Managing Director

SWV PO ZOUT (Southeast Utrecht Primary Education Partnership) is committed to fulfilling its mission that every child has the right to an education that matches his or her abilities and needs. We support schools in offering every child an appropriate educational program, with an emphasis on safety and optimal development. Our vision focuses on Appropriate Education within schools, thereby preventing children from staying home. Teachers are invaluable in this regard.

SWV PO ZOUT supports teachers in enhancing their professional skills, early detection, and providing additional support. To this end, SWV PO ZOUT employs several staff members. The ZOUT Team, part of the SWV PO ZOUT administrative office, offers customized additional support to schools, tailored to the educational needs of the student, with that support focused on the teacher, the child, and the parents/guardians.

What does the job entail?

As Executive Director, you are responsible for managing SWV PO ZOUT and play a key role in shaping our strategic policy and ensuring the quality of Inclusive Education. You serve as the link between the boards of the participating partners, the supervisory board, and the organization. As an executive director, you have the independent authority to make decisions regarding management responsibilities. The strategic policy, the support plan, and the main principles of financial management are adopted following approval by the supervisory board or by the general members’ meeting (GMM). The support plan is prepared by the executive director and submitted to the support plan council (OPR). If the findings are positive, it is then adopted by the GMM.

You will participate in local and regional networks. You will work closely with the ZOUT board members—who meet as the General Assembly—as well as with representatives from school boards in the region, municipalities, and social service agencies, and the OPR regarding the content of the support plan. You will also collaborate with the partnership’s parent-teacher association and provide support for day-to-day operations.

What kind of candidate are we looking for?

We are looking for an executive director with strong interpersonal and communication skills and an inspiring personality. You have proven experience in education policy and management, as well as knowledge of relevant laws and regulations. You are visible both internally and externally and can effectively represent SWV PO ZOUT to stakeholders.

You have the following knowledge and skills:

• Skilled at building and maintaining networks and constructive relationships.
• Extensive knowledge of Special Education and educational trends
• Understanding the structure and operations of schools and school boards
• Experience in financial management and management techniques
• Excellent negotiation skills and political sensitivity
• Innovative and results-oriented
• Skilled at leading an organization in transition.

In addition, you have the following skills:

• Strategic insight, a clear vision of the organization’s future in relation to societal developments
• Organizational and context-sensitive
• Innovative spirit: you identify and capitalize on opportunities and can drive transformation processes
• A focus on development and results, with a systematic emphasis on data-driven practices and sound business operations
• Leadership skills: You are a team leader who fosters a professional environment.

Nice-to-haves:

• Experience with improvement projects
• Experience in the phase of consolidating and ensuring the sustainability of implemented improvements
• Exudes a natural sense of calm

What do we offer?

The partnership and the role of managing director are classified as complexity factor G under the WNT. It is a position equivalent to 0.8–1 FTE, based on a salary of €8,000 gross per month on a full-time basis, depending on background and experience. There is sufficient flexibility to organize one’s own schedule regarding the location of work, in line with the organization’s stage of development, with the primary work location being the partnership’s office in Zeist.

More about the PO ZOUT partnership

SWV PO ZOUT operates in the Southeast Utrecht region. The association is comprised of the affiliated school boards for primary and special (elementary) education. SWV PO ZOUT serves over 18,000 students in collaboration with 29 participating school boards across 75 schools. The association is active in the municipalities of Bunnik, De Bilt, Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Wijk bij Duurstede, and Zeist. The association has a board consisting of a single director: the executive director. The executive director performs all management tasks within the association and serves as the head of the operational organization. The supervisory board oversees the association and the policies implemented by the executive director, and there is a General Assembly that acts as the “owner of the partnership.”

The partnership recently transitioned from a management model to a supervisory model. The supervisory board began its work in August 2023. The position of executive director is currently being filled on an interim basis. SWV PO ZOUT is actively working on an improvement initiative, aiming to establish the necessary culture of implementation and quality through guidance and coordination.

Would you like to comment?

SWV PO ZOUTis working with the executive search firm Colourful People for recruitment and selection. Are you interested in this position? If so, please apply via the Colourful People website. For more information about the organization and the position, please contact Monique Spaansen, partner at Colourful People (M.Spaansen@colourfulpeople.nl). You can express your interest by submitting a cover letter and resume by February 5 via the Colourful People website. Interviews with the selection committee are scheduled for February 27 and March 1, with the goal of having the candidate start as soon as possible.