Foreground is proudly supporting one of the leading learning academies in Saudi Arabia in the establishment of its new Hospitality and Culinary Education division. As part of this strategic expansion, we are partnering with them to appoint a Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development Hospitality & Culinary Education to spearhead the launch, growth, and commercial success of this new business line.

Role Overview

This is a founding leadership role, responsible for building the Hospitality and Culinary division from the ground up. The Director will oversee facility development, forge global academic and industry partnerships, and drive the strategic and commercial growth of the division. The focus is on business development, partnerships, operational setup, and commercial performance, rather than academic curriculum creation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end establishment of the Hospitality and Culinary Education division, including facility specifications (kitchens, classrooms, operational infrastructure).
• Develop and execute a strategic partnership plan to secure alliances with leading international hospitality and culinary institutions, especially in Switzerland, France, and Europe.
• Source and implement international curricula and educational programs through strategic partnerships not through in-house curriculum development.
• Build and manage a specialized team to deliver high-quality, industry-relevant training programs.
• Establish strong corporate relationships to drive program sponsorships, internships, and employment pathways.
• Lead business development initiatives to drive enrollment growth, corporate engagement, and revenue generation.
• Represent the Academy at major industry forums, exhibitions, and corporate networking events.
• Work closely with the executive team to ensure alignment with the Academys overall vision and commercial objectives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in the hospitality or culinary sector, with strong emphasis on operational leadership, business development, and strategic partnership building.
• Proven ability to launch or expand business units, particularly in hospitality or education-related sectors.
• Strong international network with hospitality, culinary schools, or global industry organizations.
• Experience setting up facilities, managing operational needs, and executing strategic growth initiatives.
• Experience in Saudi Arabia or the GCC is preferred; UAE-based candidates will also be considered.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to lead projects from concept to operational reality.
• Fluent in English; Arabic language skills are a strong advantage.
• Commercially driven, relationship-oriented, and passionate about building future talent pipelines in hospitality and culinary arts.