Head of Economics and Business Studies

Description & Requirements

Role Description

JOB TITLE

Head of Economics and Business Studies

DEPARTMENT

Economics and Business Studies

LOCATION

Shanghai

SUPERVISOR

Head of Individuals and Society Faculty

OBJECTIVES

The College is seeking to appoint an ambitious and committed Head of Economics and Business Studies to lead the continued development of the department across Years 10–13. The post holder will provide strategic and operational leadership for the department, ensuring a coherent, challenging and inclusive curriculum that enables pupils to achieve strong academic outcomes and develop a deeper understanding of the economic and business issues shaping the world around them.

The Head of Department will lead an experienced team with expertise in Economics and Business. Economics and Business Management are popular IB subjects, while IGCSE Business Studies also attracts strong pupil interest. The department is well resourced and has a strong record of pupil engagement and achievement. The successful candidate will build on these strengths, develop high-quality teaching and assessment, and extend pupils’ interest in Economics and Business beyond the taught curriculum through relevant co-curricular opportunities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Department Strategy, Curriculum and Provision

• Lead the development, implementation and regular review of the Economics and Business Studies curriculum across Years 10–13, including relevant IGCSE and IB courses.
• Ensure that curriculum plans are coherent, appropriately sequenced and aligned with examination specifications, the College’s academic priorities and pupils’ needs.
• Maintain high expectations for academic challenge, subject knowledge and pupil progress across all courses and year groups.
• Identify opportunities to enrich the curriculum and strengthen pupils’ understanding of the application of economic and business concepts to real-world contexts.
• Lead curriculum planning and review in response to examination outcomes, changes to specifications, pupil feedback and developments in the disciplines.
• Promote opportunities for pupils to explore Economics and Business beyond the core curriculum, including clubs, competitions, speakers, visits and other co-curricular activities.

• Promote excellent teaching and learning across the department, modelling effective subject pedagogy and maintaining a strong focus on pupil engagement and progress.
• Support colleagues to plan and deliver lessons that develop pupils’ subject knowledge, analytical thinking, quantitative skills, evaluation and written communication.
• Ensure that assessment practices are consistent, purposeful and aligned with course requirements, and that assessment outcomes inform teaching and intervention.
• Monitor the quality and impact of teaching and learning through appropriate activities, such as learning walks, work scrutiny, lesson visits, pupil voice and progress reviews.
• Provide colleagues with clear, constructive and actionable feedback to support continuous improvement.
• Promote appropriate differentiation and support for pupils with different levels of prior attainment, language proficiency and learning needs.

Pupil Progress, Data and Reporting

• Oversee the monitoring of pupil attainment and progress across the department, using assessment and examination data to identify strengths, gaps and pupils who may require additional support.
• Translate data analysis into clear actions for curriculum planning, classroom practice and targeted intervention.
• Ensure that internal assessment, predicted grades and reporting are accurate, timely and consistent with College expectations.
• Contribute to departmental and whole-school reporting on pupil performance, progress and the impact of teaching and learning.
• Communicate effectively with pupils and parents about progress, achievement and appropriate next steps, as required.

Leadership, Staff Development and Collaboration

• Lead, support and develop department colleagues, creating a collaborative culture in which staff share expertise and take collective responsibility for pupil outcomes.
• Set clear departmental priorities and expectations, and ensure that roles, responsibilities and key deadlines are understood.
• Identify professional learning needs and contribute to relevant CPD, coaching and mentoring for department colleagues.
• Support colleagues in developing subject expertise and effective approaches to teaching IGCSE and IB Economics and Business courses.
• Collaborate with other Heads of Department, academic leaders and relevant support teams to promote a coherent and effective pupil experience.
• Share effective practice within the College and, where appropriate, across the wider Wellington College China network.

Operational and Resource Management

• Manage the effective day-to-day operation of the department, including curriculum documentation, assessment schedules, departmental meetings and moderation.
• Ensure that departmental resources are used effectively and that teaching materials are current, accessible and aligned with course requirements.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of appropriate departmental documentation and processes, supporting continuity and sustainability.
• Ensure that departmental deadlines and College policies are met, including those relating to assessment, reporting, safeguarding and pupil welfare.
• Contribute to relevant academic planning and review processes as required.

Pupil Engagement, Inclusion and Safeguarding

• Promote a positive, inclusive and academically ambitious learning environment in which pupils feel supported to participate and succeed.
• Encourage pupils to develop curiosity about economic and business issues and to make thoughtful connections between theory and the wider world.
• Work with pastoral, learning support and other relevant colleagues to support pupils’ academic progress and well-being.
• Uphold the College’s safeguarding responsibilities and ensure that pupil safety and welfare remain central to departmental practice.

