Managing Director

Kinetisch Noord Foundation (SKN)

The Kinetisch Noord Foundation (SKN) owns and manages the historic NDSM LOODS, a cultural hub and studio complex housed in a former shipbuilding warehouse. With 20,000 m² of floor space and soaring ceilings, the NDSM LOODS is an iconic landmark at the NDSM shipyard on the IJ in Amsterdam North. Since the 1990s, this site has been transformed into an experimental haven for art and culture and a home for a wide range of cultural programs. The NDSM LOODS is a workspace, experimental hub, and meeting place for artists, artisans, creatives, and makers, serving as both an exhibition space and an event venue.

The warehouse houses a variety of functions, including Kunststad, an artist collective with approximately 80 studios and more than 200 artists and creators. In addition, there is the NDSM FUSE exhibition space, the NDSM THEATER with a theater café, and the IJVER café-restaurant. There is also a large semi-public space that SKN rents out for a variety of cultural events and public-facing activities, such as (dance) festivals, music and theater performances, markets, conferences, and photo shoots.

In addition to its primary objective focused on the creative hub, SKN will also be developing a broader cultural mission in the coming years. SKN has recently adopted a new organizational model featuring a Supervisory Board and an Executive Director who works in close consultation with a nine-member Loods Council selected from the diverse tenant community. Together, they are developing an open organizational and consultative structure with minimal hierarchy that fits well with the diverse community of the NDSM LOODS and with a bottom-up, democratic approach where equality and collaboration are key values.

Managing Director

As general director, the managing director is responsible for the day-to-day management of Stichting Kinetisch Noord and, consequently, for the preservation, management, and development of the NDSM LOODS. The Executive Director directly manages the SKN team. The current team consists of a coordinator for long-term rentals/executive assistant, a coordinator for short-term rentals and events, a manager, and a secretary for the Loodsraad. This staff may be expanded in the near future to further realize the foundation’s ambitions. The staff also facilitates meetings with the Supervisory Board and the Loodsraad and coordinates the associated organizational and secretarial tasks. The Executive Director reports to the Supervisory Board. 

The Executive Director is committed to achieving the foundation’s objectives through strategic policy, by providing comprehensive leadership of the organization, and by fostering an open organizational and consultative structure. This approach is based on a bottom-up methodology. A key principle in this regard is the equality and collaboration among the various stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• has final responsibility for the day-to-day management of the organization and is fully responsible for the overall strategy
  
• is responsible for the ongoing development of a strategic business and policy plan for the future, includinga widely supported cultural vision, guided by the multi-year cultural policy plan (2025–2028)
• establishes and maintains strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders
  
• promotes connection, synergy, and co-creation both within De Loods and with external partners
  
• ensures a responsible balance between cultural and commercial activities
  
• ensures sound financial management: multi-year and annual budgets, financial statements
  
• establishes policy in the areas of maintenance and housing (long-term)
  
• oversees and contributes to fundraising policy.
  
• fosters a professional work culture within the team, as well as with the Board of Directors and committees, in accordance with clearguidelines and procedures
• implements an inclusive HR policy that is open to everyone
  
• proactively maintains an appropriate network at the local, regional, and national levels within the cultural sectorand establishes connections with community partners and stakeholders
• helps shape the development of strategic marketing, communication policy, and relationship management
  

Candidate Profile

• Academic level of thinking
  
• Experience as a strategic leader in a complex organization in the cultural sector
  
• Knowledge and understanding of related financial processes, operations, and fundraising
  
• Has knowledge of property maintenance and/or is willing to learn
  
• An understanding of political and administrative dynamics
  
• A strong affinity for art and culture
  
• Is well-versed in the arts and culture sector and its administrative and policy environment, and is capable ofsuccessfully promoting the organization
• Is familiar with and endorses the principles set forth in the Cultural Governance Code
  
• Has a firm grasp of issues related to inclusion, diversity, and fair practices

Specifically:

• Alignment with the mission and vision of the Kinetisch Noord Foundation
  
• Knowledge of the arts and culture sector and its policy environment, including the policy on creative hubs
  
• Has relevant networks in Amsterdam

The Kinetisch Noord Foundation adheres to the Governance Code and the codes for Fair Practice and Diversity and Inclusion. As an organization, we aim to reflect society. Salaries are in line with industry standards in the cultural sector. 

We invite interested candidates to submit their resume and cover letter by email to rob@ndsmloods.nl, addressed to Pierre Ballings, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Stichting Kinetisch Noord, by December 13. Interviews will be held through January 17, 2025. For more information, please call Pierre Ballings, Chair of the Board of Trustees, at 06 55775538, or Rob Post, Executive Director of Stichting Kinetisch Noord, at 0622070907.