Principal Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Principal, or Headmaster, oversees the high-level operations of a school. Their primary duties include creating a safe learning environment, managing the development of curriculum and setting and monitoring performance goals for teachers and students.

 

Build a Job Description
Are you a Job Seeker? Find Jobs

Principal duties and responsibilities

A Principal’s job is to provide academic and administrative leadership at each level of the UK education system. Other duties include:

  • Establishing curriculum guidelines based on the national government’s curricula, setting learning goals and benchmarks for teachers and students 
  • Evaluating teachers, ensuring standardised curriculum guidelines are enforced and identifying weak areas for teacher and student improvement
  • Disciplining students based on school policy and enforcing campus and environmental rules
  • Overseeing budgeting and school logistics operations 
  • Taking part in the hiring and training of teachers and secondary staff members
  • Providing guidance and counselling services to teachers and students on their academic or vocational goals and offering assistance with behavioural modification programs
  • Handling emergencies, school crises, organising sports activities and events

 

Build a Job Description
Are you a Job Seeker? Find Jobs

Principal Job Description Examples:

 

Example 1

Principal Planning Officer - Ref: EE03022

Salary: G10: £38,553 - £43,570 per annum.

Are you ready for a new challenge?

Do you have a passion for local town planning?

If yes, help make a difference by using your knowledge and experience to drive forward improvements and enhancements to the natural, built and historic environment in Walsall.

Welcome to Walsall

Walsall is a regional town with a rich history and a bright future with potential to deliver significant development and investment projects and is working in collaboration with the West Midlands Combined Authority and other public partners to deliver regeneration projects. To support us, the Council has been awarded £11.4m from central government for the Future High Street Fund Programme. So now is the time to join our highly motivated, friendly and valued Planning & Building Control teams. By contributing to our investment in the service, you will be helping us to deliver excellent value to our customers.

The role includes:

· Providing advice in respect of planning and enforcement law, policy and guidance.

· To work effectively under pressure to observe deadlines and work independently and as part of a team.

· Prepare and present the Council’s case at relevant appeal procedures including public inquiries.

· Deal with a varied caseload of planning and enforcement work.

· Assisting the Team Leader to review and sign off reports for other members of the team

About you:

· You will need to be a qualified Town Planner and have a full driving license and access to a vehicle for carrying out site visits

· Demonstrate excellent IT skills especially the use of MS Office

· You must be able to demonstrate significant development management and enforcement experience

· Have excellent communication and customer service skills

We are committed to attracting and retaining the very best staff and utilising all the talent and experience available. As such, we recognise the importance of helping our employees balance their work and home life by offering flexible working arrangements that enable them to balance their working life with other priorities.

What Benefits can we offer?

· Flexible working hours

· Blended working from home/office

· Car mileage allowance

· Support for employee learning and career development.

· Membership of Local Government Pension Scheme

· Generous annual leave and flexi leave entitlement plus Bank Holidays

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sectors of the community.

For further information and details of how to apply please contact Mike Brereton, Group Manager Planning on 01922 654753

Closing Date for applications: Wednesday 13th July 2022

You will be also be expected to meet the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty. The post is politically restricted.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £38,553.00-£43,570.00 per year

Benefits:
  • Flexible schedule
  • Flexitime
  • Work from home
    Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday

    Application deadline: ID: EE03022
    • Show less 
    Show more 

    Example 2

    We are seeking to recruit an individual who has experience working in the rail industry to deliver initiatives focused on customer service and improving service quality, including in response to contractual incentives and/or industry-wide and regulatory initiatives. Our exciting, high-profile long-term commissions include advising clients on the design and implementation of the future reformed rail industry in Great Britain following the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail.
    The candidate should demonstrate an understanding of what customers need and expect from rail services, previous incentive/regulatory mechanisms used to encourage good standards of customer service and initiatives for improving service quality on the railway. They should be experienced in managing clients and customer-focused workstreams or projects in the rail sector. The role will require the individual to be numerate, work in teams to solve complex problems and clearly communicate findings to clients.
    Requirements

  • Provide strategic, commercial and technical advice to clients in the rail sector
  • Project Manager for rail projects
  • Lead on report writing and presentations, coordinating technical input from others
  • Lead on developing client relationships with policy and regulatory bodies in the rail sector as well as train operators
  • Lead the development of high-quality proposals to win work
  • Manage, supervise, coach and act as a role model for more junior members of the team
  • Broaden and develop their own expertise and skill set to align with the needs of our clients

