Job Specification The Role of a Head Instructor

🎯 Role Definition

At its core, the Head Instructor is the chief academic and cultural leader of the instructional team. This individual is not only an expert in their subject matter but also a master pedagogue, responsible for shaping the learning experience, mentoring a team of instructors, and ensuring the curriculum is effective, engaging, and aligned with industry demands. They act as the bridge between educational strategy and classroom execution, driving student outcomes and upholding the highest standards of teaching and learning. This role is central to our mission, requiring a unique blend of technical mastery, inspirational leadership, and a profound commitment to student growth.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Instructor / Lead Instructor
Curriculum Developer
Corporate Training Manager

Advancement To:

Director of Education
Head of Learning & Development
Program Director

Lateral Moves:

Instructional Design Manager
Senior Curriculum Architect

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead, mentor, and manage a team of instructors, conducting regular performance evaluations, providing actionable feedback, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
Oversee the end-to-end delivery of all educational programs, ensuring instructional quality, consistency, and student engagement across all cohorts and learning modalities.
Act as the lead subject matter expert, teaching advanced modules, delivering capstone lectures, and serving as the final point of escalation for complex student inquiries.
Direct the continuous development and iteration of the curriculum, incorporating student feedback, instructor insights, and emerging industry trends to maintain relevance and effectiveness.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for instructional quality and student success, such as graduation rates, student satisfaction (NPS), and post-program career outcomes.
Develop and implement comprehensive onboarding and professional development programs for all instructional staff, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary technical and pedagogical skills.
Manage instructor scheduling, resource allocation, and classroom assignments to optimize the learning environment and ensure adequate student support.
Champion a positive, inclusive, and challenging classroom culture that motivates students and fosters a deep sense of community and belonging.
Personally handle and resolve the most sensitive student issues, including academic performance challenges, code of conduct violations, and personal hardships, with empathy and professionalism.
Review and approve all instructional materials, including lesson plans, projects, assessments, and supplementary resources, to guarantee they meet established quality standards.
Host regular "train-the-trainer" sessions to standardize teaching methodologies and disseminate best practices across the instructional team.
Collaborate with Product and Engineering teams to provide expert feedback on the learning platform and educational tools, advocating for features that enhance the student and instructor experience.
Serve as a key spokesperson for the academic program, confidently representing the curriculum and student experience to prospective students, corporate partners, and at industry events.
Systematically observe classroom sessions (both virtual and in-person) to provide direct, constructive coaching to instructors on their delivery, classroom management, and student interaction.
Analyze student performance data and feedback to identify learning gaps and proactively implement targeted interventions and supplemental support programs.

Secondary Functions

Collaborate with the admissions team to interview and technically vet prospective students, ensuring a high-quality and motivated incoming class.
Partner with the career services team to align the curriculum with employer demands and provide insights that aid in student job placement.
Contribute thought leadership content, such as blog posts, white papers, or webinars, that showcases the organization's expertise in the field.
Manage the academic budget, including expenses for instructional tools, software licenses, and professional development activities.
Develop and maintain a comprehensive knowledge base and documentation for instructors, standardizing procedures and best practices.
Organize and lead community-building events like hackathons, guest speaker series, and networking nights to enrich the student experience beyond the core curriculum.
Participate in strategic planning sessions with senior leadership to shape the long-term vision and roadmap for the organization's educational offerings.
Build and maintain relationships with key industry partners and subject matter experts to create opportunities for guest lectures and curriculum advisory.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep Subject Matter Expertise in a relevant technical or creative field (e.g., Full-Stack Web Development, Data Science, UX/UI Design, Cybersecurity).
Advanced Instructional Design and Curriculum Development principles.
Proficiency in Adult Learning Theory and modern pedagogical techniques.
Experience with Learning Management System (LMS) administration and educational technology platforms.
Competency in analyzing educational data and performance metrics to drive decision-making.
Technical vetting and interviewing skills for assessing candidate and instructor proficiency.

Soft Skills

Inspirational Leadership and Team Management: The ability to motivate, develop, and guide a team of educators.
Public Speaking and Dynamic Presentation: Engaging and clear communication in front of diverse audiences of all sizes.
Empathy and Advanced Mentorship: A genuine passion for helping students and instructors overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
Conflict Resolution and Crisis Management: The composure and skill to de-escalate sensitive situations effectively.
Strategic Planning and Execution: The foresight to plan for future program needs and the ability to implement those plans successfully.
Exceptional Written and Verbal Communication: Articulating complex ideas with clarity, precision, and professionalism.
Stakeholder Management: Effectively collaborating with internal teams (Admissions, Career Services, Marketing) and external partners.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree in Education, Instructional Design, Adult Learning, or a related technical discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Computer Science / Engineering
Education / Instructional Technology
Adult Learning Theory

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5-8 years of progressive experience combining subject matter expertise with teaching, training, or educational leadership.

Preferred:

At least 2-3 years of direct experience managing, mentoring, or leading a team of instructors or trainers.
A proven track record of developing or significantly contributing to the iteration of a technical or skills-based curriculum.
Experience teaching and mentoring adult learners in an intensive, fast-paced learning environment (e.g., bootcamps, corporate training).
Demonstrable experience in public speaking, such as delivering conference talks, workshops, or keynote presentations.