Department Manager with a knack for driving change

This is you

• A passion for and vision regarding organizational development and change initiatives. You ensure that work is carried out with an innovative mindset focused on sustainability and inclusion.
• With initiative, you will help further develop the Legal Department within the City of Amsterdam.
• Amsterdam is a city rich in diversity, and we strive to reflect that in the composition of our management team. We believe in the power of diversity and are committed to creating a work environment where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to make the most of their talents.

The position

In this role as department manager, you will work alongside your colleagues to further develop the Legal Department. You will do so with strong self-confidence without losing sight of the human aspect. Whereas the process used to be the focus, the focus is now on the people of Amsterdam. This requires us to continually view our mission through the lens of the people of Amsterdam in all their diversity. Empathy and a tailored approach are key here!

Keeping abreast of current social developments at the local, national, and European levels is essential for this, so that you can consistently translate these developments into what they mean for the city of Amsterdam and its residents.  You draw connections between developments such as Airbnb, canal boats, the extension of the North-South Metro Line, sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, and ChatGPT, and their impact on our municipal organization and the people of Amsterdam. You encourage colleagues to view current events in this way as well and to collaborate on how we can proactively advise city officials, the organization, and the residents of Amsterdam. In your role, you make a significant contribution to strengthening the strategic legal advisory function of the Legal Bureau. Over time, your focus shifts from operational to predominantly strategic. Through your collaborative attitude and boldness, you inspire your team to do the same. With your strategic vision, you develop an action plan for your department and the Legal Bureau as a whole, making the new way of working second nature.

In a city where laws evolve with the times, we are taking steps toward innovation in the legal sector. In a letter to the council, the Mayor calls for tailored solutions and the legalization of our services. Innovation is the key to progress, and the legal world is no exception. Within the Legal Department, our own Knowledge and Innovation Team stands ready to support you with creativity and a passion for innovation, using Legal Tech/AI applications.

Here's what you do on an average day

• Monday morning; you open the newspaper and read about legal developments in The Hague, the EU, and the region. You reflect on what this means for the city of Amsterdam and its residents, and how the city government should be advised on this matter from a strategic perspective.
• You’re having a career development discussion with one of your team members. You’re enthusiastic about her dedication and growth. You encourage her to express her unique—and therefore valuable—perspective on certain matters more explicitly and to consider how she can contribute to the continued development of the Legal Department.
• Putting the people of Amsterdam first—with that in mind, you review the legal advice provided by our staff. This advice must be clear and relevant to the board, the organization, and the people of Amsterdam.
• During your lunchtime walk along the Amstel, you reflect on future challenges and opportunities for the organization and the development of strategic plans.
• It’s time for the networking event organized by your professional network within the legal and political community. This is a great opportunity to stay up to date on developments in your field.

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!

The Legal Department now consists of five divisions and a staff unit. The management team consists of a director and four division managers. Some divisions are made up of several teams. The team leaders of these teams are responsible for day-to-day operations and managing staff. The teams include professionals who, among other things, provide advice, handle objections and appeals, and perform legal reviews. We handle objections and appeals from Amsterdam residents in various areas of law and provide legal advice in various areas of law to the administration and our colleagues in the departments and city districts. In doing so, we contribute to ensuring that the City of Amsterdam acts in accordance with the law. The Legal Bureau consists of a diverse group of approximately 160 employees.

The department where you will be working is the Civil and Labor Law Department, which consists of about 20 lawyers who are passionate about their work. This department advises management teams throughout the organization on matters of civil and labor law, both on an ad hoc basis and through longer-term consulting engagements.

What you bring

For the position of Department Manager, you must have:

• At least 2 years of recent and relevant change management experience with change processes focused on organization and culture.
• Demonstrable knowledge of, an understanding of, and experience with the dynamics of a large city or organization.

You should have the following skills:

• Environmental awareness: It’s all about gathering and understanding information about what’s happening around you. This means you need to be able to observe, listen, and sense what’s going on. It’s like solving a puzzle. You need to know which pieces of information are important and be able to react quickly when things change.
• Strategic thinking: You can look beyond the short term and anticipate future challenges and opportunities. You use this to shape your vision and organize your department.
• Change management skills: You are bold and daring. You know how to get your team excited about the new way of working. You’re not afraid to think outside the box and keep your colleagues on their toes. Knowledge of various approaches and methods for change management.
• Inclusive leadership: You think and act inclusively. You value a diverse Amsterdam and a work environment that includes people from different cultures and religions. You help create a socially safe environment. You are approachable, reliable, predictable, and inspire trust. You recognize employees’ talents and are committed to talent development.  

What we offer you

• As a Department Manager, you will join our team for 36 hours a week and can expect the following terms of employment.
• A gross monthly salary ranging from €5,309 to €6,993 (pay grade 13) 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 do not currently have an employment contract with the City of Amsterdam, or if you have only a temporary one.
• 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.
• A laptop and a cell phone.
• Hybrid work: In this role, you can work partly from home and partly in the office. We provide remote work resources to help you set up a safe and healthy workspace.

Want to know more about our employment terms and conditions? Check out the Amsterdam Municipal Personnel Regulations (PGA) atwww.amsterdam.nl/pga/.

Apply for this job

• If this job opening interests you, please submit your application by January 10, 2024, usingthe application form on our website.
• We would like to receive your cover letter—no more than one A4 page—explaining why your work experience aligns with this position and demonstrating that you possess the following competencies: - situational awareness - strategic thinking - change management - inclusive leadership. Your cover letter will be taken into consideration during the selection process.
• The selection process consists of a CV/cover letter review and two rounds of interviews. We have formed a selection committee of four people, consisting of the manager, a recruiter, and a direct colleague with whom you will be working.
• If your resume meets the job requirements, we would be happy to invite you for an interview.
• The interviews will be held in person at our office on President Kennedylaan in Amsterdam.
• An assessment may be part of the selection process.
• This job opening is being advertised internally and externally at the same time. Employees of the City of Amsterdam will be given priority in the hiring process.
• 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 Jolanda Zegers, recruiter, atj.zegers@amsterdam.nl or 06 28 03 81 67.

We do not appreciate unsolicited solicitation from recruitment agencies, and such actions may result in exclusion from our other recruitment initiatives. We also consider the unsolicited submission of resumes by agencies to our employees to be solicitation. We will not review these resumes.