Director of the Institute for Movement Studies

Your responsibilities

The Institute for Movement Studies (IBS) trains physical therapists and exercise therapists. In recent years, the institute has made significant strides in linking education with professional practice. The integration of practice-oriented research—achieved through, among other things, intensive collaboration with the Knowledge Center for Healthy and Sustainable Living and significant student involvement—is extensive and of a high quality. With this distinctive approach and quality, the institute ranks among the best in the Netherlands and has genuine international ambitions.

A key task for the future is to translate societal developments across the entire healthcare sector into the educational curriculum, including by continuously adapting the curriculum to current events. Opportunities for this lie in the connection with HU’s areas of expertise, such as Learning Together and Healthy Together, where crossovers between the various fields can be further developed and expanded to the other domains, Digital Together and Sustainable Together.

You will leverage your experience and knowledge of the healthcare sector to establish a leading national presence and international visibility, and to engage managers and staff in the institution’s ongoing development, thereby advancing the established strategy for knowledge sharing. You will do this in close collaboration with external stakeholders and internal stakeholders such as the examination board, the employee representative body, and the professional practice committees.

As Director of the Institute for Movement Studies, you and the management team are responsible for working together to bridge the gap between education, research, and professional practice. You inspire staff and engage them in your vision for developments in the healthcare sector. In HU’s vision for education and research, HU aims to bring the worlds of education, research, and professional practice together into a playing field that encompasses more than the sum of its three parts. Only through an interprofessional approach can we contribute to the societal transitions necessary for addressing complex issues. Together with our partners, the institute is committed to developing new forms of collaboration to prepare young professionals for transitions in society.

Naturally, you are responsible for acting in accordance with HU’s core values and IBS’s mission and vision, as well as for realizing and implementing the institute’s plans within the context of HU’s overarching frameworks. You have final responsibility for the institute’s operations (including financial and educational logistics) and the Human Capital agenda within the institute. You ensure a safe and professional work environment, with a focus on the well-being of students and staff. Additionally, as part of the HU’s team of directors, you contribute to the further development of HU as a whole based on your expertise and experience. In this role, you are visible and accessible to the institute’s staff and students and strive for high student satisfaction.

What we offer you

• You will receive a one-year employment contract (D3) for a full-time position (1.0 FTE) with the prospect of a permanent position.
• A gross monthly salary of up to €7,940 (pay grade 15) for full-time employment.
• An 8% vacation bonus.
• A guaranteed year-end bonus of 8.3%.

We offer excellent opportunities for learning and professional development. We also provide great perks, such as our bicycle plan and discounts on insurance, software, and sports facilities, among other things.

What you have

Of course, we want you to succeed in your new role. To assess whether we can offer you a suitable position that you can successfully fulfill, we would like to read more in your cover letter about your strategic and substantive vision regarding the challenges facing the healthcare sector and higher professional education. We are interested in your views on education and research, as well as your perspective on how issues from the professional field can be translated into an education and research agenda.

We would like to see the following in your resume:

• You have completed a master’s degree and, preferably, hold a Ph.D. in a field relevant to the institute.
• Have an affinity for and a vision regarding (education in) the field.
• Ideally, you are a regional and national leader in the field.
• You have several years of experience in a senior management position and are skilled at leading and mentoring professionals in a changing organization and developing teams.
• You have successfully completed initiatives to drive innovation and improve quality, in collaboration with your employees.
• You have a proven track record of successfully initiating and maintaining effective and productive partnerships, both within and outside the organization.

Who you are

You are a strong and capable partner who builds connections, thinks in terms of opportunities, identifies pain points, and takes action to address them. You know how to inspire people through your presentation skills, personal conviction, and charisma. Additionally:

• Work with the management team to develop a vision and a strategy for achieving the established goals.
• You will provide direction to keep the institute on track and support and guide your colleagues based on Utrecht University of Applied Sciences’ management philosophy. Inclusivity, trust in each other’s strengths, transparency, and working and learning in teams are key concepts in this regard.
• Do you embrace and support change and innovation, and help those around you adapt to changing circumstances, tasks, and responsibilities?
• You are able to adapt your roles and communication styles across different levels and with various internal and external stakeholders in order to achieve the goals.
• You are willing to place your trust in others and delegate responsibilities, and you are approachable.

Work Environment

The Institute for Movement Studies is one of the 21 institutes within the Utrecht University of Applied Sciences foundation. In addition, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences has 4 knowledge centers and 6 support services.

The Institute for Movement Studies (IBS) currently offers bachelor’s programs in Physical Therapy and Cesar Exercise Therapy, as well as a Master’s in Physical Therapy (Geriatric Physical Therapy, Pediatric Physical Therapy, Manual Therapy, Sports Physical Therapy, Psychosomatic Physical Therapy) and a Master’s in Physical Therapy and Innovation in Movement Care. In addition, the institute conducts various contract activities and pursues several lines of research.

In this role, you will report to the Executive Board. Your direct supervisor will be one of the members of the Executive Board.

Apply

Are you excited?

HU/IVV is working with the executive search firm Colourful People for recruitment and selection. Sandra Lutchman, Esq., a senior partner at Colourful People, would be happy to provide you with more information about the organization, the position, and/or the application process. You can contact her via WhatsApp at 06 407 44 074.

Important dates:

• The application deadline for this position is November 8 at 5:00 p.m.
• The online preliminary interviews with Sandra Lutchman are scheduled for November 9 between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• The interview with the selection committee is scheduled to take place in Utrecht on November 29 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• The interviews with the Appointments Advisory Committee are scheduled to take place in Utrecht on December 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A selection committee and an appointment advisory committee (BAC) will be established for this vacancy. The BAC will advise the selection committee on the suitability of a candidate for the vacant position.

A background check, a digital verification of diplomas and identification documents, and the application for a Certificate of Good Conduct are part of the procedure.

An assessment may be part of the process.

Are you interested?

You can upload your resume and cover letter via the Colourful People website.

In selecting candidates for this position, HU/IVV is committed to increasing diversity, particularly with regard to cultural background and connections with younger generations. Candidates who believe they can contribute to this effort are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information about working at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, please visit www.werkenbijhu.nl.

The application procedure can be found in the application guidelines on our website, https://werkenbijhu.nl/arbeidsvoorwaarden.Hier, which also includes a link to the collective bargaining agreement for higher professional education.