Acquisition and Development Manager

1. Brief profile

As the O&A Manager, you will lead the Development team. Together with your team, you will translate Cazas Wonen’s strategic direction into a robust and feasible new-construction portfolio. You will ensure that acquisition, development, and construction are approached in a coordinated manner and that projects are executed efficiently, thoughtfully, and in collaboration with partners. You lead a professional team, bring focus and confidence, and ensure that opportunities are actually capitalized on.

We are looking for an experienced manager who combines entrepreneurial spirit with collaborative leadership and in-depth knowledge of area and project development. Someone who can provide direction to a team in a dynamic environment, make a difference both internally and externally, and further strengthen collaboration. In this way, you will contribute to a development organization that tangibly enhances the quality of life for our residents in the Green Heart.

2. About Cazas Wonen 

Every day, Cazas Wonen works to ensure the housing well-being of more than 16,000 households across five municipalities (Utrecht, Woerden, Ronde Venen, Montfoort, and IJsselstein) in the Green Heart. In ourStrategic Plan 2023–2026, we translate our social mission into four major priorities: strengthening livable neighborhoods, building and maintaining sufficient and affordable housing, accelerating sustainability efforts, and working closely and collaboratively with our residents and partners. These challenges form the basis for our decisions and our way of working, guided by our core values: 

• Together, because we believe in connection, collaboration, and partnership.

• Be bold, because social challenges require courage, ingenuity, and clear decisions

• We do this because residential happiness isn’t created on paper but in practice, through tangible results that our tenants can actually feel.

We are a relatively young organization full of energy, ambition, and drive, formed on January 1, 2022, through the merger of Provides and GroenWest. We continue to build a shared identity and an organization that operates with a steady course, professionalism, and a forward-looking approach, without losing the warm, engaged, and personal character that defines us.

The region where we operate is undergoing rapid change: pressure on the housing market is mounting, the demographic makeup is shifting, there is a growing need for new housing models, and the challenge of making our communities more sustainable is becoming increasingly urgent. That is why Cazas Wonen is taking a deliberate stance. 

We seek to collaborate with residents, municipalities, healthcare organizations, social service partners, and fellow housing associations—because the challenges in our region can only be solved through cooperation. We aim to be an organization that is both steadfast and agile, guided by the interests of our tenants, and committed to strongly supporting the region in its efforts to build livable, sustainable, and future-proof communities.

3. The Power of Cazas 

The Power of Cazas is the program that guides our organizational development. In the“From Strategy to Practice” track, we work to achieve clarity, focus, and strategic consistency, ensuring that strategic decisions are translated into priorities that tangibly contribute to our tenants’ satisfaction with their living environment. In“Strengthening Organizational Connections,”we reinforce our culture, leadership, and collaboration: we build teams that work better together and take shared responsibility. The third track,“Digital Transformation,” makes the organization future-proof: through data-driven work, digital skills, and modern service delivery, we increase our effectiveness and agility.

The Executive Team (ET) serves as the collective leadership of Cazas Wonen. Comprising five directors and the CEO, the ET sets the strategic direction, establishes frameworks, and guides development, ensuring a consistent, ethical, and predictable approach to management. In a young organization that is constantly evolving, the MT plays a key role in creating stability, clarity, and prioritization, so that the organization knows where it stands. 

4. About the Real Estate Division

The Real Estate Division consists of approximately 55 employees and is responsible for implementing Cazas Wonen’s real estate strategy. Real estate development, scheduled maintenance, and day-to-day maintenance have been consolidated into a single division. This marks an important step toward a more integrated approach to work, in which decisions regarding development, maintenance, and management are made in a coordinated manner. The Real Estate Division is led by the Real Estate Director, a manager, and two team managers. The division consists of three units:

The Development Team (O) focuseson expanding and renewing Cazas Wonen’s housing stock. This team plans and executes new construction projects, redevelopment initiatives, and acquisitions. It works closely with municipalities, developers, and other partners to bring projects to fruition that align with the strategic portfolio and address the region’s social challenges.

The Planned Maintenance and Major Maintenance (PO/GO) Teamis responsible for the planned maintenance, renovation, and sustainability improvements of the existing real estate portfolio. Based on long-term maintenance plans, the team ensures the quality, safety, and sustainability of the housing stock. The team works closely with RGS chain partners and maintenance contractors and plays a key role in further professionalizing project management and results-oriented collaboration.

