Member of the Supervisory Board

Regio College is a small-scale vocational college offering a wide range of vocational training programs and adult education. Thanks to its small scale, Regio College is able to operate efficiently and flexibly, and its educational programs are organized in a clear and appealing manner. Regio College’s main campus is in Zaandam. There is also a branch in Purmerend where vocational education is offered in collaboration with Horizon College. A large number of technical programs are offered at various locations throughout the region and at practical training sites affiliated with Regio College, in collaboration with the relevant industries. The sports programs are based at Topsportcentrum De Koog in Koog aan de Zaan.

Regio College currently provides education to approximately 5,300 students with a staff of about 500 (400 full-time equivalents). Its financial position is sound. Plans are currently being made for a merger with Horizon College, a regional vocational college with campuses in Alkmaar, Hoorn, Heerhugowaard, and Purmerend. A decision on this matter is expected to be made shortly.

Mission

The mission of Regio College, as set forth in the strategic plan “Regio College 2020 – Renew and Strengthen,” is as follows.

“Regio College trains young people and adults to pursue careers that match their abilities and aspirations. With their diploma, they either enter the workforce directly or continue their education in higher vocational education. We also help them develop personally and find their place in society. We focus primarily on the labor market in the Zaanstreek-Waterland region. In this region, we offer a wide range of MBO programs, adult education, and educational pathways. Our MBO programs cover the fields of technology, economics & commerce, and healthcare & welfare. Within each field, we offer programs at all levels and in both tracks (the vocational training track and the work-based learning track). We provide education to both students entering directly from secondary school and to working adults seeking continuing education.

Organizational Structure

The educational program is organized into three schools:

• The School of Technology & ICT
• The School of Economics & Tourism
• The School of Health Care, Social Services & Sports

There are two support services:

• The Educational Support Department
• The Operations Department

In addition, there is a Planning & Control team, an independent ombudsman and confidential advisor, and a small administrative office. The Executive Board consists of a single member. The directors of the schools and departments, the Executive Board, the controller, and the administrative secretary together form the management team. Regio College has a participatory governance structure comprising a works council and a student council.

Supervisory Board: Responsibilities and Operations

The Supervisory Board is the body established in the articles of incorporation that is responsible for overseeing the Executive Board. Together with the Executive Board, the Supervisory Board constitutes the governing body of the institution. The Board’s tasks include: acting as the employer of the Executive Board, supervising and monitoring the institution’s management, reviewing decision-making, and providing solicited and unsolicited advice to the Executive Board, all in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and the Board Regulations. This explicitly requires the board to function at a strategic level by forming a general assessment of a number of strategic issues and exchanging views on these with the Executive Board, while striking the right balance between involvement and detachment. The proposed merger with Horizon College is a prominent issue for the board.

The supervisory board operates on the basis of collective, comprehensive responsibility, whereby all members must be able to contribute. The cycle of good governance (functioning of the Supervisory Board, interaction with the Executive Board, internal information provision, internal and social accountability, in accordance with the Sector Code for Good Governance in Vocational Education) serves as the guiding principle for governance, supervision, and accountability. The Board has translated this into a supervisory framework.

Diversity and Complementarity

It is important that the supervisory board be composed in such a way that its members collectively possess the necessary knowledge, experience, and networks to assess the organization’s objectives in a broad sense. At the same time, the board must be broadly informed about societal issues. For this reason, members maintain their own networks (which may also include stakeholders) and are, at a minimum, familiar with networks relevant to the institution. Each member of the board must be a generalist with the necessary qualities to weigh various aspects holistically, focusing on the interests of the institution as a whole. In addition to these qualities, each member possesses specific expertise that is utilized to enhance the quality of the supervisory board as a whole. A diverse range of experience and backgrounds among the members of the supervisory board that is relevant to the institution is important. This diversity is desirable in terms of gender, age, cultural background, administrative and executive experience, professional circles, networks, and disciplines. Attention will also be paid to ensuring an adequate balance of regional representation within the catchment area of the educational institution.

Composition, Consultation, and Committees

The supervisory board consists of a chairperson and four members. One member is appointed upon the recommendation of the works council. There are approximately six plenary meetings per year. The board has three committees: an audit committee, an education committee, and a compensation committee. The board consults with the works council and the student council at least twice a year. The agenda for meetings with the Executive Board is prepared jointly by the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board.

Members of the Supervisory Board are appointed for a term of four years. Members may be reappointed for a maximum of one additional four-year term. Members’ compensation is commensurate with the responsibilities of the position and in accordance with the guidelines of the Senior Executives’ Remuneration Act.

General profile characteristics of supervisory board members

The guiding principle for the composition of the supervisory board is the formation of a multidisciplinary team. The general profile requirements for each member of the supervisory board include the following experience, qualities, and competencies:

• Academic level of work and thinking;
• Extensive managerial experience with and strategic-managerial insight into large organizations;
• The ability to act at the strategic level by forming a general assessment of matters submitted by the board of directors and by evaluating the educational institution’s policies;
• Ability to demonstrate commitment to the operation of Regio College as an educational institution, while respecting the distinct roles of management and oversight;
• Understanding the perspectives of other stakeholders (political/societal);
• Possession of an active professional network, preferably also in the region, and strong ties to the social sectors that are important to the Regio College;
• An affinity with the objectives, target groups, and activities of Regio College;
• Ability to perform advisory and supervisory roles as part of a team;
• Integrity, a sense of responsibility, an independent mindset, and the ability to engage in critical self-reflection;
• Able to apply the aforementioned qualities and competencies in the context of the preparation, decision-making, and implementation of the proposed merger with Horizon College;
• Sufficient availability and energy to commit to performing the job effectively.

Job Opening: Supervisory Board Member with a Focus on Education (Quality)

A member of the board resigned on June 1, 2022, to take up a position in public administration. Regio College is therefore seeking a member for its board of trustees who has expertise in education and knowledge of and experience in vocational education.

The quality of education is a key priority for the board. The new member must have a vision and experience—at least at the systemic level—regarding quality culture and issues such as student success, teaching practices, and quality assurance. The new member is expected to make an active contribution in these areas, drawing on his or her expertise and experience in vocational education.

The intention is that the prospective member will, in any case, remain on the supervisory board to be formed following the proposed merger with Horizon College.

The council aims to achieve a composition characterized by diversity in terms of gender and socio-cultural background, thereby reflecting the student body of Regio College. Given the current composition, the council is specifically seeking a member who can bring more diversity to the council and serve as a unifying force for the student body.

Procedure

Regio College is working with the executive search firm Colourful People for its recruitment and selection process. Rick Verhoeven, a senior partner at Colourful People, would be happy to provide you with more information about Regio College, the board member position, and/or the application process. You can contact him via WhatsApp at 06 26706757. You can upload your cover letter and resume (both in PDF format) via the 'Apply' button on this page.

Schedule

• The deadline for submitting comments is November 12, 2022.
• The interviews with the selection committee are scheduled for weeks 48 and 49.
• The appointment will take effect on January 1, 2023.