School Superintendent Resume Examples & Templates

There is no standard resume format for a superintendent. Depending on which sections you want to highlight, you can craft a chronological, functional, or combination resume. We offer a variety of customizable resume templates in all three formats that you can use to kickstart your resume.  

A good resume for a superintendent will look much like the superintendent resume sample on this page and will contain the job seeker’s contact information, skills, employment history, education and certifications, if applicable.

A superintendent’s resume might also contain sections for awards and honors if the job candidate has them to display. See what your resume should look like for additional guidance. 

A resume for a superintendent should only include skills that are relevant to the job and fit the job applicant’s true skill set. Review our school superintendent resume examples for ideas on how to display your skills on your superintendent resume.

Employers will look for keywords in your resume that show you have the right skills for the job. Browse the job posting and take note of phrases that describe what the job needs, such as “evidence-based programming” and “Coordinates and supervises Educational Services Agency programs.” 

Then match these phrases to your own abilities and experiences, and feature them in your resume. For example, you could list “education program coordination” as a skill or mention a previous job accomplishment involving evidence-based programming in your work history section.

Not all resumes are created equal. Here are our top tips for crafting a perfect superintendent resume:

• Add separate sections for extra training, certifications, licenses and awards.
• Keep your resume short and to the point. If you have less than 10 years of experience, it should be one page long; if you have more than 10 years of experience, then it’s acceptable to have no more than two pages. 
• To pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) screening, use keywords from the job description in your superintendent resume’s work experience section. 
• Ensure your resume is formatted correctly. The margins should be one inch on all sides, and the line space should be single or 1.5 inches. 
• Only use appropriate fonts, like Times New Roman, Arial or Helvetica, in 11-12 points on the body and 14-16 points on headers.
• Proofread your resume more than once before sending it to potential employers.

When updating your resume for career advancement, look to add to these experiences and achievements:

• Examples in your work history where you displayed strong leadership, as well as the ability to train and manage employees.
• Examples of how you’ve improved a school district’s standing and overall academic performance.
• Advanced training in specialized areas of administration or academic subjects.
• Examples of how you’ve expanded your duties to other areas of management and administration (e.g., playing a leading role in getting additional funding for school programs).

You should tailor your resume every time you apply for a different job, as each job has different demands and requirements:

• Emphasize the skills and work experiences in your background that best match those mentioned in the job posting.
• Make sure your resume addresses keywords from the job description(e.g., “data collection and analysis for annual reports” or “identifying, managing and writing grants”).
• Target your summary to directly answer what the job prioritizes. For example, if the job’s prime task is “Collaborating with school districts to assess needs and locate resources,” then mention your expertise in this area: “Experienced superintendent with six years of experience managing school district needs assessment and resource allocation.”

Give your achievements an extra touch of detail — and better represent your capabilities to prospective employers — by describing your achievements in tangible numbers and statistics.

For example: “Supervised staff of 50 facility workers” or “Implemented more efficient school administration software, with 100% instructor compliance within one month.”

When describing supervisory skills on your school superintendent resume, it is important to highlight your ability to effectively manage and lead a diverse team of educators and staff. Here are a few examples: 

• Proven track record of providing visionary leadership to a team of educators and staff, fostering a collaborative environment and aligning efforts to achieve educational goals.
• Implemented team-building initiatives that improved staff morale, increasing collaboration, productivity and student achievement.
• Successfully implemented a performance evaluation system that led to measurable improvements in teacher effectiveness and student outcomes.

Remember to provide specific examples and quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your supervisory skills in previous roles.

Several factors contribute to the success of a school superintendent. Here are some key qualities and skills commonly associated with successful superintendents:

• Leadership: Showcase your ability to provide strong leadership and direction to teachers and staff, emphasizing your experience in setting goals, establishing priorities and making informed decisions.
• Team Building: Highlight your skills in building and maintaining cohesive teams, fostering a positive work culture and promoting professional development among staff.
• Performance Management: Demonstrate your proficiency in evaluating employee performance, providing constructive feedback and implementing professional growth and improvement strategies.
• Decision Making: Highlight your ability to make informed decisions based on data analysis, educational research and stakeholder input while considering the best interests of students and the school district.

Although the specific qualities and skills required may vary depending on the district’s unique needs and context,  However, a successful superintendent is one who can effectively lead, communicate, collaborate, and make decisions that positively impact student learning and the overall success of the district.