Member of the Supervisory Board with an Education Profile

General

We are VISTA, the leading educational institution in the South! We believe in the power of education to help people grow, connect, and make a lasting impact on society. Our mission is clear: to guide students toward personal development, active citizenship, and a successful career. In this way, together we make a meaningful contribution to our region and beyond. Our world is constantly changing, and we are evolving with it. This requires a forward-looking vision and strong leadership. That is why we are seeking a committed and inspiring member with an educational background to join our Board of Trustees—someone who is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and innovative organization. Together, we will work to implement our strategic roadmap, Goudkijken (2025–2030).

At VISTA, we look beyond the present. “Goudkijken” is rooted in the belief that we can see and harness the gold within ourselves and our surroundings. This calls for leadership that listens, values, and takes action. Together with you, we want to advance this vision.

Our core values—respect, collaboration, curiosity, and initiative—form the foundation of our actions. They guide everything we do and shape how we work together to shape the future of education.

About VISTA College

• Locations: Main offices in Heerlen, Sittard, and Maastricht.
• Size: More than 13,000 students and participants, 230 programs, and 1,600 staff members.
• Program offerings: From hospitality and technology to IT, healthcare, services, and social services.
• Flexibility: Full-time, part-time, and customized programs.
• Customized Solutions: Corporate Training and Civic Integration Courses.

Our strategy focuses on sustainable growth, innovation, and inclusion, and we build connections between students, staff, partners, and the region.

Board of Trustees

VISTA College is governed by an Executive Board consisting of three members, including the chair. The Executive Board is responsible for day-to-day management and the achievement of strategic goals. In addition, VISTA College has a Supervisory Board (RvT); this body oversees operations, provides advice, and acts as the employer for the Executive Board. The collaboration between the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board is based on the principles of the Sector Code for Good Governance in Vocational Education. Transparency, integrity, and continuous professional development are central to this code.

Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board consists of six members, including the chair, and combines continuity, diversity, and fresh perspectives. The Board oversees the Executive Board’s policies and the general state of affairs at VISTA College.

Formal duties and characteristics of the Board of Trustees

In addition to its role as an employer, the Board has a number of formal responsibilities. For example, it oversees the Executive Board’s policies and decision-making and evaluates them against VISTA College’s strategic goals and core values. It also advises the Executive Board, both upon request and on its own initiative, with a focus on social impact, educational innovation, and sustainable growth. Furthermore, it serves as a sounding board and source of inspiration for the Executive Board in setting the strategic course. Finally, it ensures VISTA College’s connection with its social environment and evaluates how the organization serves societal goals. The context in which VISTA operates is by no means unimportant. After all, educational institutions are under significant societal pressure. Society and the government closely monitor our actions. This context requires not only professionalism and transparency from the Executive Board but also from the Board of Trustees.
In carrying out its supervisory role, the Supervisory Board adheres to a number of key supervisory principles.

• Assessment: The Executive Board’s performance is evaluated based on policy, results, and the core values of respect, collaboration, curiosity, and entrepreneurship.
• Critical distance and engagement: Oversight implies engagement without taking the lead. It is essential that the Executive Board provide accurate information.
• Active oversight: The Supervisory Board actively seeks feedback from internal and external stakeholders and evaluates it independently and critically.
• Independence: The members of the Supervisory Board act with integrity, independence, and impartiality.

General requirements for the Board of Trustees as a whole

The Board of Trustees strives for a broad and complementary mix of expertise and experience. This means that the Board of Trustees possesses ample knowledge and experience in the areas of educational quality, innovation, organizational development, HRM, and employee participation. There is also knowledge and experience regarding (social) entrepreneurship, relevant societal developments, and developments in the labor market, as well as the position, interests, and experiences of students. Political and administrative experience, along with an affinity for educational collaboration in the region, is abundantly present. Finally, there is ample financial, business, and legal expertise, as well as knowledge of developments in the fields of ICT, digitization, and AI in education and operations.

General characteristics of each member of the Board of Trustees

VISTA has identified a number of general characteristics that every member of the Board of Trustees must meet. For example, each member possesses strong communication and interpersonal skills and has demonstrable knowledge of the organization, governance, and oversight. He or she is also a strong discussion partner who can provide critical, constructive, and strategic advice. Each member shares an affinity with VISTA College’s mission and strategy, as well as with the social role of vocational education, and contributes to the strategic direction “Goudkijken” by forging connections and capitalizing on opportunities both within and outside the organization. Each member possesses a relevant network and can contribute to strengthening connections with (EU) regional partners; they are independent, impartial, and act with integrity. It is also important that each member values diversity and inclusion, contributes to a diverse composition of the Board, and is willing to delve into the organization and its challenges, while respecting the culture and context of the region. Finally, each member of the Board of Trustees possesses an academic level of work and thinking and is capable and willing to govern at a strategic level.

Qualifications for a Board of Trustees Member with an Educational Profile

For the Education profile, we are seeking a member who possesses in-depth knowledge and experience in the field of educational quality and innovation, can interpret and assess educational outcomes within their context, and can contribute inspiring insights on the role of digitization and other innovations within education and the labor market. He or she is capable of not only understanding current trends and developments in vocational education but also translating them into opportunities for VISTA College. The new member of the Board of Trustees will join the Education Committee and will actively contribute to the quality assurance of our education.

Why is this role challenging?

At VISTA, as a member of the Board of Trustees, you’ll have a unique opportunity to contribute and make an impact in an organization that is constantly growing, innovating, and bringing people together. As a member of the Board of Trustees, you’ll work alongside a diverse, passionate, and expert team committed to inclusion, quality, and sustainable development. Do you want to join us in making a difference in education? If so, we warmly invite you to apply before February 25 Please apply via the "Apply" button on the job listing page. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 1March 8 coming

For more information, please contact Judith Gunneweg, Senior Partner at the executive search firm Colourful People. She is overseeing this process on behalf of Vista College (j.gunneweg@colourfulpeople.nl or 06 – 51 51 55 67). We look forward to hearing from you.

Please share this great opportunity with your network.