Department Head – Hospitality & Industry Partnerships | Leading Education Group Launching a New Institution Focused on Applied Careers

A leading education group is launching a new institution focused on applied careers, designed to prepare students through industry-integrated, employment-oriented education. Offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across Hospitality, Business, and Wellness, the institution is committed to creating graduates who are industry-ready from day one.

We are looking for an experienced leader to head the Department of Hospitality & Industry Partnerships. This is a unique opportunity to build an industry-connected hospitality school that prepares students for careers across hospitality, tourism, luxury, events, and experience-led industries.

Role Purpose

The Department Head – Hospitality & Industry Partnerships will provide academic leadership while building strong relationships with employers and industry partners. The role combines academic excellence with industry engagement to ensure students gain practical exposure through internships, apprenticeships, live industry projects, and outstanding placement opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Leadership

• Support curriculum implementation aligned with industry requirements.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop high-performing faculty members.
• Drive teaching quality and academic excellence across programmes.
• Ensure strong student learning outcomes and academic performance.

Industry Engagement

• Build and strengthen relationships with leading hospitality brands, hotel groups, tourism companies, luxury brands, and experience-driven organizations.
• Develop internship opportunities that provide meaningful industry exposure.
• Establish apprenticeship partnerships with leading employers.
• Introduce live industry projects and experiential learning initiatives in collaboration with corporate partners.

Employability & Career Development

• Build a strong placement pipeline across hospitality and allied industries.
• Develop and nurture relationships with recruiters and hiring partners.
• Organize career fairs, employer engagement events, and networking sessions.
• Expand the institution’s employer network to maximize student career opportunities.

Programme Development

• Identify emerging trends within the hospitality, tourism, and experience economy.
• Recommend new specializations and industry-focused programmes.
• Support the development of experiential learning initiatives that enhance graduate readiness.

External Relations

• Represent the institution at hospitality conferences, industry forums, and professional associations.
• Build strategic partnerships with hotels, luxury brands, tourism organizations, and industry bodies.
• Position the institution as a preferred destination for hospitality education and industry collaboration.

Ideal Candidate

• 10–15 years of leadership experience in hospitality education or the hospitality industry.
• Strong academic leadership or operational leadership experience within hospitality.
• Well-established employer network across hospitality, tourism, luxury, or related sectors.
• Proven experience building internship programmes, industry partnerships, and placement ecosystems.
• Passion for experiential learning and industry-integrated education.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and leadership skills.

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