Verus is seeking a new member of the Board of Directors who identifies with the values of “passionate, reliable, and committed.” Verus is an association run by and for its members that, as an organization, strongly advocates for academic freedom. In this role, you will work alongside the chair to contribute to an association dedicated to the greater good of inspired, high-quality education. Does this profile sound like you? If so, please read on.
“The magic of good education lies in that moment when a child feels inspired, discovers something new, thinks critically about it, makes it their own, and has the courage to share it.”
What does Verus do?
Verus is the association for Catholic and Christian education in the Netherlands. More than 600 school boards representing over 4,000 schools in elementary, secondary, vocational, and higher education are members. With a heartfelt commitment, Verus inspires, guides, and supports school board members, supervisors, school leaders, teachers, and parents. The goal is to stand together for inspired, quality education and to ensure that students can develop freely. With pride and dedication, approximately 90 employees at Verus are committed to helping parents, pupils, and students freely choose the education that suits them best.
Verus draws inspiration from its members through member committees, networks, focus groups, research chairs, and partnerships with colleges and universities. The goal is to improve the quality of education and, by extension, the well-being of children and students. Education should not revolve around systems and protocols; rather, good education is a place where children and students learn to live together and develop. As a learning community, Verus contributes by providing support in educational vision, professional development, mergers & collaboration, operations & personnel, and governance, and helps shape the narrative around identity and tradition.
The Executive Board is fully responsible for the management of the association and consists of a chairperson and a member. The current chairperson will retire in the spring of 2025. Around the summer, the current member will take over the position of chairperson, and they will switch roles. This will create a vacancy for a member of the Executive Board early next year.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for an enthusiastic, committed, and inspiring member of the Executive Board who, together with the chair, will be responsible for strategy and policy in a collegial and constructive partnership characterized by professional debate.
We are looking for a director with the following knowledge and experience:
- Knowledge of and experience with the organizational, managerial, financial, and policy aspects of (educational) organizations, as well as their transitions
- Experienced in providing both non-profit and commercial services
- Management skills and familiarity with the education sector
- Understanding governance relationships, maintaining communication with the Supervisory Board, the members, the general meeting, the works council, employees, and stakeholders
- The ability to think and work strategically at the academic level.
And the following personal characteristics:
- Personal commitment to the Catholic/Christian faith and tradition
- Embraces Verus’s mission, advocates for educational freedom, the education system, and Christian and Catholic education
- Of course, servant leadership
- Building connections and fostering collaboration, both within the agency and with our members
- Creative and innovative, with ample time for implementation
- Has a healthy sense of humor and a good sense of perspective
- Authentic, open, and curious
- A team player who enjoys working closely with colleagues and naturally seeks out constructive feedback.
When the new director takes office, we will discuss the allocation of responsibilities.
With a view to diversity and continuity, preference is given to a female candidate who is willing to serve two four-year terms.
Would you like more information about the profile, background, and process? Read more in this document.
What do we offer the new director?
We have our own employment policy, in line with market standards, which includes a generous personal development budget and opportunities for professional growth. You can work flexibly and in a hybrid setting, and you’ll receive a flexible spending account. This includes vacation pay and a year-end bonus, which you can choose to have paid out at a time that suits you best or use to contribute to tax-advantaged savings plans. You will receive a travel allowance and 36 vacation days, which are preferably taken during school breaks. The salary is in line with WNT 2 standards (min. €7,460, max. €10,495 gross per month). We participate in the pension plan of the Pensioenfonds Zorg en Welzijn.
Would you like to comment?
Verus is being assisted in this process by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more information about the position, please contact Monique Spaansen, senior partner at Colourful People. Monique can be reached atm.spaansen@colourfulpeople.nl or by phone at 06-51526255. You may submit your application by June 13 at the latest via the Colourful People website. The initial interviews with Monique will take place on June 12 and 13. The selection interviews with the committee are scheduled for the evenings of June 1 and 3.
