Director of Public Order and Safety

This is your job

Together with the mayor and the partners in the tripartite collaboration (the municipality, the police, and the Public Prosecution Service), you will shape the municipality’s coordinating role within the security sector, firmly embedding public order and safety on both the political and social agendas. You will work closely with the police and the Public Prosecution Service to achieve shared goals and effectively implement policy. You maintain active contact with external partners and focus on collaboration and strengthening relationships within Utrecht’s security network and beyond. Your work includes combating polarization, supporting vulnerable groups, and addressing complex challenges such as sovereign citizens, drug-related, or digital crime. In doing so, you will deal with complex and sometimes invisible dividing lines in society. You will seek solutions that, on the one hand, offer perspective and, on the other hand, set clear boundaries.

With empathy and decisiveness, you respond effectively to public sentiment in the city. You demonstrate that the municipality can be both a helpful partner and a force for change. Together with your management team, you tackle complex issues, such as the increase in people exhibiting disoriented behavior and the challenges surrounding their return to the city after being in a closed facility. You develop solutions that are both humane and effective.

In this role, you will work closely with Mayor Sharon Dijksma. You will build a strong relationship based on trust, in which you will provide support and advice and make strategic decisions together. Flexibility is crucial, including working outside regular office hours and on-call duties. Read more here about ourSafety Agenda 2023–2026and thepolicy document “Setting Boundaries, Offering Perspective.” You will play a key role in the municipal crisis management team.

As Director of Public Order and Safety, you are part of the municipality’s senior management team. As such, you are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the Public Order and Safety organization and its day-to-day management. You report directly to the Municipal Secretary and work closely with senior officials (the municipal executive board and your fellow directors). Together, you are responsible for municipality-wide issues.

This is your workspace

You’ll be working in the heart of Utrecht, one of the fastest-growing cities in the Netherlands. From our modern city office, located next to Utrecht Central Station, you’ll work on solutions for complex safety issues. Here, you’ll work in an environment that fosters collaboration and a sense of community, with room for everyone’s background and perspective. Utrecht offers the dynamism of a major city with its associated challenges and opportunities, such as in the areas of safety, quality of life, and sustainability. At the same time, the municipality supports hybrid work, allowing you to switch flexibly between the office and home.

You will lead a division comprising 170 professionals through six experienced, people-oriented, and content-driven management team members. In addition, in your capacity as a municipal manager, you will serve as the supervisor for the head ofthe RIEC Midden-Nederlandand the headof the Care and Safety House for the Utrecht Region.  You play a key role in strengthening inclusion and diversity within your team and the broader organization, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and that talents are fully realized.

This is your input

Utrecht needs your skills. Your experience and leadership make a difference in the security sector. In addition to an affinity for the security sector and your ability to tackle complex challenges both strategically and operationally, we are looking for someone with a relevant network and the following qualities:

• Political and administrative acumen: You navigate the dynamics of a political and administrative environment with ease, where diverse interests and complex issues converge. You clarify expectations and roles and build support among various stakeholders. As a key link within the triangle, you hold people accountable for their responsibilities and strengthen collaboration.
• Leadership: You are a leader who does not shy away from difficult conversations and decisions. You encourage your team to take responsibility and continue to grow. With empathy and a focus on results, you create a culture in which team members feel comfortable holding each other accountable and taking ownership.
• Vision for the security sector: You have a keen eye for trends such as polarization, subversion, violent incidents, and declining equality of opportunity. You translate these challenges into policies that are both strategically sound and practically feasible. You incorporate feedback from the front lines into your plans and inspire your management team to implement effective and efficient solutions.
• Stress resilience: You continue to perform effectively under pressure. In crisis situations, you act quickly and thoughtfully, even outside regular working hours. You maintain a clear overview in hectic situations and provide stability and confidence to your team and the board.

Here's what we offer you

At the City of Utrecht, you’ll work in a dynamic and inclusive environment where you’ll have the opportunity to help make the city safer and to further your own professional development. We offer:

• Attractive employment terms: A gross monthly salary between €7,529 and €10,662 (pay scale 17), depending on your experience, and an Individual Choice Budget (ICB) of 17.05%.
• Work-life balance and flexibility: A permanent employment contract, with a four-year term of appointment as Director of OOV. Following this, an evaluation will take place to jointly assess whether this role is still a good fit for you and the organization.
• Growth and development: Access to leadership training, coaching programs, and courses that align with your career goals.
• A modern and inclusive workplace: In addition to a pleasant and safe work environment, we provide space for your personal values through quiet rooms for religious practice and moments of reflection.

This is good to know

Do you see yourself in this role? If so, please apply by January 26. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.Click here for a more detailed job description.

Procedure:
The selection process consists of three to four rounds of interviews, a possible assessment, an enhanced integrity screening, and an interview with Mayor Dijksma. Please note that^{the first}interviews will take place on February 6 (all day) and^{the second}interviews on February 13 (morning). Any follow-up interviews are scheduled for March 6 (morning). The assessment will take place on February 21 or 24.

This position involves a significantly higher risk profile, which means we place particular emphasis on the integrity of our employees. For this reason, you will undergo an additional screening prior to starting work and must submit a valid Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG). The screening is a prerequisite for employment with the City of Utrecht. This means that you cannot start without successfully completing the screening and/or without a valid Certificate of Good Conduct.

Want to learn more?
Please contact Jan Willem de Boer, Senior Corporate Recruiter, at 06 1829 1753. You can also reach him via text message. We look forward to meeting you and working together to build a safer and more inclusive Utrecht!

Acquisition

Recruitment agencies are asked to refrain from contacting us regarding this job opening.

We are recruiting our new colleague directly through this job posting. Therefore, sales calls from recruitment agencies are not necessary. Clickhereto register on our Marktplein platform for our temporary staffing assignments.