Member of the Supervisory Board with an HR background

The Athena Waldorf Schools Foundation (hereinafter: Athena) represents 15 Waldorf schools in the northern, eastern, and central regions of the Netherlands. In addition to 14 elementary schools, Athena also operates the only Waldorf school for special secondary education (VSO) in the Netherlands. Athena educates over 2,800 students and employs 360 staff members. For Athena’s Supervisory Board, we are seeking a unifying supervisor with an HR background who brings a fresh perspective to educational and organizational development and has experience in supervisory roles.

Management and Oversight

The director bears ultimate responsibility, oversees the department heads, and provides day-to-day leadership to the administrative office. The director consults regularly with and reports to the Supervisory Board and the General Parent Council, and holds preliminary meetings with the chair of the Supervisory Board and the executive committee of the General Parent Council. Each school has its own School Council, in which staff and parents are represented in equal numbers. The Board of Trustees (RvT) is responsible for internal oversight within Athena. With regard to the director, the RvT acts as the employer. Athena has implemented the Code of Good Governance. Information about the organization and the Board of Trustees can be found at: Athena Waldorf Schools organization.

General Characteristics of the Supervisory Board

The Board of Trustees consists of five members with expertise in the following areas: business administration, legal affairs, human resources, educational quality, Waldorf identity, and administrative relations, governance, and strategy. The knowledge and experience of the board members complement one another and reflect the aforementioned areas of focus. The aim is to ensure that the Board’s composition reflects societal diversity. The vacancy concerns an appointment upon the recommendation of the General Student Council (GMR) and the area of focus HR.

Profile of a Board of Trustees Member

The general managerial skills and personal qualities required are:

• An affinity with the education sector, and with Waldorf schools in particular, and a respect for the anthroposophical view of humanity;
• Experience with the functioning of supervisory boards;
• Able to assess and analyze complex issues;
• Is familiar with administrative networks and invests in them;
• Able to translate social and political signals into Athena’s policies;
• Vision for the future structure of education;
• Able to act independently and critically in relation to other board members and the CEO;
• Focused on collaboration and teamwork;
• Strong learning ability and self-reflection.

Specific qualifications for the Supervisory Board member to be recruited with an HR background

The specific skills required are:

• A strong understanding of administrative relationships and processes, as well as insight into issues related to administration and governance;
• Has relevant experience in or a network related to modern employment practices/HR within the education sector or other social organizations;
• Experience in strategic human resources management;
• Extensive experience with employee participation and the role of the GMR within the organization;
• Staying abreast of current trends regarding teacher shortages and educational developments, and contributing ideas for innovative solutions;
• Vision regarding the duties and role of the managing director and the Supervisory Board’s role as employer;
• Focuses on the "human side" of things and has strong interpersonal skills;
• An interest in anthroposophy, along with the ability to support it and understand its implications for the design and organization of education.

In an effort to increase diversity within the organization, we encourage candidates with a bicultural background or diverse interests and experience to apply.

Commitment and expectations

The board is responsible for serving as an engaging and relevant discussion partner for the director. The board commits to holding at least five meetings per year, including one for self-evaluation, and as many more as desired. An average time commitment of approximately 80–100 hours per year is assumed. This includes Supervisory Board meetings, meetings with the General Parents’ Council, committee meetings, training days, and working visits.

General Information: Athena Free Schools Foundation

Athena offers education based on Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophical principles and is open to anyone who feels drawn to this approach. Athena aims to promote, support, sustain, and develop Waldorf education within its area of operation. Athena provides Waldorf education in healthy schools, where the seed of each child’s own life purpose can come to fruition. At Athena’s schools, these values are summarized as: coherence, mastery, attentiveness, creativity, vitality, and courage. Athena aims to realize its vision by:

• To collaborate with government agencies and other educational institutions and organizations that pursue the same or related goals
• Contributing to the development of Waldorf education and pedagogy, and supporting and promoting research
• Promoting and facilitating anthroposophical education for children aged 0–14 and in special education (VSO) up to age 19.

The four areas of development in which Athena aims to make progress over the next four years are identity, quality, being a good and attractive employer, and professionalism. These four areas of development receive special attention in the overarching strategy and have also been incorporated into the school plans of each individual school.

Compensation

When determining the remuneration of members of the Supervisory Board, the laws and regulations governing the compensation of senior executives in the (semi-)public sector and the Industry Code are taken into account. The remuneration of the members of the Supervisory Board is in accordance with the applicable standards and amounts to approximately €10,000 per year.

Procedure

Athena’s Supervisory Board is being assisted in the recruitment and selection process by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more information about Athena, the Supervisory Board, and the position, please contact Monique Spaansen, a partner at Colourful People (M. Spaansen@colourfulpeople.nl). You can express your interest by submitting a cover letter and resume via the Colourful People website by June 1. Interviews with the selection committee are scheduled for Tuesday, June 27. The Supervisory Board will make the final decision on the appointment and, if necessary, conduct a second round of interviews with one or more of the eligible candidates to reach a decision. The goal is for the new supervisor to start in July.