  • Direct experience of managing resources and projects focused on customer service in the rail industry
  • Understanding of the GB Rail industry and the current reform programme more generally
  • Proven track record in clear and effective written and oral communication, including presenting to senior industry leaders
  • Solid analytical and technical skills in customer service, e.g. monitoring customer feedback and targeting investment to deliver improvements
  • Experience developing client relationships or working client-side
  • Experience in managing or coaching junior staff
  • Ability to work collaboratively in high-performing teams

    Benefits
    We are Steer, and we help people, places, and economies thrive. Founded in 1978, Steer is a global business consultancy specialising in transport, cities and infrastructure, with over 450 staff in over 20 offices around the world.
    At Steer, we are passionately committed to delivering success for our clients, for ourselves and in the communities in which we work. A commitment that helps improve infrastructure, cities and transport, and ultimately the way people live, work and travel.
    We offer a flexible approach to work and believe in empowering our people and giving them the opportunities to shine.

    The team you will be joining is based across our three UK offices in London, Leeds and Manchester. In addition, there will be opportunities to work with colleagues based in our offices overseas, particularly in North America. Our social and cultural responsibilities form an important part of our culture and values. We believe that actions speak louder than words, and therefore have annual measurable targets across all social impact areas, particularly EDI and sustainability. This year we are delighted to have won the 'Best Graduate Programme' award from Women in Rail and our senior staff offer mentoring support to Women in Transport. We have also committed to successfully operate as a Net Zero Carbon company by 2025.
    We offer a competitive package of benefits including private medical insurance and health screening, life assurance, group income protection, company pension scheme, EAP, ability to buy and sell annual leave days, Season Ticket Loan, Share Incentive Plan, up to 5 days for volunteering activities and a discretionary bonus scheme.
    Steer is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications regardless of age, race, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity or gender. Part-time and flexible working applications will be Type: Full-time
    • Show less 
    Show more 

    Example 3

    Assistant Principal – Quality & Student Experience (College Group)

    College location: East Surrey College (Redhill) and John Ruskin College (Croydon)

    Salary: £60,000-£65,000 (Subject to qualifications, skills and experience)

    Hours: Full time (37 hours/week)

    This is an exciting, challenging and truly rewarding role as part of the College’s Directorate and reporting to the Board of Governors. You will take the strategic lead on teaching and learning, the development, implementation and monitoring of quality improvement, quality assurance processes and procedures across Orbital South Colleges.

    Reporting to the College’s Group Principal, you will strategically drive the development of innovative approaches to teaching, learning and assessment (TLA) and support new blended and remote models of delivery using a wide range of technology. You will work closely with the Director of Teacher Development & Training, which this role line manages, to monitor and report upon the quality of TLA and to make recommendations for continuous development and sharing of good practice. You will take specific accountability for further developing the quality strategy, assurance and improvement, for the vocational programmes including Apprenticeships, Adults and Sub-contracted Provision.

    You will be required to lead the College’s Self-Assessment and Improvement Plan, reporting progress at Board level, as well as continuous quality improvement culture of the Orbital South Colleges, promoting inspirational teaching, training and learning to ensure all students and apprentices have an exceptional learning experience. Therefore your expertise will be instrumental in acting as or supporting the College nominee(s) for Ofsted inspection or other quality assurance activities.

    The successful candidate must have:
  • A Full Teaching Qualification, and a relevant Degree or equivalent professional qualification
  • Experience of successfully managing a team (ideally within a multi- site organisation)
  • Significant experience of leading and managing a mature quality assurance system within an FE context
  • In depth working knowledge of Awarding bodies such as City & Guilds and Pearson and their qualification frameworks
  • In depth knowledge of quality improvement frameworks, regulations and recent Government policy on skills, FE, HE and Apprenticeships
  • Ability to produce databases, spreadsheets and desktop published documents
  • Demonstrable experience of analysing and interpreting complex data
  • Ability to work at high speed and prioritise against a demanding work-load and under significant times pressures
  • Knowledge of teaching and learning issues within a variety of curriculum areas
  • Exceptional organisational, communication and interpersonal skills

    If this sounds like you and you will enjoy working in a forward thinking, friendly, fast paced, changing environment with state of the art facilities, we would love to hear from you. In return, we offer a competitive salary, as well as staff benefits such a choice of two excellent pension schemes, a brilliant holiday package, free onsite parking and access to our fully equipped gym along with discounted in house Spa and Salon treatments.

