Director

In the coming years, there will be a number of challenges, such as:

• Labor market and demographic trends, in which the labor market is becoming increasingly tight and the metalworking sector aims to retain existing employees and welcome newcomers to the industry (ranging from recent graduates to lateral entrants from other countries and sectors). In addition to the role of companies in the SME metal sector when it comes to learning and development, there is also a growing role for employees to take charge of their own development.
• Digital developments in the industry. For small and medium-sized metalworking businesses operating in both national and international contexts, it is of the utmost importance to adopt a forward-looking approach. In this regard, OOM plays a key role in promoting lifelong learning and supporting craftsmanship within the sector.
• Internally, the agency faces the ongoing challenge of staying up to date with digital trends, remaining innovative, and continuing to provide value to the sector. Part of this involves developing a new strategic plan for the period after 2025.
• Promote collaboration with other R&D funds (particularly in the field of technology) and with public and private actors in the field of training and development, and consolidate OOM’s position.

As a director, you have a clear vision of learning and development, and you know how to prepare the board’s decisions and translate them into concrete actions. You are results-oriented and ensure that the organization can implement these decisions. In addition to your executive role, you serve as an advisor to the board, and with your political and administrative skills, you guide the board in such a way that well-considered decisions can be made.

As OOM’s primary point of contact, you communicate openly and transparently and maintain a visible presence among the companies affiliated with OOM. You also represent the sector in various partnerships, such as with social partners, other R&D funds, and government departments. Collaboration is a top priority for you. OOM’s tripartite nature requires political sensitivity and a strong personality. This means you have a deep understanding of the wishes and needs of the various stakeholders and can play a key role in reaching agreements and compromises.

With your sociable yet professional demeanor, you know how to connect with people and understand the dynamics of the industry from both the employer’s and the employee’s perspective. You have an affinity for small and medium-sized businesses and the industry.

As a manager, you operate on the basis of trust. Your vision of learning and development is also reflected in the way you lead. You are a coach, results-oriented, and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills. With great enthusiasm and a spirit of innovation, you tackle the challenges described above. You have the courage to develop new ideas and concepts (or have them developed) and to challenge people in the organization to bring out the best in themselves.

You possess the following competencies and skills:

• Vision/big-picture view,
• Political and administrative sensitivity,
• Coaching leadership,
• Focused on collaboration and networking,
• Forward-thinking and entrepreneurial,
• Integer,
• Communication skills.

The ideal candidate is a reliable individual with a clear strategic vision, who knows how to bring people and organizations together and can inspire those around them. You are able to take the lead and stand your ground, while remaining attentive to the people around you. You are familiar with monitoring an organization’s financial health and know how to navigate between the organization and the board, always keeping accessibility for everyone as a priority.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing the operational structure in close collaboration with the Management Team; as the director with ultimate responsibility, you will guide the successful operation of the professional organization and its employees;
• Advisor to the board; in this role, you will provide advice, facilitate processes, and prepare and implement board decisions. In addition, you will report to the board and ensure that the division of responsibilities between the board and management is maintained;
• Fund Management; the primary responsibility is to oversee the process of translating board decisions into concrete actions through a multi-year strategic plan. You ensure that trends and developments are identified and translated into an organizational strategy. You oversee the preparation of a budget that can then be approved by the board. And you monitor progress. Stability and continuity are key elements;
• External representation; as a representative of OOM, you will build a relevant network and contribute to effective collaboration with stakeholders.

About OOM

The metalworking industry in the Netherlands is a vital sector comprising a wide variety of companies (including SMEs), products, professions, and employees. Approximately 160,000 people are employed by some 14,000 companies, supplemented by a pool of temporary workers.

It is the skilled professionals who make a company what it is. With their enthusiasm, flexibility, and creativity, they make the seemingly impossible possible, thereby helping the company move forward in an innovative and productive way. A sufficient influx of skilled professionals and their ongoing development are crucial to the vitality of companies and the sector.

Vitality and craftsmanship go hand in hand. To this end, OOM supports employers and employees in training and development. Through individual support, joint initiatives, and a robust training infrastructure, there are opportunities for everyone in the SME metal sector.

What do we offer?

• A dynamic and entrepreneurial role in which you can truly make a difference in learning and development within the SME metal sector;
• A professional, independent, and inspiring team to work with;
• An exciting and diverse field where no two days are the same;
• A salary commensurate with the responsibilities of the position, based on full-time employment;
• Employee benefits.

Interested?

OOM is working with the executive search firm Colourful People to fill this position. For more information about the role or the application process, please contact Hatice Turkmen, a partner at Colourful People (06-46081232) or h.turkmen@colourfulpeople.nl. You can express your interest by uploading your cover letter and resume (in PDF format) by June 1, 2024, via the “Apply” button at the bottom of this page. Once your application has been successfully uploaded, you will receive a confirmation email. Didn’t receive it? Please contact Hatice Türkmen. Confidential treatment of your information is, of course, guaranteed.

Schedule

The preliminary interviews will be held on June 4 and 5. The selection interviews at OOM will be held on June 17 and 21.

Sales calls are not appreciated.