About Meerkring
The Meerkring Foundation is an organization providing public and general special primary education in Amersfoort, serving over 4,000 students across 20 schools: 14 regular elementary schools and 6 schools for specialized education (such as special elementary education, special education, and a school for newcomers). The schools are spread throughout Amersfoort and are distinguished by their diversity in educational concepts, target groups, and identities. Together with approximately 600 employees, Meerkring works daily to provide contemporary, inclusive, and meaningful education.
Meerkring’s mission is clear: to give children the space to discover who they are, what they can do, and what they want. At every school, the focus is on children’s development—cognitive, social-emotional, creative, motor, and digital. Student participation is also playing an increasingly important role in this. Meerkring believes that education better aligns with children’s experiences when their voices are actively heard in shaping the direction of the school and the organization.
As of August 1, 2025, a new Chair of the Board of Directors with a strong educational background will take office. The Supervisory Board is also seeking a colleague with a strong background in business management who, together with the chair, will lead the next phase in Meerkring’s development.
Meerkring is currently in a unique phase. It is working on corrective actions mandated by the inspectorate in the areas of quality assurance, governance, and accountability. The new board is taking over these responsibilities from an interim director.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for a strategically strong and collaborative leader with a solid background in organizational management and a passion for nonprofit organizations. The ideal candidate will bring clarity, direction, and stability to an organization in transition, and will help further strengthen Meerkring as a cohesive, learning foundation.
In addition, you have experience with:
- comprehensive management within a complex organization, including oversight of finance, HR, IT, facilities, sustainability, and planning & control
- managing an administrative office or staff organization
- strengthening organizational culture and guiding change processes
- administrative decision-making and experience with oversight, employee participation, and governance at the strategic level
And do you have the following skills:
- able to think strategically and act practically
- focuses on quality, processes, and results, and contributes to transparent, accountable business operations
- clear and concise communication, a good listener, approachable, and able to drive change without losing sight of the goal
The candidate’s background is in education, healthcare, childcare, culture, housing associations, or another social sector. Experience in metropolitan or socially diverse environments is preferred. Previous experience as a board member is not required, but the ability to act from a governance perspective and to be accountable is essential.
The assignment
Together with the Chair of the Executive Board, you will lead the organization. You will be responsible for the operations portfolio. In the coming period, you will focus on:
- Further strengthening the administrative office as a professional and service-oriented unit
- Further development of the P&C cycle and a policy-driven multi-year budget
- Establishment of an effective risk management system and transparent accountability
- Constructive collaboration with directors, staff, and the Board of Supervisors
- Meerkring’s strategic positioning in areas such as housing and urban cooperation.
You will work closely with the chair of the Executive Board on this.
What do we offer?
An administrative role with a social impact and a dynamic work environment where you’ll have the freedom to help Meerkring grow. You’ll work alongside dedicated colleagues who are passionate about education. Meerkring is looking for an administrator who is committed to the organization for several years and who will work alongside the chairperson to further develop both the educational programs and the organization.
The salary is in line with WNT standards, Class D, under the collective bargaining agreement for administrators in primary education. The position offers excellent benefits, including a pension plan through ABP, travel allowance, and opportunities for professional development.
Interested?
Meerkring is working with Colourful People on this recruitment effort. Would you like to contribute to Meerkring’s future as a strategic and collaborative leader? If so, please apply by September 13 via the "Apply" button next to the job posting on the Colourful People website. In the link:detailed job description You can read more about the job opening, the responsibilities, and the challenges of this position.
For more information, please contact Monique Spaansen, a partner at Colourful People (M.Spaansen@colourfulpeople.nl) (after August 3 due to the summer break). The interviews will take place during the first and second weeks of October.
