Academic Manager

Academic Manager

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Type: Full-time | On-site

International Culinary Studio is seeking an experienced Academic Manager to provide academic leadership and ensure the integrity, quality, and compliance of all programmes delivered by the organisation.

This is a senior role with end-to-end accountability for academic quality assurance, regulatory compliance, programme development, and student academic experience. The Academic Manager is the organisation’s primary authority for academic quality and engagement with regulators and accreditation partners.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development, review, and continuous improvement of academic programmes
• Ensuring compliance with NZQA, TEC, and international accreditation requirements
• Managing programme approvals, changes, renewals, and audit readiness
• Leading moderations, consistency reviews, self-reviews, and EER processes
• Owning and maintaining the Quality Management System (QMS)
• Leading and supporting academic delivery staff, including Chef Instructors
• Ensuring consistent teaching quality, assessment practice, and learner outcomes
• Overseeing student academic experience and academic-related feedback
• Providing academic reporting and contributing to continuous improvement
• Acting as the primary academic liaison with regulators and industry partners

Skills and experience: Essential

• Senior experience in academic leadership within tertiary or vocational education
• Strong working knowledge of NZQA and TEC requirements
• Proven experience managing a Quality Management System
• Experience leading audits, EERs, and academic compliance activities
• Strong leadership, organisational, and stakeholder engagement skills

Desirable

• Experience with online or blended learning delivery
• Experience with international accreditation bodies
• Hospitality or culinary education experience

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role in a globally recognised culinary education organisation, with real influence over academic quality, compliance, and direction.