Member of the Supervisory Board

Desired profile

Your strong financial background (e.g., in accounting or corporate control) is the foundation for a role on ASKO’s Board of Trustees and Audit Committee. Building the foundation for future-oriented education is a top priority. With your broad perspective on finance and business operations, combined with your intrinsic motivation to contribute to a society that offers opportunities for children in Amsterdam and the surrounding area, you are an ideal sparring partner for the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board.
Primary education is in the midst of a transition away from traditional teaching methods. The board of directors is developing new educational concepts and training “new-style” education professionals. In a metropolitan setting like Amsterdam, diversity and inclusivity are key pillars on which to build.
With your big-picture perspective and strategic insight, you can firmly establish the role of supervisor. You have knowledge of value-based supervision. In addition, you have experience with education funding or are able to quickly familiarize yourself with it. You are a strong discussion partner for the accountant. With your sharp critical eye, you ask the right questions to clarify both the risks and the necessary investments for future-proof education. You have a broad perspective on social developments and a clear view on transition, inclusion, and diversity.

As a team player, you thrive in an environment where equality, respect, and an open-minded attitude are central. You have strong interpersonal and people-oriented skills and bring your own unique perspective to the table. You have a deep interest in education. You understand what children will need over the next twenty years to become successful global citizens in our society.

Given the composition of the current board of trustees, candidates with a bicultural background are expressly encouraged to apply

Skills and qualities:

• general administrative acumen, knowledge, and experience;
• sufficient time to fulfill the role (at least 6 meetings per year);
• connector/networker;
• able to foster productive collaboration within the board and between the supervisory board and the executive board through an open and constructive approach, combined with a healthy sense of perspective and humor;
• an affinity for and understanding of (primary) education, and an affinity for this organization’s mission in particular;
• active community involvement and demonstrable community connections;
• the ability to uphold strict independence, impartiality, accountability, and integrity;
• a good balance between involvement and detachment;
• to serve as a sparring partner for the Executive Board with empathy and a focus on collaboration;
• have strong communication skills and good judgment and critical thinking skills;
• ability to think analytically and outside the box;
• financial knowledge and experience
• Experience in the field of education funding is a plus;
• bringing inspiration.

About Us

With approximately 10,000 students and 1,000 staff members, ASKO Schools is the largest primary education organization in Amsterdam. Its 35 schools, located throughout Amsterdam as well as in Landsmeer, Badhoevedorp, Muiden, Weesp, and Duivendrecht, offer an education grounded in a broad philosophical perspective on identity. An open attitude toward all worldviews and room for religious inspiration characterize us as an organization.

Three values are central: connection – attention – ambition

Through these three values, we express our commitment to providing high-quality education in close collaboration with one another, our staff, our parents, and our partners. Each of the elementary schools affiliated with ASKO has its own name, identity, and responsibilities, and is supported by the administrative office. The organization is led by a two-member board of directors.

ASKO is an active partner in the communities where its schools are located and participates in numerous partnerships. ASKO’s educational approach is characterized by:

• high-quality content and educational standards;
• equal opportunity and talent development;
• integration into the hyperdiversity of the Amsterdam region;
• strong commitment from all employees.

ASKO has a dedicated supervisory board that fulfills its supervisory role for the foundation and provides both solicited and unsolicited advice to the executive board on the policies to be developed and implemented in the coming years. The Board aims to carry out this supervisory role as an equal partner with the executive board. The Board has an audit and compensation committee. The Supervisory Board consists of five members and is composed in such a way that:

• there is sufficient alignment with the foundation’s objectives;
• broad social ties and a functional network are established;
• there is a diverse range of professional backgrounds, areas of expertise, and disciplines, including educational, financial and economic, HR, housing and facilities management, IT, and organizational and public administration backgrounds;
• the members of the supervisory board act independently and critically toward one another and toward the executive board;
• that the roles of employer, advisor, monitor, and sounding board for the Executive Board, as well as the role of ambassador for ASKO as a whole, are adequately fulfilled. The annual meetings with the GMR serve as an important tool for this purpose.

Are you excited?

ASKO is being assisted in this process by the executive search firm Colourful People. You can apply by uploading your resume and cover letter (both in PDF format) by November 3 at the latest via www.colourfulpeople.nl. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Hatice Türkmen, senior partner at Colourful People, at 06 46 08 12 32. The preliminary interviews will take place on November 9 (via an online meeting). The first round of interviews at ASKO is scheduled for November 27, and the second round for December 1.