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Headteacher

Also called principal, headmaster, headmistress

Headteachers manage the day-to-day activities of an educational institution. They make decisions concerning admissions and are responsible for meeting curriculum standards, which facilitate academic development for the students. They manage staff, working closely with the different department heads, and evaluate the subject teachers in a timely manner in order to secure optimal class performance. They also ensure the school meets the national education requirements set by law and cooperate with local communities and governments.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects57 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Production and specialized services managersWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €3,000 (Bulgaria) to €11,300 (Italy) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Production and specialized services managersWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree6 in 10 have a degree.Production and specialized services managersWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Education managers · ILO

What you'd do

Education managers · ILO
  • Determining educational programmes based on frameworks established by education authorities and governing bodies
  • Implementing systems and procedures to monitor school performance and student enrolments
  • Directing administrative and clerical activities concerning student admissions and educational services
  • Controlling administrative operations such as budget planning, report preparation, and expenditure on supplies, equipment and services
  • Providing leadership and guidance to teaching, academic and administrative staff as well as to students
  • Evaluating the work of teachers and lecturers by visiting classrooms, observing teaching methods, reviewing instructional objectives and examining learning materials
  • Promoting the educational programme, and representing the service or institution in the wider community
  • Supervising the maintenance of educational facilities
  • Developing and enforcing a disciplinary code to create a safe and conducive environment for students and teachers
  • Organizing and implementing methods of raising additional funds in conjunction with parent and community groups and sponsors
  • Controlling selection, training and supervision of staff
Cooperate with education professionalsDevelop organisational policiesManage school budgetManage enrolmentProvide education management support+ 10 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Varied tasks, little repetition
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as production and specialized services managers in the EU
3.46m3.53m4.8m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,045,000 new jobs 1,100,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Production and specialized services managers57
All jobs29
Right now
4 of 27 countries report a shortage of education managers, 1 a surplus.
Education managers · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €3,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €11,300 (Italy), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among managers in the EU, women earn 27% less per hour than men. Managers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in management and administration is the usual route.

Highest qualification of production and specialized services managers (EU, 2025)
Degree 63%Vocational 22%General secondary 8%Basic schooling 7%
Field that teaches it
Management and administration
Vocational route, EU
3 in 10 trainees in this field
Business and law graduates in a matching job
66% in the EU

1,314 institutions in the EU offer business and law bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.36 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 11 tasks
Controlling administrative operations such as budget planning, report preparation, and expenditure on supplies, equipment and services0.56
Promoting the educational programme, and representing the service or institution in the wider community0.47
Implementing systems and procedures to monitor school performance and student enrolments0.43
Determining educational programmes based on frameworks established by education authorities and governing bodies0.41
Directing administrative and clerical activities concerning student admissions and educational services0.40
Organizing and implementing methods of raising additional funds in conjunction with parent and community groups and sponsors0.32
Providing leadership and guidance to teaching, academic and administrative staff as well as to students0.30
Controlling selection, training and supervision of staff0.30
Evaluating the work of teachers and lecturers by visiting classrooms, observing teaching methods, reviewing instructional objectives and examining learning materials0.26
Developing and enforcing a disciplinary code to create a safe and conducive environment for students and teachers0.26
Supervising the maintenance of educational facilities0.26

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for education managers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).