Member of the Supervisory Board, with a background in finance

Due to the departure of one of our members (as part of the rotation schedule), Wijs! is looking for a new member with a background in finance.

The general criteria for moderators at Wijs! are:

• an affinity with the foundation’s objectives, values, and mission;
• broad social ties and a functional network;
• the right balance between involvement and administrative distance;
• the ability and willingness to serve as a sounding board and advisor to the Executive Board;
• the ability to assess the broad outlines of the foundation’s policy;
• a good balance between the ability to provide advice and oversight as part of a team and to operate independently and critically;
• integrity and a sense of responsibility;
• an understanding of the requirements imposed on the foundation in terms of quality, efficiency, and continuity;
• general supervisory experience;
• a commitment to staying informed about developments in the field in which the foundation operates.

For the Supervisory Board, a diverse range of social backgrounds, areas of expertise, and disciplines is important. In addition to the general profile of the Supervisory Board, we are seeking a member with specific expertise in finance to serve on the Audit Committee. For this position, we are looking for a supervisor who meets the following criteria:

• Is a professional with knowledge of and experience in education funding, having gained this knowledge, for example, as a controller or head of operations at an educational organization.
• Is able to analyze and discuss financial matters based on various scenarios and desired educational developments.
• Is interested in the facts behind the figures; is able to ask follow-up questions about them in a constructive manner.
• Is a team player who, by staying true to their role, is able to engage the other supervisors in financial perspectives and developments in such a way that a substantive dialogue ensues and well-considered decisions are made.
• Serves as a valuable advisor and sounding board for both the board of directors and the auditor.
• Has an academic level of work and thinking.

Limited supervisory experience need not be a barrier to this role, provided the candidate has a strong understanding of governance in education.

Smart!

Wijs! provides elementary education in the municipality of Utrecht, with schools in Vleuten, De Meern, and Haarzuilens. We are a unique foundation with a large student body and relatively few schools, yet we maintain a village-like atmosphere within a metropolitan setting. The foundation currently operates six schools with over 3,000 students. In the future, Wijs! will open a new school in the newly developed Groenewoud neighborhood.

What makes Wijs! unique is that all schools operate based on a shared educational vision. Wijs! focuses on research and evidence-based practices, developing a knowledge-rich curriculum, and placing the teacher at the center.

As a foundation, we are committed to providing high-quality education to maximize opportunities for all students in secondary education and their participation in society. To achieve this, we invest heavily in professional development so that students can achieve better learning outcomes. This takes place within a professional and learning-oriented environment, where conscious action and exemplary behavior serve as key tools for our professionals. Our education focuses on three key areas: academic achievement, citizenship education, and personal leadership.

We have developed and articulated a vision based on four key areas: learning, organizing learning, professionalism, and change. This vision serves as the normative framework from which we ask the most important questions about education, namely: How does learning work? How can we organize this learning? What do we expect from a professional? How can the organization align with these principles?

Based on our vision of learning, we have “high expectations” for all of our students. We believe we can meet these high expectations by providing high-quality education that offers equal opportunities to all students, regardless of background. Students are more alike than they are different in the way they learn. What students know and how quickly they learn depends on their prior knowledge. To achieve this, we employ proven didactic and pedagogical strategies.

Remuneration

The honorarium is in accordance with the VTOI/NVTK guidelines and amounts to €3,650 gross per year.

The procedure

The Wijs! Board of Supervisors is working with the executive search firm Colourful People for recruitment and selection. Sandra Lutchman, Esq., a senior partner at Colourful People, would be happy to provide you with more information about the organization, the positions, and/or the application process. You can contact her via WhatsApp at 06 407 44 074.

Important dates:

• The deadline for responses isJanuary 10, 2025.
• Interviews for the position of Supervisory Board member (financial profile) will take place on a date to be determined at Wijs’s headquarters!

Are you interested?

If you would like to help us further realize our vision for the benefit of our students, teachers, other staff members, schools, and the Wijs! Foundation, we warmly invite you to apply. You can upload your resume and cover letter by clicking the “Apply” button on this page.