Director of Institute (GCI)

Position Overview

The Director of the Institute (GCI DI) embodies and articulates all aspects of the GCI mission, including the flagship education program, tourist engagement, professional development for culinary industry specialists, experiential food enthusiast opportunities, and alumni programs. The Director of the Institute fosters the relationships and practices that create and embrace the school's culture and core values of Discover, Engage and Create.

The GCI DI works closely with the CEO and leadership team, who are collectively responsible for the management of the school, restaurant, tourism and GCI campus businesses. With support from qualified specialists, faculty, and consultants, the GCI DI has overall responsibility for the comprehensive curriculum and instruction, quality student life, faculty development and retention, admissions, and school advancement. Further, the GCI DI promotes and supports communication, community, and collaboration; advocates for faculty and educational goals; facilitates communication among the administration, faculty and staff; and works collaboratively with other GCI executive leadership to achieve the GCI's strategic objectives

Based in Kibuttz Gonen

Responsibilities

• Education and Instruction
• Student Admissions & Administration
• Learning Outcomes, Academic Standards and quality insurance
• Management of faculty & academic staff
• General Areas

Education and Instruction

• Responsible for all educational initiatives, training, and curricula for each individual program, including hybrid educational opportunities.
• Participates in the education of students via lectures, experiences, classes and tourism programming. With a small team in the beginning, everyone will be expected to contribute in many areas.
• Oversees education implementation for all GCI programs: flagshipp, tourist, enthusiast and professional development.

Student Administration and Admissions

• Creates and maintains a safe work and learning environment, including development of a student handbook, code of conduct, and other elements of student life.
• Supervises and assists the admissions functions of the school, including recruitment programs, internal marketing, external outreach, information dissemination, and applicant interviewing, including administration of the school's financial aid program.
• Develops, implements, and oversees the student experience: enrollment, retention policies and practices, field experiences, academic advising, programs, educational and career opportunities, student's mentorship programs, extracurricular programs etc.
• Effectively addresses behavioral issues and manages conflict as necessary.
• Supervises the school's support systems, such as counseling, academic support, health and wellness, etc.

Learning Outcomes, Academic Standards and Quality Insurance

• Develops, implements and oversees methods, evaluation, assessments, and competencies of courses and faculty, ensuring that all programs meet their objectives, GCI core values, and the requirements of any relevant external entities.

Management of Faculty & academic staff

• Establishes and maintains the philosophy and culture of the Insititute to support its core values
• Creates, implements, and monitors the Institute schedule and systems that will be followed for each annual term.
• Recruitment and management of faculty and academic staff.

General Areas

• Works closely with the marketing department and public relations for all educational programs and promotional activities.
• Participates with the CEO, leadership, and all relevant staff to establish and balance the institutional P&L.
• Participates and works closely with the leadership team to implement strategic goals and guide the direction of the School, meet financial goals, etc.
• Develops the School's academic budget and works with the executive team to review the financials of campus businesses (school, restaurant, brewery, bakery, chocolate shop, etc.) and revise as needed.
• Ongoing building and maintenance of partnerships (regional, throughout the State of Israel, internationally, professionally).
• Works closely with relevant stakeholders to support fundraising.
• Community activist who meets with the local community and helps the GCI become a part of a greater whole.
• Any other tasks directed by their team leader

Experience

• Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years working in culinary education or related context.
• 5+ years of management experience.
• Track record of successful program development in related fields.
• Entrepreneurial/start-up experience in related fields.
• Demonstrated capacity and affinity for culinary storytelling, ethnography, sustainability, and innovative food systems.
• Culinary industry experience to include aspects of the following: previous teaching/training, employment in a variety of professional kitchens with demonstrated capacities from entry-level to management, and R&D for innovative recipes/menu plans, game-changing product creation and launch, etc.
• Comprehensive understanding of business practices, from vision/mission and business plan to marketing, securing investors, distribution, marketing, sales, customer satisfaction, etc.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, strong presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to prioritize tasks and initiatives in project/program management.
• Knowledge of Israel – advantage
• On-site daily starting Q4 of 2023
• High-level English - must
• Hebrew speaker – must

Summary

The Director of the School is a unique position that requires expertise and experience in both educational and business contexts, including strategy, operations, and P&L. It requires an entrepreneurial spirit, a deep sense of accountability, and the capacity to work collaboratively to achieve shared goals.

Deep commitment to:

• Human connection
• Ethic of service
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Supporting success in others
• Cross-functional, no-boundary environment
• Creative problem solving
• Experimentation, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Shared accountability
• Enjoy the experience