Member of the Executive Board, Operations Profile

What does MBO Utrecht do?

MBO Utrecht is a small, dynamic educational institution that offers effective education with a strong focus on innovation and collaboration. It makes a significant contribution to the development of its students’ talents and future prospects, helping them become self-assured professionals. There is a strong emphasis on the development of talent, work skills, entrepreneurial behavior, social engagement, mutual respect, and citizenship. These priorities are anchored in the mission and vision, and in the core values of Personal, Connected, and Responsible. The key priorities guide the movement that has already been set in motion: Personal Learning, Developing Together, and Making a Difference.

MBO Utrecht offers approximately 50 different programs across four levels of vocational education. All vocational programs prepare students for the workforce, further education, and making a meaningful contribution to society. Spread across three locations in Utrecht and one location in Hilversum, more than 5,000 students are enrolled at MBO Utrecht. With its portfolio of programs, MBO Utrecht fulfills an important socioeconomic and social role in the Utrecht region.

Management and Oversight

MBO Utrecht operates under a flat organizational model with a collegial board and teaching teams accountable for results. Instruction is organized on a small scale across eleven academies. The academies are grouped into three educational clusters and are supported by seven departments. The cluster directors of the academies are educational leaders and manage team leaders. In addition, they oversee a number of MBO Utrecht-wide themes in their role as portfolio holders. Education plays a leading role in determining the policy agenda.

The Executive Board is responsible for the day-to-day management of MBO Utrecht. The Supervisory Board consists of five members and oversees the Executive Board’s policies and the general affairs of MBO Utrecht. In addition to the Supervisory Board, there is also an Advisory Board, and the institution actively collaborates with the Employee and Student Councils in matters of employee participation.

MBO Utrecht’s management philosophy is centered on collaboration, transparency, and a results-oriented approach. The organization operates with a flat structure in which trust, autonomy, and responsibility are key. It strives for continuous improvement and innovation, valuing input from all stakeholders. The focus is on creating a safe, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment that contributes to the growth of both students and staff.

As a member of the Executive Board, you will play a crucial role in the strategic leadership of the organization and in shaping the future of vocational education in Utrecht, with primary responsibility for finance and operations.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a director with the following knowledge and experience:

• Final responsibility in a public organization, preferably in a metropolitan context
• Extensive experience in business operations and finance within an (educational) organization at the strategic level
• Administrative skills and experience in vocational education
• Overseeing and facilitating processes related to collaboration and communication among the various (governing) bodies, such as the Supervisory Board, the Works Council, the Student Council, and the Advisory Board
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, and an academic-level education.

And the following personal characteristics:

• Embraces the mission, vision, and core values of MBO Utrecht
• Has an inspiring vision for “guiding” a vocational education organization and can provide clear frameworks for its structure and operations
• Building connections and fostering relationships, both internally and with external stakeholders
• Has a regional and national network appropriate for the position
• Can provide a space for learning in a positive and open atmosphere.

To ensure continuity in the board, preference will be given to a candidate who can serve two terms.

Would you like more information about the profile, background, and process? Please read the attached document.

What do we offer the new director?

MBO Utrecht is a forward-thinking organization with ample opportunities to make education even more creative, challenging, and innovative, and to further optimize its operations. Everyone knows each other, and communication lines are short, making it easy to adapt quickly. Investments have been made in new construction, resulting in a beautiful educational complex, and a new location is currently under construction.

The position is classified in Grade E according to the WNT OCW sectors. MBO Utrecht’s offer depends on the candidate’s experience and profile. The appointment is for a term of four years, after which, in accordance with the foundation’s bylaws, one further appointment is possible.

Would you like to comment?

MBO Utrecht 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 at m.spaansen@colourfulpeople.nl. If you have any questions, you can schedule an appointment via the following link:Schedule a time with Monique Spaansen | Colourful People: information session on the position of Executive Board member. You can submit an application until October 13 via the application button on this page. Interviews with the selection committees will take place on November 8 and 15 inUtrecht. The formal appointment will be made by the Supervisory Board. The goal is for the position to begin on February 1, 2025, or earlier if possible.

Detailed information