Managing Director

Theater Zuidplein – our DNA, with co-creation as our guiding principle

Theater Zuidplein is a medium-sized performing arts venue in Rotterdam-Zuid and plays a unique role as a cultural and social hub in Hart van Zuid. The theater is a place where the performing arts come together with the stories, perspectives, and talents of the city and the region. It is deeply rooted in the community and operates on the belief that art and culture foster connection and engagement.

The theater specifically targets audiences who do not necessarily feel at home within the existing cultural landscape. Here, artistic quality goes hand in hand with accessibility and social relevance. With co-creation as its guiding principle, the theater develops programs that are closely connected to the city: in collaboration with artists, partners, and residents, based on reciprocity and trust.

Theater Zuidplein operates in accordance with the principles of Fair Practice and is committed to careful and equal collaboration.

The Challenges – Building a Future-Proof Organization

Theater Zuidplein is led by a two-person management team consisting of a general director who also serves as board chair and a business director, currently serving on an interim basis. Together, they bear overall responsibility for the theater’s strategic direction, organization, and continuity. The strength of this structure lies in the synergy between artistic vision and business acumen.

During the 2025–2028 period, the Executive Director will face a series of interconnected challenges. These include further strengthening Theater Zuidplein’s position as an open and recognizable venue in Rotterdam South and as a full-fledged partner within the Rotterdam Cultural Foundation. This requires a clear artistic vision and the ability to communicate Theater Zuidplein’s story in a visible and compelling way.

Relationships are at the heart of this role. The Executive Director builds warm, lasting alliances with creators, community organizations, residents, and the City of Rotterdam. Collaboration here goes beyond mere coordination: Theater Zuidplein is a place where people feel at home, where there is room for experimentation, and where creators and partners feel supported. Co-creation means developing together and facilitating proactively, by providing space, giving attention, and sharing knowledge and networks.

At this stage of organizational development, there is a need for further professionalization. The desired growth requires organizational strength. The CEO ensures clear roles and responsibilities, sound governance, and a safe work environment in which employees can develop and take on responsibility.

The coming period calls for a director who will continue to foster creativity and innovation. Someone who will keep pushing the boundaries of our programming and dare to explore new combinations. For example, by linking the hospitality function more closely to the artistic program and by breaking down the rigid division between theater performances and other stage activities.

In addition to these responsibilities, you will guide the further development of Theater Zuidplein’s artistic direction. “Recognition,” “The New Generation: Game-Changers,” and “ECHT Rotterdam Zuid”—thethree multi-year program initiatives—serve as the guiding principles in this regard. They shape the program, audience development, and the way the theater establishes itself within the district and the city.

Personal Profile and Leadership 

The director of Theater Zuidplein has a broad background in the arts and culture and a clear affinity for the performing arts. You understand how cultural organizations operate within a public and social context and know how to integrate artistic ambitions, organizational structure, and the surrounding environment.

You are a visible and approachable leader. You invest in lasting relationships, are decisive, have a genuine interest in people, and create an open, welcoming atmosphere for creators, partners, the public, and colleagues. You also communicate clearly about expectations and boundaries.

You have an eye for quality and for people. You encourage commitment and professionalism, empower professionals, and ensure structure and cohesion.

You are familiar with the Rijnmond region, particularly Rotterdam South, or you have a proven ability to quickly familiarize yourself with an urban context. You interact carefully and persuasively with the City of Rotterdam and other public partners, and you know how to reconcile political, administrative, social, and cultural interests.

Position and Governance

The Executive Director serves as the statutory chair of the board of the Theater Zuidplein Foundation, alongside the Managing Director. The executive team comprehensively evaluates artistic, social, and business perspectives and translates these into strategic direction and policy.

The management team is accountable to the supervisory board and works with it in a constructive and transparent manner. Thanks to your extensive experience, you have a keen sense of political and administrative dynamics and/or an affinity for governance; you understand the division of roles between management and supervision.

We offer

We offer an inspiring and high-profile role at the intersection of the arts, society, and entrepreneurship. The position of Executive Director is classified in accordance with the Remuneration Guidelines for Directors of Private Theaters and Concert Halls and the Dutch Performing Arts Collective Bargaining Agreement at scale 9d (ranging from €7,086.65 to €9,939.64 per month for a full-time 36-hour workweek). You will be offered a one-year contract with the intention of converting it to a permanent contract.

 Employee benefits:

• 5 weeks of vacation leave (or: 180 hours based on a 36-hour workweek)
• 8% vacation pay
• 1.65% year-end bonus
• Travel allowance for commuting between home and work for distances of 5 km or more one way
• A solid pension plan through the ABP
• Opportunities for professional development
• 20% off at our restaurant, Zed
• Free tickets to our performances
• Loaned laptop

Interested?

The Supervisory Board of Theater Zuidplein is being advised by Colourful People in this recruitment process. For more information about the organization and the position, please contact Hatice Türkmen, senior partner at Colourful People, at 06 46 08 12 32.

If you are interested in this exciting role, please submit your resume and cover letterby March 6 at the latestvia the application form on theColourfulPeople website. The preliminary interviews will take place on March 10 and 11 (online), and the final interviews are scheduled for March 25 and 31.