Deputy Editor-in-Chief (Creative Profile)

Role within the organization

This spring, VPRO restructured its leadership from a single-person to a dual-leadership model (consisting of a director/general manager and a business director), supported by a smaller management team. The editorial leadership has also been restructured: instead of three co-editors-in-chief, there will be a single chief editor, supported by three more specialized deputy editors-in-chief.

As deputy editor-in-chief, you will work with your colleagues in the Media Editorial Board to shape VPRO’s programming strategy. You will serve as a liaison between the Media Editorial Board and the executive editors and editorial teams. You will report to the editor-in-chief and work closely with the two other deputy editors-in-chief and the production management team.

You will be responsible for a portfolio (creative, journalism, or culture) within the Media Department and will directly supervise the editors-in-chief and indirectly supervise the editorial staff of the assigned titles within the portfolio.

What is expected of you?

As deputy editor-in-chief, you will develop and implement programming policy across all media platforms. You will oversee productions across all platforms and be responsible for the quality and further development of existing and new titles. The deputy editors-in-chief have the mandate and freedom to make independent decisions within the chosen programming direction. New program proposals are discussed by the entire editorial board, with the person whose area of expertise the proposal falls under having the deciding vote. You will manage approximately 10–13 senior editors and ensure a pleasant and professional work environment within your team. 

• Under the leadership of the editor-in-chief and in collaboration with the other deputy editors-in-chief, you will work on VPRO’s programming strategy. You will initiate, develop, implement, and monitor cross-media communications within the agreed-upon frameworks and objectives. You have a strong grasp of content and a keen eye for the impact of digital developments on media behavior. You identify with VPRO’s core values—free thinking, originality, and depth.
• You will contribute to the continued development of VPRO as an innovative organization. You know how to win over key stakeholders, both internal and external, to support new ideas; you listen carefully to different opinions, are not afraid to make decisions, and can handle resistance.
• You represent VPRO externally. You negotiate on behalf of new and existing programs with the NPO. You employ various persuasive strategies and bring reliability and integrity to these negotiations.
• You will work as part of a team with the production managers to initiate and evaluate plans for their production and financial feasibility. Together, you will be responsible for securing titles on various platforms and contributing to VPRO’s financial health. You will tap into new sources of funding and encourage program teams to attract additional financial resources on their own.
• You will oversee human resources policy within your portfolio. You will contribute to the well-being, professional development, creativity, and (social) safety of the employees and editorial teams in your portfolio.

Creative Profile

We are looking for three deputy editors-in-chief, each with their own portfolio of titles. The deputy editor-in-chief for creative affairs has experience developing new formats, recognizes creative vision, and understands the delicate journey from a nascent idea to a fully realized program. They know how to encourage program makers to take new steps and are skilled at pitching new programs.

The ideal deputy editor-in-chief:

• Has a keen eye for relevant social developments and a clear vision of the role that VPRO plays in this context within the current media landscape.
• Has knowledge of and a vision for developing online content and reaching (younger) audiences.
• Has a background in media production (video, audio, online, and/or text).
• Can operate in a complex environment.
• Can weigh different perspectives and make decisions when faced with complex (journalistic) dilemmas. Knows how to build support for decisions.
• Has experience managing (media) professionals.
• Can act quickly when the situation calls for it; is crisis-ready.

What do we offer?

• Initially, a one-year contract with the possibility of extension.
• Depending on age and work experience, the salary ranges from a minimum of €5,200 to a maximum of €8,300 gross per month for a 36-hour workweek.
• Salary and other terms of employment are in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement for broadcasting personnel, including an 8% vacation allowance and a 6% December bonus.
• This is a full-time position (36 hours) spread over 5 workdays. 

Are you interested?

We look forward to receiving your application! At VPRO, we strive for the broadest possible representation of Dutch society. VPRO prioritizes content and expertise. Our job openings are open to any candidate who feels the position is a good fit. Instead of a cover letter, we ask that you answer a few screening questions.

Interested? Please submit your answers to our questions via the application buttonby September 8, 2024, at the latest. If you’d like to apply for multiple positions, we expect you to submit two or three separate applications. The first interviews are scheduled for the weeks of September 16 and 23.

For more information about the position, please contact Sarah Sylbing, Editor-in-Chief, at 06-10330583.