JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Head of Careers
REPORTS TO: Principal
1) Strategic Direction & Quality Assurance
1. Lead the department’s strategy, aligning with the School Development Plan and completing annual departmental self-evaluation.
2. Implement the NI Careers Strategy quality indicators and maintain up-to-date departmental policies, handbooks, and schemes of work.
3. Ensure consistent assessment and internal standardisation; review schemes annually and share with VP (Curriculum).
4. Promote careers as a cross-curricular theme, collaborating with other departments and external agencies.
5. Prepare agendas, chair department meetings, keep accurate minutes, and represent the department at HoD meetings.
6. Contribute to whole‑school decision-making and ad hoc working parties; maintain strong links with the Pastoral team (VP Care & Support, SENCO, HoYs).
7. Ensure relevant careers content is available on the school website/VLE and future platforms.
2) Teaching, Learning & Curriculum
8. Design and resource a coherent, progressive employability and careers programme.
9. Ensure high-quality teaching, differentiation, and appropriate pedagogy at all levels; monitor standards using pupil data.
10. Embed literacy, numeracy, and ICT skills through collaboration with area coordinators.
11. Develop pupils’ independence, collaboration, critical thinking and transferable skills valued by employers.
12. Ensure targeted support for pupils who need it; liaise with SENCO and key staff.
13. Oversee assessment (classwork, homework, tests, exams/coursework), ensuring validity, moderation, and use of outcomes to improve practice.
14. Lead internal assessment setting/marking/moderation and any required elements of external exams.
15. Enhance learning via extra‑curricular activities (clubs, events, projects, field trips) and ensure pupils/staff are aware of current LMI, particularly at options milestones.
3) Leadership & People Management
16. Promote CPD and keep the team up to date with CEIAG developments; disseminate best practice.
17. Support ITT/Beginning Teachers/EPD colleagues; encourage innovation and imaginative curriculum design.
18. Oversee departmental communications and contributions to Open Nights/Devenish Day and school literature (prospectus, curriculum booklets).
19. Foster staff wellbeing; build a strong team culture.
20. Observe lessons regularly, provide feedback, and support improvements in teaching quality.
21. Assist with behaviour, work, homework, and coursework issues as needed.
22. Monitor delegated responsibilities; act as PRSD reviewer per Board of Governors’ guidelines.
23. Enable access to internal/external INSET and ensure feedback is shared.
24. Collaborate with other HoDs to raise teaching quality and outcomes; liaise with the Principal and line manager.
4) Resources, Operations & Compliance
25. Advise on HR needs; assist with recruitment of departmental staff when required.
26. Plan timetabling/staffing with VP (Curriculum) and Principal, deploying expertise effectively and supporting colleagues’ professional growth.
27. Conduct annual resource audits; submit budget/resource needs aligned to the development plan.
28. Maintain high standards of rooms, displays, equipment; keep an inventory and ensure secure storage.
29. Display departmental work in public areas where appropriate.
30. Develop and implement a department Health & Safety policy aligned with school policy; maintain risk assessments (with VP Care & Support).
31. Provide prudent stewardship of accommodation and equipment.
5) CEIAG-Specific & Stakeholder Engagement
32. Manage and support the Careers Officer to ensure impartial advice for pupils.
33. Lead FE/HE and UCAS processes; ensure timely, high-quality applications.
34. Oversee work experience: liaise with EA, employers, and prepare pupils.
35. Analyse destination data (internal/external), report annually to Principal/VP, and recommend strategies to address gaps and extend strengths.
36. Deliver parent presentations on CEIAG; meet pupils/parents on request to discuss careers/education pathways.
37. Build links with industry, professional bodies, employers, and HEIs; host university/employer visits and arrange pupil visits to universities and careers events.
38. Organise career-focused events (e.g., interview skills days, careers fairs).
39. Support pupils’ Personal Career Plans, provide guidance at key transition points (Years 10, 12, 13, 14), and assist with applications to education, training, and employment.
40. Prepare pupils for interviews.
41. Play an active role in the Fermanagh Learning Community Careers subgroup.
42. Be available in mid‑August to support pupils finalising university choices after results.
Key Outcomes
43. A coherent, compliant, and high-impact CEIAG programme embedded across the curriculum.
44. High-quality teaching and consistent assessment leading to strong pupil outcomes and positive destinations.
45. Robust data use for improvement; effective stakeholder relationships with parents, employers, HEIs, and external bodies.
46. A well-led, well-supported team and safe, well‑resourced learning environment.