Director of Strategy & Support

The organization

For many years, Windesheim has been ranked among the top two universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands. The university is known as an inspiring employer with an inclusive and open culture, where equality and connection between students and staff are central. With more than 25,500 students, 75 programs, and six knowledge centers, Windesheim is a leading knowledge institution that makes an impact in education, research, the region, and society. Windesheim has campuses in Zwolle and Almere and employs approximately 3,000 staff members.

The executive team consists of five division directors, two department directors, two members of the Executive Board, and the executive secretary. As a member of Windesheim’s executive team, the Director of Strategy & Support actively contributes to Windesheim-wide strategy and development. In addition, the director serves as a key advisor to the Executive Board and plays an active role in external networks and national partnerships.

Within the department, you will lead a team of four managers who are responsible for the Policy & Quality division in the areas of education and research, Student Affairs & Services, Human Resources, and Marketing & Communications. Together, the department’s more than 260 employees contribute to Windesheim’s objectives by providing advice and support, in partnership with the academic divisions and the Operations department.

You will play an active role in the continued development of Windesheim as a progressive and forward-looking organization. You will work to establish a strong strategic link between education, research, and social issues. In doing so, you will proactively engage with employee representative bodies and foster constructive collaboration.

Personality Profile

The Director of Strategy & Support is a strategic and collaborative leader with a clear vision for the future of higher education, practice-oriented research, and organizational development. With a keen understanding of administrative dynamics and a well-developed sense of collaboration, you are able to translate strategic themes into concrete, achievable, and widely supported plans. You have the ability to get to the heart of complex issues and know how to translate them into clear frameworks that provide direction without becoming bureaucratic. You are analytically strong, work in a structured manner, and think in terms of clear processes and frameworks. At the same time, you are results-oriented and know how to translate complex strategic issues into concrete and achievable goals. You maintain an overview, monitor progress, and focus on measurable impact, employing an efficient approach without adding unnecessary complexity. You have a keen eye for data-driven decision-making and know how to effectively translate strategic goals into practice. In doing so, you have a well-developed sense of the bigger societal picture and contribute to the development of Windesheim with both your head and your heart.

You are able to bring people and disciplines together and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure innovation and quality improvement in a sustainable way. You possess great perseverance and understand that structural change requires patience and strategic flexibility. With a strong strategic focus, you work to develop a learning organization that provides room for experimentation, reflection, and improvement. You know how to initiate change and have the tenacity to ensure it takes root within the organization. You operate with visible leadership while also making an impact behind the scenes by facilitating and accelerating processes. You feel at home at the intersection of strategy and operations and know when to steer and when to facilitate.

In addition to strong analytical skills, you possess excellent communication skills and are able to reconcile different interests. You play an active role in regional and national networks and know how to position Windesheim externally as an innovative and forward-thinking university of applied sciences. You know how to build support and are able to rally others around a shared ambition, fostering an inspiring and stimulating work culture. You switch effortlessly between strategic developments and operational realities and, through authority, vision, and collaboration, know how to motivate people toward a common goal.

Our goals

The following goals and challenges will be central in the coming years:

• Agility in a changing educational landscape:The impact of digitization and hybrid learning environments calls for a president who understands the future of education and can guide Windesheim in this direction. Strategic decisions must be flexible and future-proof.
• Balancing distinctiveness and strategic coherence:Windesheim has a strong, distinct identity within each field. The challenge is to respect this distinctiveness while simultaneously creating strategic coherence that strengthens the university as a whole.
• Strategic positioning and social impact:Windesheim aims to be a pioneer in social transitions and an active partner in the region and beyond. This requires a director who can help position Windesheim as a university of applied sciences that makes a difference in sustainability, social innovation, and labor market developments.
• Strengthening Lifelong Learning (LLL):The growing competition in the educational market calls for a clear vision of how Windesheim can establish a sustainable position as a partner for working professionals and businesses.
• Maintaining a robust financial and administrative structure:Funding for higher education is under pressure. The director must stay the course despite a clear reduction in available resources.

What are we looking for?

• Connective Leadership: Weare looking for a director who is able to build connections within the organization and beyond in a natural and effective way. You have a keen understanding of the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and know how to motivate different teams and stakeholders to tackle complex issues together. As an inspiring leader, you are able to look beyond boundaries and foster collaboration across departments, disciplines, and external partners. At the same time, you remain focused on achieving results.
• Vision and the ability to drive change: Youpossess patience and perseverance, recognizing that true renewal and innovation take time. You understand how to initiate and sustain change, even when results aren’t immediately visible. You do this with a clear vision and strategic insight, enabling you to make decisive decisions while retaining the flexibility to adjust course when necessary.
• Administrative and strategic insight: Youranalytical skills and keen administrative instincts enable you to accurately assess strategic issues and political dynamics and respond to them effectively. With a well-developed sense of governance and an understanding of the dynamics within a large educational organization, you know how to translate complex issues into clear, actionable plans.
• People-centered and impactful leadership: Whatsets you apart is that you don’t just lead with your head, but also with your heart. You care about the people both within and outside Windesheim and contribute to an organization that not only delivers results but also makes a social impact. You understand that leadership is often invisible, but that real change frequently happens behind the scenes. You are willing to lay a solid foundation upon which others can build and excel, even if this is not always in the spotlight.
• Strategic leadership and decisiveness: Youhave experience with strategic leadership and developing frameworks that provide direction without limiting the organization’s flexibility and distinctiveness. You thrive in a dynamic environment where advising and leading go hand in hand, and you know how to effectively combine strategic thinking with operational decisiveness.
• Educational innovation and networking:You alsohave a strong affinity for educational innovation and quality assurance. You understand developments in higher education and know how to position Windesheim in a future-proof manner. With excellent communication skills, you play an active role in regional and national networks. You understand how to strengthen Windesheim’s position and leverage partnerships to enhance the impact and quality of education. 

Terms of Employment

The gross monthly salary for a full-time position ranges from a minimum of €7,006 to a maximum of €9,046 (CLA-HBO, scale 15). Windesheim offers excellent benefits, including a thirteenth month’s salary, full reimbursement of public transportation costs, and access to sports facilities.

Interested?

Are you enthusiastic and do you see yourself as the new Director of Strategy & Support? Windesheim is working with the recruitment and selection firm Colourful People on this process. If you have any questions, please contact René Burgler atr.burgler@colourfulpeople.nlor 06 2857 5436.

Please submit your cover letter and resume by April 22 at the latest using the application button onwww.colourfulpeople.nl. We plan to complete the hiring process in May.

• The first round of selection interviews at Windesheim will take place on May 12 or 14
• The second round of selection interviews at Windesheim will take place on May 23
• The meeting with the Appointments Advisory Committee (BAC) is on May 26

To ensure an objective and thorough recruitment and selection process, we ask that you address the following questions in your cover letter:

• What appeals to you most about Windesheim University of Applied Sciences’ vision and social mission?
• How do you build support for complex strategic changes within a diverse organization with varying interests?
• How do you ensure interdisciplinary collaboration and strategic coherence between education, research, and societal issues?
• What is your leadership style, and how do you use it to inspire and motivate people and teams while also driving them toward results?