Head of Collection Knowledge

Will you make it happen?

Together with your department—which consists of national and international experts in their respective fields—you are responsible for building, disseminating, and promoting knowledge about our collection. You provide direction by drafting collection policies, contribute to the development of our public programming, oversee a limited number of substantive projects in collaboration with relevant department staff, and facilitate connections among team members as needed. And there’s more. As Head of Collections, you will:

• The department coaches and empowers employees to do their jobs as well as possible and keeps them informed about broader developments within the organization.
• Further develops the team and encourages collaboration with colleagues both within and outside the team, based on mutual recognition of each other’s expertise, so that they can collectively fulfill their duties and responsibilities to the best of their ability.
• Initiates new initiatives, but more importantly: empowers colleagues in the department to initiate and implement changes, initiatives, and projects.
• With the largest library collection in the Netherlands, we are working on and contributing to the major transformation projects of the coming years, such as the relocation of the collection and the new public building. We are becoming increasingly digital in our work, which means that the way we build and share knowledge will also continue to evolve.
• Sparringpartner assists specialists in purchasing valuable new items from antique dealers, private sellers, and auctions.
• In addition, you represent the KB and our unique collections within our network. You ensure that researchers and interested parties encounter our collection not only in academic settings, but also through unexpected channels. This is because the department’s staff are able to present the KB’s collection in the best possible way, both by sharing their knowledge and by acquiring special collection items.

Are you the talent we're looking for?

We’re curious to learn more about who you are and what makes you special. Is it your ability to build connections combined with your persuasiveness? That’s great. Especially if, for this Head of Collection Knowledge position, you can also bring the following:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher, preferably in the humanities.
• At least 3–5 years of relevant work experience as a manager or supervisor, during which you managed independent professionals.
• Knowledge of networks relevant to the collection and experience in presenting the collection to various audiences.
• An eye for helping people grow and the ability to collaborate within networks toward shared goals.
• A healthy dose of flexibility, self-reflection, optimism, and an open mind.

What can you count on?

When you choose the KB, you’re also choosing excellent employment benefits. To be specific, your choice includes:

• A gross monthly salary between €6,074 and €7,398 (pay grade 13).
• To start with a one-year contract with the possibility of a permanent position.
• A good work-life balance. You’ll get 42 days off, and we’d be happy to discuss working from home and flexible hours with you.
• 100% reimbursement of your public transportation costs.
• Pension accrual through the ABP pension fund, with the KB paying 70% of the premium.
• A thirteenth month's salary (8.33%).

These terms of employment apply to a full-time position of 40 hours per week. The position of Head of Collection Knowledge is for 32–40 hours per week. Learn more about our excellent benefits at www.kb.nl/organisatie/vacatures-en-stages/uitstekende-arbeidsvoorwaarden.

What is it like to work at the KB?

The KB is the national library of the Netherlands. What more people should know is that the KB is innovating. Because that’s exactly what we’re doing! Together with 500 colleagues and our network partners, we’re committed to making the Netherlands smarter, more skilled, and more creative every day. We achieve this, for example, by collecting, preserving, and sharing all digital publications from and about our country.

We embrace the differences among our colleagues. In fact, we believe that differences make a team stronger. We see this firsthand in our Collection Knowledge department, where colleagues handle inquiries about metadata, manage the (online) presentation of the collection, contribute to our public programming, and create editorial content. There are 17 people working in this team. How do your future colleagues describe the atmosphere? As enthusiastic, engaged, and professional.

How do I apply for this job opening?

Would you like to contribute to our innovation efforts? Great! We can’t wait to receive your resume and cover letter. Could you also include two examples in your cover letter of situations where your interpersonal skills made a difference? That will help us see how you put your interpersonal skills to work.

Do you have any questions about the position? Please contact Martijn Kleppe at martijn.kleppe@kb.nl or by phone at 06-24221048. Questions about the application process? Fiona van Kessel will answer them via solliciteren@kb.nl or 06-39645240.

• You can apply through Sunday, June 23 via the application form on our website.
• If we see enough common ground, we’d be happy to get in touch with you soon and will call you for an introductory conversation. If there isn’t enough common ground, we’ll let you know via email.
• We will retain your information during the selection process. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we will delete this information no later than 4 weeks after the application process has ended. For more information, please see our privacy statement for applicants.

Sales calls are not appreciated.