    *Applications will be shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview and appoint before this closing date. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment. As much as we would love to respond to all applicants, due to the sheer volume of applications we receive we are unable to respond to all unsuccessful candidates. If you have not heard from us within 14 days of sending your CV, unfortunately you have not been selected for the position.

    Orbital South Colleges Group are committed to Equal Opportunities, encouraging applications from all sectors of the community to reflect our diverse student population. We are also committed to Prevent and Safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Both College Campus’ are smoke-free zones.

    As part of our pre-employment checks, successful candidates will be required to complete an enhanced DBS, references will be taken and evidence of all qualifications and awards will also be required before commencement of employment. Failure to do so may lead to offers being withdrawn.

    Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK as we do not sponsor work permits, and work permits from other organisations are unacceptable as proof of right to work in the UK.

    Job Type: Full-time

    Salary: £60,000.00-£65,000.00 per year

    Benefits:
  • Company pension
  • Gym membership
  • On-site parking
    Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift
  • Monday to ID: OSC - AP
    • Show less 
    Show more 

    What does a Principal do?

    Principals supervise the educational staff, teachers, counsellors and keep track of student performance. They enforce and monitor school policies and safety procedures to provide a safe environment whilst planning regular maintenance of school grounds and equipment. A Principal supports teaching over paperwork and provides teachers and students with the most current materials and resources to promote a learning experience that is more enjoyable, leading-edge and relevant. Principals also implement all administrative tasks and remain a source of inspiration to the educational staff.

     

    Principal skills and qualifications

    Generating enthusiasm and creating a learning-friendly environment for students and teachers are some of the vital skills that a Principal must develop. Other essential skills they must have include:

    • Communication, organisational and presentation skills
    • Quick decision-making while under pressure 
    • Leadership skills and the ability to nurture leadership in others
    • Skilful at delegating management duties and focusing more time on improving and supervising instruction, as well as identifying and improving areas of weakness 
    • Ability to conduct research, write reports and use the information to foster school improvements   
    • Ability to identify new educational resources, materials and curriculum
    • Qualified teacher status (QTS) to teach in a state school
    • Maintain relationships with the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted), regulatory inspectors and other government officials

     

    Principal experience requirements

    Principals typically begin as teachers and obtain at least one to five years of experience in teaching prior to becoming a school principal. Experience in an assistant principal or administrative position is not always required, but it demonstrates candidates are familiar with the administrative skills and requirements necessary to run a school successfully.  

     

    Principal education and training requirements

    Principals must have at least a master’s degree or doctorate degree in an area of educational leadership or education administration. They must also have a valid teacher’s licence and the required number of years of experience. Also required are specific qualifications, such as the National Professional Qualification for Headship and the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership. 

     

    Principal salary expectations

    According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Principal is £48,285 per year. This figure varies depending on several factors, including the experience, geographical location and school. 

     

    Job description samples for similar positions

    Other job description samples are available if this is not quite what you’re looking for:

     

    Ready to Hire? Build a Job Description

    Principal job description FAQs

     

    Who reports to a Principal?

    Teachers and all educational and administrative staff report to the Principal. Club organisers and all department heads such as coaches, health workers, cafeteria, maintenance, janitors, transportation and groundsmen directly report to the Principal. All security personnel report to the Principal as well. 

     

    How can you make your Principal job description stand out?

    To make your Principal job description stand out, make sure to open with an attention-grabbing summary and mention what makes your school unique. State the exact location of the school, so it appears higher in a job search. Outline responsibilities using bullets and give information on how the position interacts with other staff and the quality goals of the school.

     

    What is the difference between a School Social Worker and a School Counsellor?

    A School Social Worker goes out into the community and creates relationships between the community, home and school. For them, the goal is to help a child get credit for school while they surpass obstacles. A School Counsellor works onsite with students and provides information to the Social Worker.

     

    What should you look for in a Principal CV?

    Besides a master or doctorate degree, make sure the candidate holds a teacher’s licence and has the required years of experience. Also, look for successful budget implementation. Other information you must look for in a candidate include a proven track record in teacher evaluations, teacher and education improvements and maintaining high academic standards. 

    Job Description Examples

    A-C D-H I-L M-P Q-S T-Z
    No search results found

      *Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.