Managing Director

Drawing on lessons learned from war and conflict, vfonds contributes to a strong democratic rule of law and a peaceful society. It does so as a funder, facilitator, and initiator of activities and programs. vfonds is seeking a Managing Director to start on October 1.

Profile at a glance:

The Executive Director is the face of vfonds. This individual embodies the mission and, thanks to this personal commitment, is able to lead the team of 17 professionals and represent the organization in an inspiring and persuasive manner. This individual also has a deep appreciation for vfonds’ origins and history.

The Managing Director is also responsible for strategy, day-to-day operations, and overseeing asset management. The Managing Director has a demonstrable affinity with vfonds’s goals and possesses comprehensive executive and people management experience. He or she is also an inspiring conversational partner, focused on collaboration, entrepreneurial, and decisive.

For a detailed profile, visit the website:Managing Director - vfonds - Ebbinge

About vfonds

“Vfonds is mobilizing the entire country in support of freedom and democracy”

The National Fund for Peace, Freedom, and Veteran Care (vfonds) is an independent, private foundation. Its mission is to contribute to a strong democratic constitutional state and a peaceful society by drawing on the lessons learned from war and conflict. In line with this mission, vfonds supports projects that align with the achievement of four objectives:

• Increasing knowledge about war and conflict;
• Promoting appreciation for the democratic rule of law;
• Increasing appreciation for veterans and the police;
• Developing skills to actively contribute to a peaceful society.

Each year, vfonds helps make over 200 unique and innovative initiatives and projects possible by providing grants, launching initiatives, and/or connecting stakeholders within and outside the sector. The 2021–2025 policy plan serves as a guide in this regard.

The vfonds receives its funding from the National Postcode Lottery, the Friends Lottery, the Dutch Lottery, and its own fundraising efforts, in addition to returns on its own capital. In total, this amounts to approximately €15 million per year.

Developments and urgency

For many people, freedom and democracy are taken for granted. At the same time, tolerance and equality in society are under pressure. Every day, we see examples of exclusion and polarization in the media. It even happens in politics. The war in Ukraine shows us the impact that war has on daily life. Our freedom and democracy require attention and care.

To make an even greater impact, vfonds will continue to evolve into a fundraising organization in the coming years, with a particular focus on individual donors. The goal is to increase the annual budget so that we can make a greater contribution to our mission and objectives.

Furthermore, Vfonds is increasingly establishing itself not only as a funder, but also as a facilitator and initiator of activities and programs in the field of freedom and democracy.

To continue growing and professionalizing, vfonds is restructuring its governance to consist of a Supervisory Board and a single Executive Director. The new position of Executive Director will combine the duties, powers, and responsibilities of the current Board of Directors and the current Secretary-Director.

Job Description

The Managing Director is responsible—in close collaboration with the Management Team and the staff—for:

• The overall mission and objectives of vfonds, its strategy, finances, fundraising, grant-making, human resources, IT, marketing, and communications.
• Decision-making regarding the awarding of projects by vfonds. This process is guided by an advisory committee.
• Professionalizing the organization’s fundraising capabilities. Actively seeking out alternative sources of revenue, particularly from private donors.
• Ensures the right people are in the right positions. Creates a professional, learning-oriented, inclusive, and socially safe culture. Involves employees in vfonds’s policies.
• The funding, budget, management report, financial statements, and investments of vfonds.
• Safeguarding the public interest, ensuring legality, and complying with relevant laws and regulations, while maintaining a focus on risk management.

The new managing director meets these five selection criteria:

• Has experience as a leader in the social sector and has a proven track record of managing an organization’s overall operations.
• Is familiar with vfonds’s broad scope of work, making them a “natural” and charismatic figurehead. Is naturally comfortable taking the stage to represent the organization. Has an affinity for the themes of freedom, democracy, and veterans.
• Experience in a political or social administrative context. Is accustomed to collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders. Brings a network relevant to vfonds. 
• Has sufficient financial and business acumen to assume overall responsibility for an organization with invested capital.
• The experience needed to further develop vfonds as a fundraising organization. Entrepreneurial, with strong interpersonal skills, and able to leverage a network to benefit vfonds.

In addition, the following skills are required:

• Decisive and assertive. Turns decisions into concrete actions. Sets parameters, provides direction, and makes tough calls. Identifies and capitalizes on opportunities. Is willing to take risks.
• Collaborative. Engages others and listens, focusing on achieving shared results. Is a coaching and facilitating leader. Is committed to employee development.
• Networker. Is outward-looking and enjoys building and maintaining collaborative relationships. Moves effortlessly in various circles. Remains impartial.
• Strategic and analytical. Sees the big picture in complex situations and provides direction. Uses this perspective to identify connections and find solutions. Translates societal trends into opportunities for vfonds: “brings the outside in.” Develops innovative plans and ensures their implementation.
• Strong communication skills. Transparent, clear, and principled. A natural conversational partner for everyone involved with vfonds. Sociable, combining professionalism with warmth.

Information and Recruitment

Vfonds works with, on behalf of, and for everyone. The organization values diversity and inclusion and strongly encourages anyone who fits the profile to apply.

The gross full-time salary is a maximum of €120,000 (including vacation pay). The Goede Doelen Nederland executive compensation policy applies.

This is a full-time position of 36 hours per week; a part-time position of 32 hours per week is also available.

Vfonds is being assisted in its recruitment efforts by Britt Blomsma of Ebbinge:

Phone: 06-2602 2265

Email: britt.blomsma@ebbinge.nl