District Manager, West District - Permits, Oversight & Enforcement (VTH)

The position

We are looking for a department manager in the West district to lead the Permits, Supervision & Enforcement (VTH) department. This department comprises four operational teams currently consisting of 87 colleagues. These specialized teams include permit issuers, supervisors for the hospitality and construction sectors, legal professionals, and administrative support staff. You will directly supervise four team managers and report directly to the District Secretary and the VTH Portfolio Holder regarding the department’s results.

As the VTH West Department Manager, you are responsible for the organizational development of the district and the urban development of the VTH domain. Although each district has its own VTH department, we strive to work across districts and as uniformly as possible. Urban KPIs form the basis for the targets to be achieved in terms of quantity and quality. You share responsibility for the implementation and execution of new policies. Together with the program and implementation managers, you will ensure that the Environment Act and the Quality Assurance Act are implemented this year.

A challenging position awaits you in the West district. Due to organizational changes, the implementation of the Environment Act, and the absence of a permanent department manager due to illness, there is a need for structure, long-term planning, and the creation of an open and transparent work environment. That is why it is important that you have previously worked on change processes in a department with people. We strive for inclusive leadership—a management style that sets a good example and fosters a safe, ethical, and inclusive work culture. You are approachable and create a work environment where all employees feel comfortable and safe.

Here's what you do on an average day

• As a department manager, you play a visible role within the organization. You maintain close communication with the four team managers and provide them with organizational support, both when requested and on your own initiative.
• You are regularly present on the work floor and maintain contact with your colleagues on the teams, both formally and, above all, informally.
• In your role as program manager, you will be responsible for an urban portfolio that will be determined at a later date. This could include, for example, the implementation of the Environment Act, improving IT systems, or financial management.
• You will discuss the progress of the cultural shift brought about by the Environment Act with the program and implementation manager. Together, you will explore the tension between the line and program organizations and refine the agreements regarding roles, tasks, and responsibilities.
• A customer wants to file a claim for damages due to a permit application that has been pending for too long. You ask the team manager to inform the board and request an action plan to resolve the issue. As department head, you address the problem of conflicting policies within the city management team.
• The ombudsman has brought several issues to the attention of the board that raise questions about the judgments, decisions, and actions of colleagues in your department. The board is also taking this matter seriously. You ask the managers of the teams involved to prepare a response for the ombudsman so that the board can discuss it.
• An enforcement decision from your department makes the headlines in *Het Parool*. Political unrest ensues. You understand the sensitivity of the situation and take charge to ensure that the Executive Board is fully informed about the context and facts surrounding this specific decision.

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!

More than 144,000 people live, shop, and work in the lively neighborhoods of West and find peace and entertainment in its parks. West consists of four districts, each with its own character and atmosphere. There are hundreds of cafés and restaurants in West. Countless events are organized annually, particularly in Westerpark. West is bustling! But with that comes a responsibility to ensure everything runs smoothly. At the Permits, Supervision & Enforcement (VTH) department, we play a key role.

The Permits, Supervision, and Enforcement Department (VTH) is responsible for reviewing permit applications and enforcing compliance within the built environment. Staff members monitor compliance with regulations and permits and take action to prevent or stop violations and their undesirable effects. The City of Amsterdam strives to provide services to customers in a consistent manner. Although each district has its own VTH department, collaboration between them is actively sought. We are constantly seeking the best form of collaboration and the most uniform service possible for Amsterdam’s residents and businesses. An evaluation of VTH’s positioning is currently underway. It is possible that this process will lead to changes in the role. The department consists broadly of three different teams: Permits, Supervision & Enforcement, and Process Implementation.

VTH operates in an environment where our employees serve as the first point of contact for business owners and residents regarding permit applications under the General Provisions on Environmental Law Act (WABO) and the General Local Ordinance (APV). Applications are always subject to time pressure due to statutory deadlines and have a significant impact on both the applicants and the surrounding community. Whether or not to grant a permit and enforcement procedures are often socially or politically sensitive, carrying a considerable risk of reputational damage.

What you bring

For this position as Department Manager for the West District – Permits, Supervision & Enforcement (VTH), you must have:

• A degree from a university of applied sciences or a research university.
• At least 5 years of work experience leading a department within a government agency, with the political sensitivity that this entails.
• At least 5 years of experience implementing change initiatives within a department.

You should have the following skills:

• Collaboration: You promote collaboration by focusing on shared interests, common ground, and cohesion as you work on challenges and look beyond boundaries. You do this by coordinating with your fellow Management Team members, area managers, and partners. You build networks within and outside the organization and encourage others to do the same. You are proactive and a trustworthy discussion partner for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Sensitivity: You pick up on underlying tensions within the department and address them immediately. You are aware of politically sensitive issues and can accurately assess the feasibility of the board’s requests or policies.
• Results-oriented: You are actively focused on achieving goals and results. You are highly willing to take action when results fall short of expectations.
• Vision/Setting the Direction: You take a step back from day-to-day operations and have a clear picture of the direction in which the field and the department will evolve. You are able to work with the team to develop a vision, both in terms of content and working methods. In doing so, you have the confidence to trust your teams and give them the space they need.
• Fostering innovation: You can quickly adapt to a changing environment and evolving circumstances and go with the flow. You set the agenda, organize, and foster innovation. You can think outside the box, approach challenges from new perspectives, and venture off the beaten path.

What we offer you

As the District Manager for the West VTH district, you will join our team for 36 hours a week and can expect the following terms of employment.

• A gross monthly salary ranging from €5,892 to €8,023 (pay grade 14) based on a 36-hour workweek. The exact salary will be determined based on your education, knowledge, and experience.
• An individual flexible budget (IKB) equal to 17.05% of your salary, which you can use for purposes such as additional pension contributions or extra days off, or have paid out monthly.
• A one-year employment contract, with the possibility of a permanent contract thereafter. If you already have a permanent 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, development tracks, and on-the-job coaching to help you continue to challenge yourself.
• A pension plan with ABP, the pension fund for the public sector and education.
• A travel allowance of €0.10 per kilometer for travel by car, €0.15 per kilometer for travel by bicycle, and €0.21 per kilometer for travel by public transportation. This applies to a one-way commute of up to 45 kilometers and for the number of days you work in the office.
• A monthly contribution toward health insurance.
• A cell phone and a work laptop.

In this role and at this stage of the West district’s development, the department manager’s visibility is crucial. As a result, working from home—especially during the first year—is not an option.
Curious about all our employment conditions? View the Amsterdam Municipal Staff Regulations (PGA) at www.amsterdam.nl/pga.

Apply for this job

If this job opening interests you, we look forward to receiving your application no later than April 13 via the application form on our website.

• This position is being advertised internally and externally at the same time. Employees of the City of Amsterdam are given priority in the hiring process. However, this position is advertised regularly, and we know from experience that the likelihood of finding a suitable internal candidate is very low.
• We look forward to receiving your cover letter, in which you explain, in no more than one A4 page, why your work experience and skills are a good fit for this position. Please note: your cover letter will be taken into consideration and is an important part of the selection process.
• The selection process begins immediately after the application deadline and consists of two rounds of interviews and an assessment. We aim to hold the interviews in week 16. The assessment is scheduled for week 17.
• If your resume meets the job requirements, we would be happy to invite you for an interview.
• The interviews will take place in person at our office on Bos en Lommerplein in Amsterdam.
• 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 about the position, please contact Jamila Tahiri, Director of the West District, at j.tahiri@amsterdam.nl or 06-29376734. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Guido Moelee, Corporate Recruiter at VTH, at g.moelee@amsterdam.nl or 06-142442280.

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.