Head of Department job description
A head of department leads the teachers of one subject or discipline in a school or college. They set teaching standards, guide the team and answer for results in that subject.
Why the role exists
A subject is only as strong as the person leading it. The head of department plans the syllabus, reviews teaching and results, and mentors staff. In a school they report to the principal or coordinator. In a college they report to the principal or dean and work closely with the examination cell.
What the person does
- Allocate classes and workload among department teachers and agree the plan for the term with the principal.
- Review lesson plans, question papers and marking samples to keep standards even across sections.
- Observe classes or lectures and give each teacher specific written feedback and support.
- Analyse unit test and exam results of the subject and plan remedial work for weak topics.
- Plan practicals, projects, field visits and subject events with lab staff and the coordinator.
- Help recruit, induct and appraise department teachers by joining interviews and demo classes.
- Represent the subject in staff meetings, board or university committees and curriculum reviews.
- Manage the department budget for books, lab material and equipment requests.
Skills and tools
- Deep knowledge of the subject and the board or university syllabus
- Mentoring teachers and giving feedback that is specific and fair
- Reading result data to find weak topics and sections
- Planning practical work, projects and assessments
- Handling disagreements between teachers or with management
- Setting and moderating question papers
- Spreadsheets and school or college ERP reports
- Clear presentation of results to the principal and management
Education and experience
Preferred, never a bar: equivalent experience counts.
- Postgraduate degree in the subject, preferred, with a teaching degree where it applies
- Several years of teaching in the subject, preferred, including senior classes or degree courses
- Earlier experience as a senior teacher, mentor or subject lead, or equivalent experience
- Eligibility conditions for college posts depend on the institution and regulator; confirm with your own adviser
How the work is judged
- Subject results across sections compared with the earlier year and with the school's own goals
- Quality of teaching seen in observations and the support given to weaker teachers
- Syllabus completion and quality of question papers and assessments
- Retention and growth of department teachers
- Smooth running of practicals, projects and subject events
Where the role can lead
- Academic coordinator, vice principal or principal
- Dean or director of studies in a college or university
- Curriculum designer, examiner or teacher trainer
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions in the same order and score them against written anchors, so the decision rests on the work and not the impression.
- Two teachers in your department teach the same class with very different results. What do you do?
- How do you review a question paper before it goes to print?
- Describe a time you improved results in a weak subject. What changed in teaching?
- A senior teacher resists a new method you want to introduce. How do you handle it?
- How would you divide classes among five teachers when one is on long leave?
- How do you balance your own teaching load with leading the department?
Hiring tips for this role
- Do not promote the best teacher by default. Leading adults needs different skills, so test mentoring and conflict handling in the interview.
- Ask for sample results analysis from a past year. A real head of department can explain what the numbers showed and what they did.
- Be clear on teaching load and authority over timetable and appraisal. Heads often leave when the role is leadership in name only.
- For college posts, eligibility depends on the institution and regulator. Confirm it with your own adviser before you shortlist.
Questions about hiring a head of department
Usually yes, since credibility with the team comes from teaching. A lighter load leaves time for observation, results review and planning. State the number of periods in the offer so expectations match.
Yes, and it often brings new methods. The risk is friction with existing staff. Use a panel with current teachers and include a demo class and a results discussion in the process.
A good teacher teaches well. A head of department also improves other teachers, reads results, moderates papers and speaks for the subject to management. Test these in the interview, not only classroom skill.
GullyHR agrees the job description with you, finds and screens candidates for the permanent role and supports the offer. Your principal and panel run the demo sessions and make the final decision.
Hiring a head of department?
GullyHR runs talent acquisition for permanent roles. We agree the job description with you, find and screen candidates against it, and support the offer through to joining. We recruit permanent employees. We do not supply contract or temporary staff.