Position Summary:

CCAE is seeking a talented, full-time Program Director, Food & Wine to manage and build the educational curriculum for the Food & Wine department.  The candidate should have 3-5 years of relevant experience, ideally in an educational institution as well as a background in or a passion for food and wine. This position will also be responsible for the smaller Business & Technology and Science & Nature curriculum.

The program director oversees classes, lectures and workshops for our Food & Wine, Business & Tech and Science & Nature divisions as well as organizes the day to day management of CCAE’s kitchen, including inventory management.

Candidates need to demonstrate an understanding of food/wine and how these subjects are taught to adults whose skills range from beginners to professional.

CCAE seeks candidates with a collaborative work style; excellent administrative skills; excellent writing and verbal communication skills; and a track record of delivering results in a complex and fun workplace.

Our Program Director will combine high energy, great integrity and commitment to public service with a sense of humor.  This candidate will work independently and collaboratively, exercising excellent judgment while respecting and inspiring our students, teachers and administrative staff.

Job Responsibilities:

The Program Director’s responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Ensuring that current course offerings meet students’ needs – noting areas that are not currently addressed, areas where the CCAE may have more courses than optimal, areas that need to be strengthened, and opportunities for new directions;
• Serving as the primary liaison for teachers in the Food & Wine department, the program director supports outstanding teaching by attracting and retaining excellent teachers.  This person seeks teacher input and suggestions; and provides feedback and guidance as needed;
• Managing the cooking class assistants’ program, the program director ensures that our cooking class instructors are supported by an assistant during the class when needed.
• Developing descriptive text for programming used in our catalog and website including but not limited to course descriptions, teacher biographies and scheduling information;
• Communicating with instructors about private cooking class inquiries and custom classes;
• Managing the CCAE kitchen and working closely with the Maintenance team, maintaining kitchen pantry and kitchen appliances;
• Working with the Finance Office, executing hiring agreements and other administrative matters (i.e., payroll, requesting classroom set ups; reporting facility problems, etc.);
• Developing a command of CCAE’s registration system, data management practices and budgeting related to specific program areas: and contributing ongoing efforts to enhance current spaces, equipment and systems to support our students and teachers;
• Researching competitive information to determine how CCAE can best differentiate our offering from programs of other nonprofit culinary organizations offering classes.

 Skills and Qualifications:

•       Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years’ work experience, preferably in related field(s).
•       Excellent organizational and communication skills, ability to multi-task, extreme attention to detail, and strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
•       Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to build relationships with teachers and students.
•       Some teaching experience or experience in an educational and/or nonprofit environment a plus.
•       Strong computer skills, proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel.
•       Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing requests while maintaining a collegial friendly attitude.
•       Self-starter, ability to work independently and in a team.

Typical work week is Monday to Friday mainly 9-5, with occasional work on nights and/or weekends during peak weeks of activity. This is currently a hybrid position that requires 3-4 days per week in person.

Compensation

Salary range:  $59,000- 64,000 -- commensurate with experience.  Benefits include health insurance, paid vacation days, holidays, sick days and personal days, and free tuition.