Managing Director

About the role

We are looking for a socially engaged, development-oriented leader with a strategic overview and an entrepreneurial mindset. Collaboration is a top priority for you. Your stakeholder management skills are excellent. You are forward-thinking and understand that the major challenges in housing construction, residential quality, and quality of life can only be addressed through collaboration and cohesion. Based on this vision of the future, you know how to inspire and connect your partners. You possess natural leadership qualities, demonstrating courage, vision, decisiveness, and the ability to build support. You are approachable and converse easily with everyone. You have a genuine interest in people and a clear understanding of organizations and developments. You understand how systems work and are attuned to your surroundings. You identify opportunities and possibilities that you can get your surroundings excited about. In doing so, you are always mindful of the financial and economic impact of these opportunities and respond effectively to market developments. You have experience as a director and are familiar with the roles within the governance structure, allowing you to quickly feel at home collaborating with the Board of Supervisors.

Upcoming developments for Area:

• Area has many ambitions when it comes to expanding and making its housing stock more sustainable, as well as meeting tenants’ wishes and expectations regarding housing quality, renovations, affordability, and livability. Area’s financial foundation is sound, but the social challenges are significant and require rigorous, responsible decision-making. There are more ambitions than resources. A realistic assessment of what is and isn’t possible, along with the search for creative solutions, is essential.
• Area is known for its resident-focused approach and social commitment! Naturally, Area wants to maintain that. The staff are highly engaged and socially minded. However, there is a noticeable hardening of attitudes in society, and the staff at Area are experiencing this firsthand. Given the financial constraints and the hardening of society, a slightly more entrepreneurial and business-oriented approach would be desirable.
• Area is part of a broader network of collaborating organizations and municipalities working to create a livable and pleasant residential and living environment. Further strengthening and expanding this network is essential to continue making a difference for current and future tenants.
• The Management Team currently consists of five members, and there is one open position. In recent years, efforts have been made to delegate responsibilities to lower levels of the organization. The Management Team, the employees, and the Works Council need further development in this area, with clear guidelines regarding roles and responsibilities. The Management Team would also like to continue developing as a team.

The required qualifications are:

• Vision/Big-picture view
• Environmentally conscious
• Integer
• Development-oriented leadership skills
• People-oriented (focused on collaboration and connection)
• Decisive and results-oriented
• Guts
• Innovative

If this resonates with you, we look forward to hearing from you.

Area Governance

Area is governed by a single-person board. The Executive Director leads the management team, which includes the Operations Manager, the Neighborhood Development Manager, the Services Manager, the Housing Manager, and two staff members: the Controller and the HR Business Partner.

The Supervisory Board consists of five members, who place great importance on good governance and effective oversight.

Area is a social enterprise that carries out a public housing mission as part of its social mandate. Area is committed to providing good, affordable, safe, and sustainable housing. This requires significant investment, and many social interests are at stake. Achieving these social goals is the top priority, with the organization’s financial sustainability serving as a prerequisite. Area is evolving administratively and operationally. The supervisory function must evolve in equal measure.

For more information about Area, please visit the website: https://www.areawonen.nl/over-ons/

What do we offer?

• A challenging role in a pleasant work culture and environment;
• In principle, appointments are for a four-year term, with the possibility of reappointment;
• The salary is based on the Act on Standards for the Remuneration of Senior Officials in the Public and Semi-Public Sectors (WNT).
• The position is classified in pay grade F.
• Salary is determined based on experience and background.

Interested?

Area is working with the executive search firm Colourful People on this recruitment process. For more information about the position and the application process, please contact Hatice Türkmen, a partner at Colourful People (06-46081232). You can express your interest by submitting a cover letter and resume (PDF) via the“Apply” button on this page. Rest assured that your information will be treated confidentially.

Process & Planning

• The application deadline for this position is May 11, 2024;
• Colourful People will conduct the initial screening, and these interviews will take place on May 15 and 16;
• The interviews with Area’s selection committee are scheduled for June 7 and 14;
• Consultation meetings with the management team and the works council are scheduled for June 19;
• A meeting to discuss employment terms is scheduled for June 21;
• The Supervisory Board will make a proposed decision on the appointment at the end of June, after which the process of seeking advice from the Works Council and requesting an opinion from the Housing Association Authority will be initiated;
• A background check is part of the process. The selection committee may decide to conduct an assessment (or development assessment).

Review by the Housing Association Authority

Part of the procedure for appointment as a member of a housing association’s supervisory board involves a review by the Housing Associations Authority (Aw). Prior to notifying the Aw of the proposed appointment, a comprehensive assessment of the candidate’s qualifications and references is conducted. More information on this can be found on the Aw’s website.