"Founding Dean, School of Tourism, Hospitality & Culinary Arts"

Job Details

ACG invites nominations and applications for the position of Founding Dean of the School of Tourism, Hospitality & Culinary Arts — an opportunity to build a world­class academic enterprise from the ground up in one of the world’s most dynamic tourism destinations.

The Founding Dean will shape a bold, innovative, and globally distinctive School that integrates academic rigor, professional excellence, and industry engagement at a level not previously realized in Greece. The School is being established in strategic collaboration with one of Europe’s most prominent tourism and hospitality enterprises, which is contributing unparalleled access to high­end facilities, professional training environments, industry insight, and destination­development expertise. This collaboration positions the School to become an international hub for hospitality excellence.

The Founding Dean will serve as the School’s chief architect and ambassador, driving its academic strategy, building its programs and partnerships, recruiting outstanding faculty, and attracting high­potential students from Greece and around the world.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Vision & Academic Leadership

• Lead the creation of a bold academic vision for a School designed to stand among the most innovative hospitality institutions globally. Develop high­quality undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs grounded in academic rigor, sustainability, and experiential learning. Build a distinctive academic identity reflecting Greece’s position as a global tourism powerhouse. Establish academic frameworks, policies, and quality assurance processes consistent with ACG standards.

Industry Collaboration & External Partnerships

• Deepen and operationalize the strategic collaboration with a major international tourism and hospitality enterprise. Forge partnerships with leading hospitality schools and global industry networks. Represent the School to industry, government, and philanthropic stakeholders. Develop advisory structures ensuring market­relevant program design.

Founding Leadership & Organizational Development

• Recruit, mentor, and lead outstanding faculty. Build administrative and operational infrastructure, including governance, budgeting, accreditation, and student support. Shape the School’s footprint across Athens and Kalamata, including program delivery and industry engagement. Lead strategic enrollment planning to attract diverse, high­achieving student cohorts.

Innovation, Impact & Thought Leadership

• Position the School as a thought leader on sustainable tourism, culinary innovation, and hospitality management. Encourage applied and interdisciplinary research. Promote innovative teaching models, including digital and experiential formats. Advance a culture of inclusion, collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Terminal degree in hospitality, tourism, business, or related discipline; or equivalent professional distinction.
• Successful academic leadership experience.
• Experience launching or transforming academic programs.
• Proven capacity to develop and steward strategic partnerships.
• Experience supervising faculty and managing academic quality.
• Experience managing complex budgets and resources.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Appointment Process & How to Apply

An executive search exercise is being undertaken by Perrett Laver to assist the recruitment committee at the American College of Greece. For inquiries about the role, please contact Boris Evenhuis at Boris.Evenhuis@perrettlaver.com.

A detailed candidate brochure outlining the full scope of the role, institutional context, and responsibilities is available for download via the Perrett Laver website.

Applications should be submitted via https://plusportal.perrettlaver.com/ quoting reference 8249.

The closing date for formal applications is Monday, February 23, 2026, at 10:00 EET.

Applications should consist of:

• Cover letter
• Current CV
• Contact information (name, e-mail address, and telephone number) for at least three persons who can provide a professional reference.