Job Description

Head of Practical Arts

Permanent contract /Abu Dhabi


Les Roches Global Hospitality Education, in the top 3 for Employer Reputation of Hospitality & Leisure Management graduates by the QS World University Ranking, is a brand of the Sommet Education Group. Founded in 1954, Les Roches is a private institution based on the Swiss model of experiential learning, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of hospitality, tourism and event management. Les Roches prepares entrepreneurial and innovative graduates across a global network of campuses in Crans-Montana (Switzerland), Marbella (Spain) and Shanghai (China).


You share our values: Development, Distinctiveness, Joint commitment, Openness and Sense of service.


Les Roches, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, is opening a world-class hospitality management academy in Abu Dhabi in September 2024. As part of the pre-opening preparations of the Les Roches Abu Dhabi campus, we are recruiting a Head of Practical Arts .


The Head of Practical Arts manages all aspects of the Bachelor's 1st semester' teaching activities including food and beverage and rooms division practical courses. This will include monitoring course content and organization, course delivery, overall quality of the workshops and overall student experience. In conjunction with the operational staff and practical arts faculty, the Head organizes the workshops so that they are aligned with production and distribution needs. The Head oversees all aspects of pedagogy as well as he/she ensures a five-star service level in all areas. The Head of practical arts will also be responsible for procurement of items required for the practical arts subjects as well as the broader food and beverage requirements of the campus. Her/his mission requires excellent academic and pedagogic knowledge, excellent leadership skills, and solid organizational skills. The Head of Practical Arts works in close partnership with the Academic Dean, the Program Directors and the Practical Arts Instructors.

Education, Experience and Skills Required:

• PhD or Master's Degree preferred. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree with significant industry experience and experience teaching in higher education may be considered.
• A mandatory minimum of 5 years of experience in a recognized school.
• Performing one or more of the following activities: teaching, designing and creating content, leading a group of faculties in a specific operational domain, student coaching and mentoring, etc.
• If possible, managerial experience in an hotel school, in charge of various faculties and/or staff.
• Budget responsibilities: design and management.
• Experience in the hospitality industry a plus.
• Recognized by his/her peers and the industry as an expert in her/his field.
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills, in an industry and academic setting.
• Strong technical expertise, capable of delivering the best operational and academic quality.
• Strong academic potential and interest.
• Capable of interacting with students, parents, and a variety of stakeholders.
• Strong managerial and leadership skills.
• Strong work ethics and professional rigor.
• Does not compromise on quality at all levels.
• Excellent technical expertise (hospitality related).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both F and E.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an international environment.

The key responsibilities are:

• Design the BBA 1st semester according to the overall program needs and
• learning outcomes, considering human, facilities, and operational constraints.
• Lead and manage a team to deliver an outstanding academic and operational experience.
• Design the workshops in cooperation with Instructors and allocate resources accordingly.
• Review course material, content, monitor LMS platform & platform structure & organization.
• Procurement of items required for the practical arts subjects as well as the broader food and beverage requirements of the campus.
• Ensure courses run smoothly from a logistics and organizational point of view.

Monitor delivery, grading, and exam invigilation.
• Organizes the program's field trips including those for HOS P802 Hospitality Discovery Experience in the Emirates and reviews them constantly.
• Monitors the field trips (5 to 10 (2-week) field trips per semester).
• Held regular meetings with students and students' representatives to collect feedback from program content and delivery, adapt program accordingly whenever possible.
• Review and update overall BBA1 program based on students' feedback.

Organize, and facilitate BBA1 program's Guest Speaker weeks linked to latest trends in the industry and new practices.
• Oversees the students' academic achievements and chair the progression panel.

Train and develop existing and new staff and Instructor as needed