What does a curriculum director do?
Curriculum director responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real curriculum director resumes:
- Assist in maintaining DOD certification and assist in achieving and retaining national accreditation.
- Create and deliver differentiate instruction for ESL students at the school.
- Increase state assessment (FCAT) mathematics scores by one grade level by implementing effective research-base math programs and data-driven meetings.
- Provide course instruction for advance anatomy and physiology, medical terminology and HIPAA.
- Develop requirements for educational statistics and geometry software.
Curriculum director skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Curriculum Directors are proficient in Classroom Management, Curriculum Development, and Professional Development Workshops. They’re also known for soft skills such as Problem-solving skills, Communication skills, and Decision-making skills.
We break down the percentage of Curriculum Directors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Classroom Management, 16%
Worked with teachers to ensure good classroom management techniques.
- Curriculum Development, 10%
Supervised entire curriculum development, assessment and staff development for 7 schools
- Professional Development Workshops, 6%
Promoted professional improvement by researching innovative learning techniques and leading professional development workshops and activities.
- K-12, 6%
Supervised the development, implementation and performance of the K-12 curriculum and coordinated efforts of curriculum committees.
- Mathematics, 5%
Used data analysis consistently to target identified students for sustained reading and mathematics instruction.
- Staff Development, 4%
Worked with administration in organizing and assisting the implementation of professional staff development.
Common skills that a curriculum director uses to do their job include "classroom management," "curriculum development," and "professional development workshops." You can find details on the most important curriculum director responsibilities below.
Problem-solving skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a curriculum director to have is problem-solving skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "teachers, students, and other staff report problems to the principal." Curriculum directors often use problem-solving skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "instituted and led change in curriculum development and assessment using technological solutions. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform curriculum director duties is communication skills. Curriculum directors responsibilities require that "principals must communicate effectively with students, teachers, and parents." Curriculum directors also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "coordinate and oversee grant applications and management, expenditure of professional development funds, state reports and communications. "
Decision-making skills. curriculum directors are also known for decision-making skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to curriculum director responsibilities, because "because principals are responsible for students, staff, and the overall operation of the school, they consider many factors when making decisions." A curriculum director resume example shows how decision-making skills is used in the workplace: "determined business priorities and met organizational goals while managing curriculum development staff, subject matter experts, and independent contractors. "
Leadership skills. curriculum director responsibilities often require "leadership skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "principals set educational goals and establish policies and procedures for the school." This resume example shows what curriculum directors do with leadership skills on a typical day: "provided leadership, oversight, and direction for the overall activities of planning district instructional programs. "
The three companies that hire the most curriculum directors are:
- Goddard School3 curriculum directors jobs
- CAPITAL PREP HARBOR SCHOOL3 curriculum directors jobs
- University of Pennsylvania2 curriculum directors jobs
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Compare different curriculum directors
Curriculum director vs. School business manager
A school business manager is responsible for providing leadership and management of all teaching and non-teaching staff in a school setting and ensuring they perform their duties accordingly to achieve the required standards of learning. The duties and responsibilities include attending senior managerial meetings and taking the lead of all school responsibilities in the absence of the headteacher.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a curriculum director are more likely to require skills like "classroom management," "curriculum development," "professional development workshops," and "mathematics." On the other hand, a job as a school business manager requires skills like "professional development," "payroll," "financial reports," and "cash control." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
School business managers really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $62,552. Comparatively, curriculum directors tend to make the most money in the non profits industry with an average salary of $63,521.school business managers tend to reach lower levels of education than curriculum directors. In fact, school business managers are 10.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Curriculum director vs. Middle school principal
A middle school principal is an individual who is responsible for managing the operations of a school that caters to children from the fifth to the eighth grades. This principal must supervise the responsibilities of all employees of the school, such as teachers, maintenance workers, and administrative staff members. The principal is required to conduct regular staff and parents' meetings to create a cooperative relationship that supports student learning. This principle must also lead and direct the development of educational programs that can optimize learning among middle school students.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, curriculum director responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "mathematics," "child care," "language arts," and "classroom observations." Meanwhile, a middle school principal has duties that require skills in areas such as "school administration," "student performance," "instructional strategies," and "learning environment." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, middle school principals earn a higher salary than curriculum directors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, middle school principals earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $73,778. Whereas curriculum directors have higher pay in the non profits industry, with an average salary of $63,521.In general, middle school principals achieve higher levels of education than curriculum directors. They're 9.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 4.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Curriculum director vs. High school principal
A High School Principal oversees and supervises the daily operations of a high school. They are typically in charge of setting goals and objectives, establishing budgets and guidelines, creating schedules, spearheading academic programs, developing strategies to accomplish objectives, and conducting regular workforce assessments, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. It is also their responsibility to address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, a High School Principal implements policies and regulations to maintain a healthy and safe learning environment for everyone.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a curriculum director is likely to be skilled in "professional development workshops," "child care," "language arts," and "classroom observations," while a typical high school principal is skilled in "professional development," "school administration," "learning environment," and "board policies."
High school principals earn the best pay in the education industry, where they command an average salary of $85,046. Curriculum directors earn the highest pay from the non profits industry, with an average salary of $63,521.Most high school principals achieve a higher degree level compared to curriculum directors. For example, they're 6.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Curriculum director vs. School administrator
Types of curriculum director
Updated January 8, 2025
