience focus: Strength in designing engaging, customer/learner experiences.
• Digital fluency: Experience with digital transformation and learning technologies.

Salary of $245,000 per year.

Contact

To explore this opportunity, please apply via our talent profile portal: Link

Jeannine Sommer
Executive Vice President, Search Operations and Quality, Corporate and Healthcare and Managing Associate

Rhonda Taylor
Managing Director

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