Principal Job Description Template

Principal Job Description

[Intro Paragraph] The beginning of your job description should be a quick overview of the position and what you’re looking for. Principals keep track of teachers, evaluate student progress, and manage the inner day-to-day workings of the school. Be specific about what you’re looking for, so the candidate immediately knows if they’re considering the right position. For example:

We are looking for a dedicated principal to lead our school, supervise our faculty, and ensure students can grow and learn in a safe and nurturing environment. We are a [school type] school that specializes in [area of expertise] education. We are looking for a strong, compassionate leader who has experience setting and enforcing learning opportunities, academic curriculums, and student services that help our kids realize their full potential.

About Our School: Qualified principals can work for a variety of schools, so your next section should be two to three sentences showcasing what makes your educational institution stand out. Highlight the aspects of your company culture and values that will attract great-fit candidates.

Examples include an inclusive work environment, professional development opportunities, and how you recognize or reward successful workers. Principals also look for openings in schools that match their area of interest. If your school specializes in a specific type of education (for example, Montessori), include it here as well.

Principal Job Responsibilities: Next in your principal job description, list the duties you expect the principal to complete on a day-to-day basis. This will help right-fit candidates determine whether the role is a good match and decide whether they want to apply.

Principals typically oversee the school’s daily workings from a variety of angles, but each school will have different requirements. These general responsibilities can be edited to meet your specific needs and should cover most of the bases:

• Ensure all students have access to a constructive learning environment.
• Manage office staff and faculty, ensuring they comply with school rules and regulations.
• Oversee the daily, quarterly, and yearly management of the school curriculum and student activities.
• Ensure proper funding is secured for education and the resources are used and managed effectively.
• Evaluate staff and overall teaching effectiveness to ensure student progress.
• Source and coordinate teacher training opportunities and provide guidance.
• Interview and hire school staff, including teachers, nurses, counselors, and cafeteria and janitorial employees.
• Stay up to date and comply with local, state, and federal education regulations.
• Set and manage school finances while adhering to an agreed-upon budget when investing in new learning tools, technologies, and building upgrades.
• Build rapport with the superintendent and board members and ensure policies and procedures are set and achieved.
• Keep parents up to date and include them in student and school progress and plans.

[Work Hours and Benefits] After listing the main responsibilities in the principal job description, include the typical hours the candidate will work and any benefits they can expect. Explain if the principal will work full- or part-time and if you require them to work weekends, overnight, or summers.

Also list the position’s benefits and perks. Will you offer health, vision, or dental coverage? What about paid time off or flexible work schedules? Show the candidate that your company cares by listing the ways your programs help them lead better lives, such as tuition reimbursement, childcare assistance, and wellness stipends.

Principal Qualifications and Skills: When listing the qualifications and skills you’re looking for, choose a well-rounded representation of your needs. Also, be sure to specify if some of the qualifications mentioned are required or optional so that almost-qualified candidates aren’t discouraged from applying.

List both technical and soft skills that show how well the candidate can supervise and lead your school staff and student body, such as:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Top-notch supervisory and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to effectively communicate with parents, teachers, students, and community leaders.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal education policies and regulations.
• Thorough understanding of how current learning and teaching styles affect education.
• Strong creative thinking and crisis management skills.
• Adept at resolving conflicts quickly and diplomatically.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• A master’s degree in educational leadership or equivalent.
• 5-7 years’ experience as a principal or in a similar role.
• Current teaching license or certification.
• Proven commitment to student welfare and educational excellence.

[Call to Action] All job posts need to end with an effective call to action or candidates might not know what steps to take next or how to apply. Help candidates move along to the next application phase and prevent them from walking away.