Director of Operations & External Affairs

About

SRO is a publicly driven organization, with the municipalities of Haarlem and Amersfoort as shareholders. Guided by a social mission, SRO manages, maintains, and operates sports and community facilities—ranging from swimming pools and sports halls to neighborhood sports facilities and multifunctional venues. In addition, SRO encourages residents to engage in sustainable physical activity and lead healthy lives. As such, the organization operates at the intersection of social challenges, real estate, operations, sports, health, and public collaboration.

After a period of growth and development, SRO has entered a new phase. A phase in which further professionalization, clear decisions, collaboration, trust, and future-proof positioning are central. This calls for a leader who stays the course, knows how to engage employees in the change process, and at the same time remains visible and approachable within the organization.

We are looking for

The Executive Board consists of two members and operates on the basis of collegial governance. For the role of Director of Operations & External Affairs, we are seeking a leader who is naturally at home in the public and political-administrative arena and who is also highly skilled in operational execution and organizational development.

The driver:

• strengthens SRO’s positioning vis-à-vis municipalities, partners, and societal stakeholders;
• translates strategy into concrete results in day-to-day practice;
• brings structure, clarity, and a sense of ownership to a growing organization;
• promotes collaboration, approachability, and professional development;
• moves seamlessly between the board, the organization, municipalities, associations, and users;
• understands the dynamics of a results-oriented organization with multiple locations and teams.

At the same time, this phase of SRO calls for a leader who can take a fresh look at the organization and create opportunities for further development, innovation, and professional growth. Someone who dares to challenge existing patterns, strengthens collaboration, and contributes to a culture where ownership, open communication, accountability, and continuous development are second nature.

We are looking for a visible and unifying leader with natural authority. Someone who is approachable and accessible to employees at all levels of the organization, while also excelling at building lasting relationships with municipalities, shareholders, and other public stakeholders. A leader who provides direction, dares to make decisions, and knows how to build trust both within and outside the organization. The role requires someone who understands how social value, sound business practices, and public responsibility are interconnected and who can translate this into clear choices, future-proof collaboration, and concrete results in daily practice.

In the coming years, SRO faces significant challenges in the areas of sustainability, digitalization, changing sports behavior, labor shortages, and further organizational development. That is why we are seeking an executive with vision, the ability to execute, and a capacity for change. A leader who not only looks at today but also charts a course for how SRO will continue to develop and position itself as a meaningful social partner over the next ten years.

Interested?

For more information, please refer to the detailed profile on the Colourful People website, which provides further details on the context, scope, governance, and desired leadership style.

SRO is being assisted in this process by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more information, please contact René Burgler-Roga, a partner at Colourful People, directly at r.burgler@colourfulpeople.nl or by phone at 06-28 57 54 36.

You can apply via the application form on the Colourful People website.