Executive Secretary

Who are we?

Stadsschouwburg Utrecht is one of the largest theaters in the Netherlands. We present a wide range of national and international performances across all genres. We also organize special projects, often in collaboration with other venues, festivals, and companies in Utrecht. In addition, our historic building is available for rent.

We have two theater halls (the Main Hall and the Blue Hall), a café (Mevr. Dudok), and a theater restaurant (Zindering). We welcome more than 200,000 visitors each year. We work closely with the Dutch performing arts community, and with Utrecht-based companies, festivals, and institutions in particular. We also support local Utrecht artists and are strongly committed to education and talent development. We believe it is important that everyone feels welcome. Sustainability, equality, reciprocity, and complementarity are central to this.

What will you be doing?

• You are responsible for preparing, taking minutes, and following up on the meeting schedule for the Supervisory Board, the Board of Directors, the Executive Board, the management team, and the Works Council.
• You will monitor the progress of the multi-year policy plan, draft and monitor annual plans, and ensure structured follow-up on actions and decisions.
• You will assist the managing director in his duties, particularly with regard to cross-departmental projects, policy and business developments, and client relations.
• You will advise the CEO and the management team on policy and strategic matters.
• You identify opportunities for organizational development, including the optimization of work processes.
• You are familiar with the external policy environment (municipality, Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, national government, etc.) and relevant national trends in the cultural sector.
• You will be responsible for the internal communication plan and will assist with its implementation.

Who are you?

• You connect easily with others and work in a structured manner, even when there’s a lot going on at once.
• You are analytical, have a keen sense of organizational dynamics, and are decisive; you have a good sense of what’s going on, where the priorities lie, and what’s needed.
• You have a way with words and can explain complex information clearly.
• You are a fully-fledged and capable counterpart to the CEO.
• You work independently, communicate clearly, and take the initiative.
• You have an affinity for or interest in the cultural sector. Experience is a plus, but certainly not a requirement.

What do we offer you?

A versatile and varied role for 20–24 hours per week in a fun and inspiring workplace with close-knit colleagues and an enthusiastic team. We strive for diversity in every department and create an environment where everyone can be themselves.

You will report to the Executive Director and work alongside an executive secretariat that provides organizational and practical support to the Executive Director.

You will be offered a fixed-term employment contract (one year) with the option to extend. You will receive a competitive salary commensurate with your knowledge and experience, in pay scale 7 of the Dutch Performing Arts Collective Labor Agreement (min. €3,175.19 – max. €4,456.67). In addition, there are attractive benefits, such as:

• Training and opportunities for personal development; everyone at our company is given equal opportunities to grow and develop.
• Awareness training and fostering open communication; we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and engaged.
• A travel expense policy.
• Attractive retirement plan.
• You can attend many performances for free, and you can bring a guest.

Are you excited about this job?

If you’re looking for a place where you can be yourself, develop your talents, and contribute to a positive and inclusive work environment, we warmly invite you to apply. Even if you don’t meet all the job requirements but believe you can make a meaningful contribution, we still warmly invite you to apply.

You can apply until September 7, 2025, at the latest, using the application form on our website (see link).

For more information about this position, please contact Sewan Mumcuyan at directiesecretariaat@ssbu.nl and/or 030-2324107.

You will receive a response by phone or email within 7 days of the job posting’s closing date. The first interviews are scheduled for September 15, 16, and/or 17, 2025. The second interviews are scheduled for September 22 and 23, 2025.

Finally, there will be a discussion of the terms of employment.

We encourage anyone who sees this as an opportunity to apply, regardless of your background.

We value diversity

The power of theater brings people together. We place great value on diversity at all levels of the organization, and all colleagues are equal members of the theater team. We welcome everyone; we’re curious to learn about your talents and how you can make a difference for our organization. We’re looking for new colleagues who want to help build an inclusive Stadsschouwburg Utrecht. You’re welcome here!