City Clerk / Executive Director

Who are you?

You thrive in a complex and dynamic environment where international expertise, local engagement, and social challenges converge. You are a strategic and inspiring leader who fosters connections and firmly positions our city within the region and beyond. Continuous development, sustainability, and the ability to get things done are among your core strengths. You are strategically strong, people- and results-oriented, and you have the courage to think outside the box. You know how to balance administrative ambitions with bureaucratic feasibility, and you help the administration make clear decisions. You have a sense of perspective and a sense of humor, and you are able to bring employees, the administration, and partners along on the journey of change.

Does this sound like you? Then Wageningen is looking for you!

Who are we?

Wageningen— a global city in a compact package—is a medium-sized city with metropolitan ambitions. With nearly 43,000 residents, 138 nationalities, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen is international, dynamic, and diverse. It is an open community that welcomes you and quickly makes you feel at home. Our city is deeply connected to Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and is known worldwide as the City of Life Sciences. Here, science, business, and government collaborate on sustainable solutions for food, climate, health, and biodiversity.

We are the City of Liberation, and on May 4 and 5, Wageningen takes center stage. But freedom is not just felt on those days. Freedom, Engagement, and Social Responsibility are our core values.

Wageningen has a progressive and distinctive image, with engaged and assertive residents, leaders, and employees. We are a critical yet constructive player in the region. We “punch above our weight,” often take the lead, and invest in collaboration.

The City Council
The Wageningen City Council has 25 seats (27 after the upcoming municipal elections), divided among a mix of national and local parties. The City Council places a high priority on collegial governance. The coalition agreement “Working Together” sets out the council’s ambitions regarding sustainability, livelihood security, and social inclusion.

The Organization
Our employees are committed and enthusiastic. We work on the city with passion and energy, but we also know that this requires balance and focus. Our “Organizational Plan 2025” is based on three pillars:

• Professional collaboration: business-oriented and results-driven, while maintaining our social culture. 
• Digitally ready: prepared for digital transformation and hybrid collaboration. 
• Personal leadership: managers and employees, with a focus on ownership and resilience.

At the same time, we face significant challenges: strengthening our governance and determining whether scaling up will be necessary in the future.

What's going on here?

Issues that concern us and require us to make difficult decisions include: housing and suitable accommodations for our residents, care for the most vulnerable, fostering connection in a time of polarization, climate and sustainability, scaling up through growth while preserving the city’s unique character, and regionalization and collaboration. 

What will you be doing?

As the municipal secretary/managing director of Wageningen, your responsibilities will include the following:

• You take the time to get to know Wageningen, its residents, the administration, and the organization.
• You will familiarize yourself with existing strategies and policies and focus on their implementation and execution.
• You maintain a balance between driving progress and innovation on the one hand, and completing and consolidating on the other.
• You will strengthen collaboration within the region, the city, and the organization.
• You embrace the chosen direction of development and strengthen the organization’s future-readiness.
• You carefully weigh your options when deciding whether to invest in collaboration or in strengthening your own organization.

In addition, you will carry out the regular duties of the municipal secretary/general director, with a focus on the following areas:

City Council
As the chief advisor to the Municipal Executive, you combine analytical skills, administrative sensitivity, and strategic advice. You serve as a full-fledged sparring partner, offering both solicited and unsolicited advice. You ensure clarity of roles, encourage clear and achievable decisions, and contribute to careful decision-making. You are well-versed in the details of politically sensitive or high-risk issues.

Working in tandem with the mayor
You form a powerful partnership with the mayor. Through mutual trust, openness, and direct communication, you work together to ensure stability and direction, and you are committed to maintaining the current administrative calm and healthy working relationships.

Council and Tripartite Collaboration
Together with the mayor and the clerk, you will build a constructive working relationship within the council. You will invest in a strong relationship with the council / the presidium, ensure transparent communication, and strengthen the long-term agenda.

Linking-pin college - organization
You maintain a balance between ambitions and feasibility. You facilitate open dialogue, monitor progress, and address bottlenecks.

Organization and Staff
You are the visible and recognizable figurehead of a committed and passionate organization (organization chart). Without a dedicated office, you move seamlessly among your colleagues. You inspire, provide space and direction, and ensure a safe and healthy work environment. You promote structure, framework, and results, in line with our core values of Commitment, Social Responsibility, and Freedom.

Management Team (MT)
Together with the MT, you provide comprehensive leadership to the organization. You invest in leadership, set the agenda for strategic themes, and encourage comprehensive collaboration.

Manager of the Executive Team
You will directly supervise the strategic advisors of the Executive Management team, which consists of the board advisors, organizational advisors, the group controller, and the regional cooperation advisor. 

Works Council (OR)
You are open to dialogue with the Works Council and promote transparent collaboration. You engage in both formal and informal consultations, inform the Works Council early on regarding major developments, and use the Works Council as a sounding board.

Local Community and Networks
You know the city well or are getting to know it well, and you incorporate feedback from the community into your advice and guidance. You invest in a relevant network and are aware of your complementary role in relation to administrators and colleagues.

Region
Those who work for Wageningen work for the region. You are a proactive and visible player in regional and national networks. You skillfully juggle multiple priorities simultaneously, engaging with the region as well as The Hague and Brussels. You implement the recommendations of the governance capacity study and know how to firmly position Wageningen in the various regions of which we are a part. We are active, among other places, in the Food Valley Region, where sustainability, innovation, and economic strength converge, and in the social sector through the M.G.R. Central Gelderland.

What do you bring to the table?

• Academic level of work and thinking. 
• Management experience in a complex administrative setting (municipal experience is a plus).
• Strategic vision on the changing role of government / Wageningen’s position in the region. 
• Political, administrative, and organizational sensitivity. 
• The ability to connect, inspire, and build trust. 
• Authentic, open, and collaborative. 
• Guts, a sense of perspective, and a sense of humor.

What do we offer you?

• A versatile and rewarding position in a unique and international city.
• A full-time position (initially a one-year contract, followed by a permanent position upon satisfactory performance).
• A salary of up to €10,112 gross per month (scale 16 of the Municipalities Collective Bargaining Agreement as of October 1, 2025), plus a 17.05% Individual Choice Budget. 
• An inspiring work environment where collaboration with WUR, residents, and the region is central.

How can we get in touch?

Does this role and our organization appeal to you? If so, we’d love to hear from you! The municipality of Wageningen is being assisted in this process by Gert-Jan Jongkind of Bestman · Bestuur & Management.

For more information about the job opening, please contact Gert-Jan Jongkind via WhatsApp at 06-50244791 or by email at jongkind@bestman.nl

What does the procedure involve?

You can apply until Friday, October 10, at www.bestman.nl. Click "Apply" in the job posting and upload your cover letter, resume, and photo.

The process includes an assessment, a reference check, an integrity screening, and a Certificate of Good Conduct.

Schedule:

The first round of talks is scheduled for November 7.

The second round of talks is scheduled for November 17.

Further details (assessment, terms of employment) will follow as soon as possible.