BEHAVIOURS: LEADERS AS CHANGEMAKERS

Key Leadership Mindset

• “Big Picture” Thinking – Balance the day-to-day leadership of the department with a clear long-term vision for Economics and Business across Years 10–13.
• Servant Leadership – Support colleagues with the guidance, resources and professional trust needed to deliver excellent teaching and learning.
• Growth Mindset – Regularly review curriculum, teaching, assessment and pupil support, seeking effective ways to improve provision.
• Mentoring and Coaching – Develop colleagues’ subject expertise, confidence and capacity, supporting their roles and professional aspirations.

The post holder should demonstrate a combination of strategic, analytical, operational and people leadership behaviours, including:

Data-Informed Decision-Making

• Analytical Thinking: Interpret assessment and examination data accurately and use findings to inform teaching, intervention and departmental planning.
• Evidence-Based Evaluation: Evaluate the impact of curriculum and teaching initiatives and identify appropriate next steps.
• Fair and Consistent Assessment: Promote reliable assessment, moderation and reporting practices across the department.

Strategic and Academic Leadership

• Curriculum Vision: Develop a coherent and ambitious subject curriculum aligned with the College’s academic priorities.
• Proactive Problem-Solving: Identify emerging academic or operational challenges and develop practical, timely responses.
• Subject Leadership: Maintain a strong understanding of developments in Economics and Business education and relevant examination courses.

Operational Excellence

• Planning and Organisation: Coordinate departmental priorities, assessment cycles and key deadlines effectively.
• Process Sustainability: Maintain clear, accessible departmental systems and documentation that support continuity and future development.
• Resource Stewardship: Use departmental resources responsibly and effectively.

Collaborative and Supportive Leadership

• Staff Development: Enable colleagues to strengthen their teaching and subject expertise through coaching, CPD and professional collaboration.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Work constructively with academic, pastoral and support colleagues in the interests of pupils.
• Clear Communication: Communicate expectations, decisions and academic information clearly and professionally.

Ethical and Transparent Leadership

• Integrity in Decision-Making: Make fair, consistent and evidence-informed decisions.
• Data Confidentiality: Handle pupil and staff information sensitively and in accordance with College policies and applicable data-protection requirements.
• Safeguarding: Follow the College’s safeguarding policies and procedures and promote a culture of pupil safety and well-being.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Pupil-Centred Focus: Use pupil feedback and progress information to support engagement, achievement and appropriate intervention.
• Parent Communication: Communicate professionally and constructively with parents regarding pupils’ progress and learning.
• Policy Implementation: Implement relevant WCEC and College policies and guidance within the department.

BASIC QUALIFICATION

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business, a related discipline or an equivalent subject area.
• A recognised teaching qualification.

Further Education and Professional Learning:

• Postgraduate study or relevant professional learning in Economics, Business, Education or a related field would be an advantage.

Working experience: 

• Demonstrable experience teaching Economics and/or Business in a secondary school setting.
• Experience teaching relevant IGCSE and/or IB courses, or equivalent international qualifications, is desirable.
• A record of supporting strong pupil progress and achievement.

Management Experience:

• Previous middle-leadership or departmental leadership experience is desirable.
• Candidates without formal leadership experience should be able to demonstrate clear evidence of leadership impact and the capacity to lead and develop a team.

EXPERTISE

• Strong subject knowledge in Economics and/or Business, with the ability to lead provision across the department.
• Knowledge of relevant IGCSE and IB curricula, assessment requirements and examination practices.
• A clear understanding of effective teaching, learning and assessment in Economics and Business.
• The ability to develop pupils’ analytical, evaluative, quantitative and written communication skills.
• Confidence in analysing pupil progress and attainment data and using it to inform improvement.
• The ability to support, coach and develop colleagues and to promote a collaborative department culture.
• Strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to inclusive practice, pupil well-being and safeguarding.

• Deep knowledge of either Economics or Business Management at IB level, or experience teaching A-Level, would be an advantage.
• Experience teaching both Economics and Business, or leading a department covering both subjects, would be desirable.
• A passion for the subjects beyond the core curriculum, with the ability to engage pupils in real-world economic and business issues.
• Experience developing co-curricular opportunities, such as subject clubs, competitions, enrichment activities or external partnerships.
• Experience working in an international or multilingual school environment, or in the UK state or independent sectors, would be welcome.

As an employer of choice, Wellington College Education (China) is committed to making professional learning and personal development central to its ethos and approach. WCEC fully recognises its responsibilities for safeguarding children. Our safeguarding policy applies to all staff, governors and volunteers working in the Group.