Department Manager, Consulting

What will you be doing?

As the Advisory Department Manager, you will lead a team of 35 passionate professionals working in the fields of education, culture, and society. Together with your team, you will work toward achieving social objectives, as well as network and program goals. You will be responsible for setting the direction and overseeing operations within your department—from strategy and innovation to HR and finance.

You effortlessly balance the organization’s vision with day-to-day realities. You translate societal challenges into concrete projects and services that tangibly contribute to the public value of our partners. Together with your team and fellow managers, you build lasting relationships, innovative partnerships, and effective service delivery.

Your main responsibilities:

• Putting strategy into practice: You will develop and implement the strategy for your department and align it with Rijnbrink’s broader direction. You will actively contribute to the management team and play a central role in achieving social impact. 
  
• Leadership and Development: You provide hierarchical leadership to one team leader and partially fulfill the role of team leader yourself. You listen actively, recognize talent, and give people the confidence to grow. You encourage ownership, job satisfaction, and professional development. At the same time, you serve as a substantive sparring partner: you contribute ideas, provide guidance on complex decisions, link content to strategy, and encourage innovation. 
  
• Collaborating and Building Connections: You maintain strategic relationships with libraries, municipalities, and cultural institutions and represent Rijnbrink in networks at the local, provincial, and national levels. Internally, you work closely with fellow managers and the program office. 
  
• Customer-focused and impact-driven work: You ensure that our services seamlessly align with the needs of our clients and societal challenges. You challenge yourself and your team to work smarter, more creatively, and with a greater focus on the client. 
  
• Responsible for operational management: You will develop annual and multi-year plans, manage budgets, and drive results. HR tasks, such as staff scheduling and team development, will also fall under your responsibility. You will ensure transparent reporting to the CEO and the Management Team. 

You...

...you’re not a manager who sits back and relaxes, but a driving force who looks ahead. Someone who lives and breathes strategy, yet is just as comfortable standing alongside a colleague to take steps forward together. You read between the lines, seeing both the big picture and the nuances. You have a keen eye for people and a knack for spotting social opportunities. You know that real change starts with listening, connecting, and having the courage to make choices.

In short, here’s what you’ll need:

• University-level work and thinking 
• At least 5 years of experience in a strategic leadership role 
• An affinity for public and social organizations, preferably in the library, cultural, or educational sectors 
• Proven experience with change management in a dynamic, political-administrative environment 
• You are strategic, a team player, and decisive 
• And above all: you have the courage to make a difference, especially when the going gets tough 

We offer:

Rijnbrink is a center of expertise. That’s why we place a strong emphasis on your personal and professional development. We believe it’s important for you to continue growing. On the job, you’ll notice that the focus is on informal learning and the exchange of knowledge among colleagues. After all, that’s how you learn the most. We also invest in relevant education and training within your field. You’ll receive:

• A gross monthly salary between €6,716 and €8,397 in pay grade 14 (Management job group: Strategic Manager I) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Public Libraries (effective July 1, 2025). The pay grade is indicative and depends on experience.

• Vacation days: You are entitled to 180 hours of vacation time per year based on a 36-hour workweek.
• A year-end bonus of 5% and vacation pay equal to 8% of the gross annual salary.
• Reimbursement for travel expenses and free public transportation for business purposes.
• The option to purchase leave hours and/or use (excess) leave hours toward other employment benefits.
• A fixed-term contract. If both parties are satisfied, your contract will be converted to a permanent position.
• Free access to over 120 online courses from GoodHabitz.
• Access to our work café, where you can meet your colleagues and make your own barista-style coffee (or tea). You can also enjoy a delicious, fresh lunch from our caterer, Bora.
• The option to work remotely. This means that your work determines where you work—whether from home, at the office, or at another location.
• A laptop and a smartphone.
• And, of course, a free library card!

Where will you be working:

Rijnbrink believes it is important for everyone to have the opportunity to grow. Young and old—throughout their lives. So that as many people as possible can participate and shape themselves and our society. Libraries, cultural institutions, schools, and music associations play a vital role in this lifelong development. Because that is where everyone gains access to what makes us human: our language, digital skills, literature, culture, and music.

From our beautiful office in Deventer, we work with and for library organizations, cultural institutions, schools, and music associations. We help them succeed in their social missions, make a difference, and remain future-proof. Together, we develop innovative solutions, services, and programs. In addition, our partners can hire Rijnbrink’s expertise and purchase services from us. In this way, we are building a culturally and organizationally strong, future-proof cultural sector—and a smart, skilled, and creative Gelderland and Overijssel.

Rijnbrink is an inclusive organization that values diversity in background, perspective, and talent.

Learn more about our organization at www.rijnbrink.nl.

Let's get to know each other!

Would you like to make a social impact as a Consulting Department Manager at Rijnbrink, working alongside us and the libraries? Apply now via the application form on the website—let’s get to know each other! 

Due to the summer season, we do not have a set closing date for this position. We plan to hold the first interviews on Wednesday, July 16, and Wednesday, September 3, depending on availability. We will contact suitable candidates personally (by phone) to discuss this. The second interview—a case study—is scheduled for mid-September.

Feeling the summer vibe? No problem. We understand that summer is all about vacations. Are you about to leave, or are you reading this from your vacation destination? Let us know. We’d be happy to help you find an alternative time or set up an online meeting. That way, we can make sure your interest doesn’t get derailed by a well-planned trip.

If you have any questions about the job opening, please contact Miranda Mostert, Recruitment Manager, at recruitment@rijnbrink.nl.