Department Manager, Civil Service Clients: Traffic and Public Space

In short

• Contribute to the challenges of creating a future-proof public space in Amsterdam—the living room for all Amsterdammers, entrepreneurs, and visitors—as a client and manager.
• Coaching, challenging, and, where necessary, guiding the team of approximately 20 colleagues, including administrative clients and secretaries. 
• Advocate for the interests of the Traffic and Public Space Department and the city, and serve as the department’s public face.

The position

Amsterdam’s public spaces serve as a living room for residents, visitors, and business owners, and—with all their challenges and interconnections—constitute a fascinating field of work. It is an environment that is constantly changing or facing new demands. In this complex field, government officials are responsible for ensuring that desired goals and projects are implemented while minimizing disruption to the city. The public sector client is responsible, on behalf of the alderman and the director of public space, for realizing these goals within the set timeframe and available budget. Changes in society also require civil service project managers to look, think, and act differently in both the content and organization of their work. This means that project managers will also be steering issues other than redesigns or major maintenance, such as addressing traffic congestion in the city center. The public sector clients work together on this and envision an inspiring and independent figurehead for the department who embodies both individuality and seniority.

Here's what you do on an average day

As manager of the Public Sector Clients department within the Traffic & Public Space (V&OR) division, you are responsible for the department’s performance, quality, integrated approach, and ongoing development. As a member of the management team, you contribute to developments within V&OR, not only by offering critical input on content but also by fostering connections and serving as a model of task-oriented, agile, and confident work. You also embody moral leadership by putting V&OR’s core values (openness, decisiveness, connection, and care) into daily practice. 

The clients have their own programs and mandates, and as head of the department, you challenge them, coach them, and provide guidance when necessary. Under your leadership, you and your colleagues set the department’s course. You facilitate, ensure a fair distribution of work, and bear ultimate responsibility for the performance of all team members. You do this with vision, based on professional expertise and by fostering a sense of ownership. This involves both the importance of the tasks for Amsterdam and the personal development of the employees.

Daarnaast ben je ook zelf voor een deel van de tijd < 40% Ambtelijk Opdrachtgever (AOG) en daarmee eindverantwoordelijk voor een aantal omvangrijke, complexe projecten en/of programma’s in de openbare ruimte met een groot afbreukrisico. Je bent in deze rol de schakel tussen bestuur en ambtelijke organisatie. Denk bijvoorbeeld aan programma’s die bijdragen aan een groeiende en leefbare stad zoals Autoluw en Verkeersveiligheid. Andere voorbeelden zijn Project de Entree; een grootschalige aanpak van het gebied rond de meest drukke plek van Amsterdam, het Centraal station en de invoering van 30 km in Amsterdam. Ook wordt je als adviseur gevraagd vanuit je expertise en ervaring mee te denken over mogelijke opdrachten binnen de directie Verkeer en openbare ruimte.

This is where you get started

We strive to be a great employer that ensures all our colleagues feel seen and valued. We embrace the differences among our colleagues; these differences lead to better results for both our organization and our city. We aim to build a workforce that reflects Amsterdam’s diverse population. So, whoever you are, you’re more than welcome here!

Amsterdam is growing! Every year, more visitors, residents, and businesses come to our beautiful city. At the City of Amsterdam, 18,500 of us work every day to create a safe, livable, and clean city where people can live, work, and relax comfortably. We do this for the city and the country, but also for our neighborhoods and streets. To achieve this, the city’s public spaces must function properly. Roads, bridges, quay walls, and street lighting must be properly maintained and adapt to the changing world. Energy transition, climate adaptation, mobility transition, safe infrastructure, and livable public spaces—these are major challenges.

The Traffic & Public Space (V&OR) Department is responsible for the functioning of public spaces now, in the near future, and in the long term, and is tasked with ensuring accessibility, safety, livability, and the quality of public spaces in Amsterdam. V&OR employs approximately 750 staff members. About 20 of them work in the Public Sector Commissioning Division.

What you bring

For this position as Department Manager for Civil Service Clients in Traffic and Public Space, you must have:

• At least 7 years of experience as a client, project manager, or program manager/director.
• At least 7 years of experience in administrative decision-making and advisory work in the public sector.
• At least 5 years of managerial experience in a complex organization where self-management, expertise, and change are key priorities.
• Experience (in civil service and administration) within a G4 municipality or other public administration organization is preferred.

You should have the following skills:

• Leadership: A people-oriented leader with natural authority who fosters connections and a pleasant, safe work environment, and who, through vision, subject matter expertise, and leading by example, motivates team members and program and project managers to achieve results.
• Vision: You have a clear vision of the field of work of government clients in the public sphere, and you know how to engage others and inspire them with your ideas.
• Political Sensitivity: You have an excellent grasp of civil service-administrative dynamics and are highly attuned to your surroundings. You are able to translate civil service matters into administrative terms.
• Networking: You can establish multiple partnerships and build coalitions with the city, and you are able to represent the organization in dealings with the administration and supply chain partners. 
• Analytical skills: You can grasp complex issues and are also able to interpret the financial aspects of programs. 

What we offer you

As a Department Manager for Public Sector Clients, you will join our team for 32–36 hours per week and can expect the following terms of employment.

• A gross monthly salary ranging from €6,439 to €9,178 (pay grade 16) based on a 36-hour workweek. The exact salary will be determined based on your education, knowledge, and experience.
• A one-year employment contract, with the possibility of a permanent contract thereafter.
• If you already have a permanent employment contract with the City of Amsterdam, you will retain it and be transferred. 
• Opportunities for professional development and training. Our in-house training center, the Amsterdam School, offers a variety of training programs, professional development tracks, and on-the-job coaching to help you continue to challenge yourself.
• An individual flexible budget (IKB) equal to 17.05% of your salary, which you can use for things like additional pension contributions or extra days off.
• A pension plan with ABP, the pension fund for the public sector and education.
• A travel allowance of €0.10 per kilometer, up to a 45-kilometer one-way commute, for the number of days you work in the office, and/or a work-from-home allowance of €3 net per workday that you work from home.
• A monthly contribution toward health insurance.
• In this role, you can work partly from home and partly in the office. We provide the necessary equipment to help you set up a safe and healthy workspace at home.
• A cell phone and a laptop.
• The office is located in downtown Amsterdam, but you can work from various locations throughout the city.

Apply for this job

Want to know more about our employment terms and conditions? Check out theCity of Amsterdam Personnel Regulations(PGA).

• If this job opening interests you, please submit your application byDecember 8, 2023, using the “Apply Now” button.
• The selection process consists of a CV/cover letter review and two rounds of interviews.
• If your resume meets the job requirements, we would be happy to invite you for an interview. Interviews will be held in person at our office in Amsterdam.
• This job opening is being advertised both internally and externally. Employees of the City of Amsterdam will be given priority in the hiring process.
• The municipality has a preference policy for positions at pay grade 15 and above. This means that, for all positions at pay grade 15 and above, candidates with a non-Western immigrant background will be given preference if they are equally qualified.
• We require a recent Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) from every colleague who joins our team.

Do you have any questions about this job opening?

If you have any questions, please contact Iris van Scheppingen, Director of Traffic & Public Space, at i.van.scheppingen@amsterdam.nl or by phone at 06-30 32 34 41.