Are you a leader who provides direction, brings structure, and helps people thrive? Do you want to work toward improving education and contribute to a healthy, future-proof organization? Then this is your chance.
The General Education Union (AOb) is seeking a Head of Collective Advocacy who, together with dedicated colleagues, will help shape substantive policy, collective bargaining negotiations, union training, and employee participation training. You will join an organization with a significant social impact, where committed professionals are dedicated to promoting employee participation, job satisfaction, and quality in education.
About AOb
The AOb is the largest union in the education sector. We are committed to serving over 87,000 members—teachers, support staff, researchers, and education professionals—who make a difference for students every day. We do this not only through collective bargaining agreements, legal assistance, and training programs, but also through substantive policy and advocacy. We are both an association and a professional organization with approximately 150 employees, where staff and members collaborate based on shared values and the belief that quality education is a shared responsibility. We operate at the heart of the education sector and work together with partners such as the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, other unions, and civil society organizations.
The position
As Head of Collective Advocacy, you will lead several teams. You will be responsible for translating strategic objectives into concrete programs, policy initiatives, and services. The department is currently evolving; in the coming years, this will require steady leadership, a commitment to collaboration, and the ability to set boundaries when necessary.
You know how to inspire professionals, strengthen collaboration, and foster a sense of ownership. You provide stability and direction, while also remaining open to initiatives and input from both the organization and the association. In doing so, you navigate with ease the unique context of an entity that is part work organization and part association—with all that this entails in terms of organizational sensitivity, governance, and coordination.
You will be part of the AOb management team and will help strengthen collaboration between departments, support leadership within the organization, and foster job satisfaction and a safe and inclusive work environment. You view diversity and inclusion as a natural part of your leadership. The role requires a strong leader with natural authority and the ability to drive change—someone who builds collaboration, structure, and trust with a broad perspective, empathy, and a focus on results.
Interested?
You can find the more detailed job description here. The AOb is working with the recruitment and selection firm Colourful People on this process. If you have any questions, please contact René Burgler at r.burgler@colourfulpeople.nl or 06 2857 5436. Please submit your cover letter and resumeby June 9 at the latestvia the application form on the Colourful People website.
The interviews will take place on:
- June 10–13: preliminary interviews at Colourful People
- June 23: Job interviews at AOb in Utrecht
To ensure an objective and thorough recruitment and selection process, we ask that you address the following questions in your cover letter:
- What appeals to you most about the AOb’s mission and the role we play in strengthening education and the position of education staff?
- How do you foster connection, collaboration, and mutual trust within a department that includes different teams, areas of expertise, and interests?
- What defines your leadership style, and how do you use it to motivate professionals, foster a sense of ownership, and drive results?
You can find more information via the links below:
