Dean - School of Baking & Pastry Arts

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $135,000 to $150,000. Hiring offers will be determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience.  The recruiter can share more information about what the anticipated hiring salary would be based upon your specific qualifications during the selection process. 

The CIA offers a substantial benefits package that includes medical coverage available at no cost to qualifying employees, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short and long term disability insurance, retirement savings plan with high employer contributions, a generous paid time off program, and more!

As the benefits package at the CIA results in a significant value above the base hiring salary for this position, we encourage you to apply so that our recruiters can share more information with you about the benefits of working for the CIA.

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Dean of the School of Baking and Pastry Arts serves as the strategic and academic leader for baking and pastry education at the Culinary Institute of America (“CIA”). This position oversees the School at Hyde Park and provides collaborative leadership for programs across all CIA campuses.

The Dean develops and executes a forward-looking educational vision for Baking and Pastry Arts, translating that vision into rigorous, industry-relevant, and innovative learning outcomes. This includes leadership of all curriculum, faculty, and student success initiatives within the School, as well as oversight of instructional, production, and retail operations.

The Dean also oversees all aspects of the Apple Pie Bakery Café, ensuring it functions as a model learning environment that achieves its educational mission while meeting financial goals. As the CIA’s principal authority in baking and pastry education, the Dean advances the School’s reputation nationally and internationally, representing the CIA’s leadership in the future of the craft.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Leadership and Vision
  
  
  
  • Champion the vision and strategic priorities of the School within the broader institutional context.
  
  
  • Lead the School’s strategic planning and implementation, aligning goals with innovation, student success, and industry engagement.
  
  
  • Ensure alignment between Hyde Park and branch campuses, fostering strong two-way communication and academic consistency.
  
  
  • Serve as the CIA’s primary spokesperson for baking and pastry education, representing the School’s mission and achievements to internal and external stakeholders.
  
  
  
  

• Academic Excellence and Innovation
  
  
  
  • Lead curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement across all baking and pastry programs.
  
  
  • Engage with industry partners to identify and integrate emerging trends, technologies, and sustainability practices.
  
  
  • Collaborate with faculty and the Associate Dean to ensure effective program delivery, services, and staffing.
  
  
  • Ensure strong student learning outcomes through active engagement in production, restaurants, and teaching bakeshops.
  
  
  • Oversee student progression and academic standards in collaboration with Admissions and the Registrar.
  
  
  
  

• Operational and Financial Oversight
  
  
  
  • Manage budgets, ingredient ordering, and cost management to ensure efficient and sustainable operations.
  
  
  • Drive the financial and educational performance of the Apple Pie Bakery Café as a living classroom and business enterprise.
  
  
  • Monitor key educational and operational metrics, including retention, performance, and fiscal accountability.
  
  
  • Lead annual budgeting and long-term planning for the School, balancing operational excellence with strategic growth.
  
  
  
  

• Faculty and Student Development
  
  
  
  • Recruit, develop, and retain high-quality faculty dedicated to teaching excellence, scholarship, and professional advancement.
  
  
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement through data-informed feedback, peer learning, and reflective practice.
  
  
  • Support faculty in advancing teaching innovation, applied research, and professional visibility.
  
  
  • Address faculty-student concerns promptly and constructively to ensure a positive learning environment.
  
  
  
  

• Institutional and External Collaboration
  
  
  
  • Partner with other CIA schools and divisions to create interdisciplinary and cross-campus learning opportunities.
  
  
  • Collaborate with Facilities, IT, and other departments to maintain and enhance the learning environment.
  
  
  • Build strategic partnerships with industry, alumni, and academic peers to strengthen the School’s external impact and visibility.
  
  
  
  


• Any and other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFCATIONS

Education:

• Associate’s degree or certificate in baking and pastry arts.


• An earned Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years of progressive senior-level experience in managing a multi-faceted baking and pastry educational program. Equivalent experience in managing a high-level baking and pastry industry operation may be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFCATIONS

• An earned master’s or doctoral degree.


• Record of dissemination of professional expertise and/or scholarship.


• Skilled in digital transformation and educational technology integration, including learning management systems, AI-enhanced learning tools, and data visualization platforms.


•  Deep understanding of curriculum innovation, competency-based education, and experiential learning within higher education.


• Familiarity with modern higher education systems and tools (LMS, CRM, ERP).

REQUIRED SKILLS 

• Demonstrated record of strategic academic and operational leadership, with the ability to inspire, empower, and align diverse teams around shared goals.


• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, fostering a culture of openness, transparency, and collaboration across faculty, staff, and students.


• Proven capacity for data-informed decision-making and performance analytics to drive program quality, student success, and resource optimization.


• Demonstrated ability to embed and assess transferable skills—such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, adaptability, and communication—across all academic programs to prepare students for diverse and evolving career paths.


• Agile and solutions-oriented leadership style, able to manage change, ambiguity, and competing priorities effectively.


• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships with industry, academia, and external stakeholders.


• Strong financial acumen and experience with budget planning, forecasting, and fiscal accountability in academic or operational settings.


• Commitment to continuous improvement and evidence-based academic practices that enhance student engagement, retention, and achievement.


• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and collaborative digital platforms (Teams, SharePoint, etc.).

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to work extended hours, including nights and weekends as befits a senior leadership position with high levels of business needs.


• Regular work requires the use of a computer, many times in excess of eight (8) hours per day.


• Periodic domestic and international travel is required.