What does a Principal do?
A Principal is the head of a school or educational institution. They oversee the day-to-day operations of the school, manage administrative staff and teachers, and create and implement policies that support the academic success of students. A Principal also works with parents and the community to ensure that the school is meeting the needs of its students and providing a safe and inclusive learning environment. They are responsible for developing and implementing educational programs, assessing student progress, and coordinating school events. Overall, a Principal is a key figure in ensuring that a school is running smoothly and that students are receiving a high-quality education.
Our Principal job description includes the Principal responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.
Principal Example
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If you need an example job description for a Principal download the one below, alternatively we have many other Education job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.
What does a Principal do?
A Principal is the most senior staff member at an educational institution. They are responsible for the overall management of the school and its staff, ensuring that the institution meets its educational and financial goals. They are also responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the students, setting the school’s standards, and promoting communication between staff, parents, and the local community. Principals oversee the daily operations of the school, such as curriculum planning and development, budget management, and staff hiring and supervision. They also ensure that the school is compliant with local, state, and federal regulations.
Principal Role Purpose
The principal job role purpose is to provide educational leadership and guidance to the staff, students, and parents of a school or educational institution, in order to ensure the highest possible standards of education are achieved. The principal must provide a vision for the school and promote a positive learning environment to enhance student achievement. They must also ensure that the school is compliant with relevant legislation and regulations, and maintain good relationships with all stakeholders.
Principal Role
Principal is a senior role in an organization responsible for providing leadership, setting strategy and direction, and managing the overall performance and operations.
Principal Duties
- Setting and promoting the school's aims, values and standards
- Leading, managing and developing the school to ensure the highest standards of education
- Ensuring compliance with the school’s legal obligations
- Managing the resources of the school, including staff, and finances
Principal Requirements
- Ability to set and maintain high standards of professional practice and demonstrate leadership
- Ability to think strategically and provide vision and direction to school personnel
- Ability to effectively manage resources, both financial and human
- Ability to promote and foster cooperation among staff, students, parents and community
- Ability to work collaboratively to achieve school goals and objectives
Principal Skills
- Leadership
- Decision Making
- Planning
- Organising
- Communication
- Budget Management
Principal Personal Traits
- Leadership
- Communication
- Organisational
- Interpersonal
How to write a Principal Job Advert
Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.
A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.
Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.
How to write a Principal Job Description
To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.
Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Principal Job Specification
The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.
Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Principal Job Specification
When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:
Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.
Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.
Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.
The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.
Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth.
Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources.
Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.
Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.
Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.
How to Hire a Principal
Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV
