Managing Director

Introduction

The Z-O-U-T Library (South-East Utrecht) comprises the libraries of the municipalities of Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Renswoude, Rhenen, and Wijk bij Duurstede. The Z-O-U-T Library offers much more than just books. By providing both physical and digital spaces for reading, learning, gathering information, and socializing, Z-O-U-T focuses on fostering participation for all residents and also comes up with innovative solutions. The Z-O-U-T libraries are welcoming meeting places where you are constantly surprised, informed, and inspired. There are a total of eleven public branches and one school media library.

Through comprehensive collaboration within local networks, the library aims to make a meaningful contribution to ensuring that all residents have the opportunity to participate fully in society. This means being proficient in language and digital skills and feeling like an integral part of the community and your immediate surroundings. The Z-O-U-T Library provides a space for people to meet, serves as a guide, and promotes basic skills.

To achieve all of this, the Z-O-U-T Library offers a wide range of opportunities through:

• Physical locations for meeting, learning/developing, and gathering information;
• Online offerings, from reference materials to courses;
• Cultural offerings, including through the Heuvelrug Cultural Centers and cultural coaches in Wijk bij Duurstede and Utrechtse Heuvelrug;
• Training and guidance on improving basic (digital) language skills through Language Centers and Digital Government Information Points
• Collaborating with regional partners to promote a love of reading and reading skills through schools and daycare centers.

Profile

The Z-O-U-T Library stands for Open, Transparent, Innovative, Customer-Focused, Accessible, and Flexible. Due to the retirement of the current director-manager, the Z-O-U-T Library’s Board of Trustees is seeking a new director-manager to begin in the fall of 2023.

A strategically and relationally strong leader with a keen eye for the organization, its environment, and its social functions. Possessing innovative abilities, a unifying personality, and a deep passion for language, culture, and well-being. The director-administrator bears ultimate responsibility for the governance, development, management, positioning, and substantive, policy, and financial performance of the Z-O-U-T Library.

Assignments

The Executive Director is primarily responsible for developing substantive policy, translating the needs of clients, municipalities, and community partners into innovative initiatives, and further developing the organization’s social mission. The Executive Director serves as the public face of the organization and builds internal support by showing care, attention, and flexibility toward employees and processes.

Key priorities for the new director-manager include striving for greater diversity among users, while continuing to provide excellent service to current library patrons.

Other tasks include ensuring financial stability, attracting and retaining qualified staff, positioning the Z-O-U-T Library within the social landscape, and making the right choices in light of the many expectations that municipalities and users have of libraries.

Purpose of the position

• Develops a vision and strategy to respond appropriately and in a customer-focused manner to developments in the library sector;
• Establishes policy, ensures its implementation, and safeguards the continuity of the organization;
• Has ultimate responsibility for the board;
• Gives operational managers autonomy and responsibility and focuses on results;
• Coordinates both the qualitative and quantitative allocation of personnel and resources, as well as communication among these individuals;
• Periodically reports to the Supervisory Board on the organization’s results and progress;
• Keeps municipalities, visitors, and other library stakeholders informed and involved.

Position within the organization

Under the established executive charter, the Executive Director bears ultimate responsibility for the management and governance of the organization. Oversight of this management and governance is exercised by the Supervisory Board, which monitors the organization’s policy and development from a distance and serves in an advisory capacity in this regard. The Supervisory Board acts as the employer of the director-manager and retains independent authority in accordance with the specific powers set forth in the articles of incorporation.

Education and work experience requirements

• College or university-level thinking and working skills;
• Knowledge of and insight into developments in the library and social services sectors;
• Knowledge of the political and administrative context;
• Several years of experience in a managerial role focused on policy development and implementation within a politically and administratively sensitive environment;
• Experience leading during a process of renewal and change.

Skills

• Leadership;
• Vision and strategic ability;
• Empathy;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Communication skills;
• Analytical skills;
• Being alert to opportunities;
• Strategic networker;
• Administrative effectiveness;
• Results-oriented;

Information and Procedure

The Board of Trustees of the Z-O-U-T Library is being assisted in this process by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more information, please contact Winfred Voordendag, senior partner at Colourful People, at 06-28284706. Please submit your cover letter and resume by Friday, May 5, 2023, via the Colourful People website.

There will be two rounds of interviews. The interviews will be held on: Tuesday, May 30(^1st round) and Tuesday, June 6 (^2nd round). A reference check will be part of the process.

Compensation in accordance with the Libraries Collective Labor Agreement, scale 13. The Cultural Governance code is followed. Bibliotheek Z-O-U-T is an organization for everyone where we embrace the greatest variety of people. We believe that diversity is the foundation of creativity, relevance, and innovation. We therefore warmly invite anyone interested to apply.