The Daily Maintenance and Contract Maintenance (DO/CO) team isresponsible for ensuring that the housing units function properly in day-to-day use. The team organizes and oversees repair maintenance, move-in/move-out maintenance, and technical services for residents. The focus is on providing fast and reliable service, with an emphasis on the livability of the complexes and tenant satisfaction.

5. About the Development Team 

5.1 Role and Responsibility 

Cazas Wonen is an ambitious housing association with a substantial new-construction program. With a growing and diverse project portfolio—ranging from inner-city new construction to innovative timber-frame buildings and flexible housing—the team is working to build at least 200 to 250 homes per year, with the goal of delivering approximately 2,500 new homes by 2032.Sustainability and innovation are central: homes are built without gas, and the company is actively working on climate-adaptive and future-proof solutions. In doing so, Cazas Wonen positions itself as a progressive and decisive player in the region.

The team is fully responsible for initiating, acquiring, developing, and completing new construction (including demolition) and redevelopment projects, thereby making a direct contribution to the societal goal of adding more affordable and sustainable housing in the Green Heart. This responsibility spans the entire development chain: from identifying market opportunities and acquiring sites, through concept development and planning, to the completion and handover of projects. In doing so, the team actively works toward a healthy and future-proof project portfolio, in which projects are at various stages and continuity in production is ensured.

5.2 Composition and Culture 

The team consists of a small group of professionals: development managers, project leaders, and project support staff. It comprises nine full-time employees, supplemented by a flexible pool of external resources depending on the scope and phase of the projects. Despite its relatively small size, the team operates on a large scale and achieves above-average productivity.

Our colleagues are highly skilled, committed to their projects, and intrinsically motivated to contribute to Cazas Wonen’s social mission. Project leaders bring technical and implementation expertise, developers excel in feasibility studies and transactions, and together they form a complementary team.

The team culture is professional, open, and strongly collaborative. Employees work on complex and socially relevant projects, with a high degree of autonomy and the freedom to shape their roles independently. At the same time, there is a strong sense of camaraderie: colleagues actively seek each other out, share knowledge, and work together to tackle challenging issues.

What sets the team apart is its combination of a passion for the subject matter and a pragmatic approach to work. The atmosphere is one in which trust is paramount, dilemmas can be openly discussed, and continuous learning and improvement are second nature. The tangible impact of their work, the challenging nature of the tasks, and the pleasant working environment ensure that employees feel engaged and remain committed to the team over the long term.

 5.3 Key Challenges 

The most important challenges arise at three levels: within the region, within the organization, and within the team.

Within the region

The challenges the team will face in the coming years are largely determined by an increasingly complex external environment. The availability of sites is under pressure, competition among housing associations is intensifying, and municipal processes are becoming slower and less predictable due to capacity issues and administrative dynamics. At the same time, the social urgency to add housing is growing, but decisions must also be made based on the (financial) capabilities of Cazas Wonen. This requires a strong regional presence, an active and sustainable network, and the ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities early and effectively in a playing field with many stakeholders and diverse interests.

Within the organization

There is also a clear development challenge within the organization. Cazas Wonen is in a phase of ongoing development, in which structure, collaboration, and the division of roles are being further strengthened. For the team, this means actively contributing to improving collaboration with other departments within the organization, such as asset management and maintenance, and to integrated decision-making on projects. The increasing restructuring challenge—where projects are shifting more frequently from maintenance to demolition/new construction—also requires closer coordination and broader considerations. In this context, there is a need for stability, clear frameworks, and leadership that provides direction and cohesion.

Within the team

Within the team itself, the challenge lies in further strengthening its execution capabilities and professionalism without losing the strength of the current culture. With a compact team, the team manages a substantial project portfolio and faces the challenge of keeping this output controlled and predictable in the future. This requires sharp portfolio management, clear priorities, and a good balance between professional autonomy and collective leadership. At the same time, it is important to maintain and further strengthen the strong mutual cooperation, trust, and commitment, so that the team can continue to operate successfully even in a more complex and demanding environment.

6. Profile of the O&A Manager

The O&A Manager is a strong and collaborative professional who effortlessly bridges the gap between strategy and execution. You understand the dynamics of area and project development and know how to turn an opportunity into a viable project. At the same time, you are a leader who is close to the team and able to empower people. 

As a professional

You have extensive experience in project and area development and are familiar with the landscape of housing associations, municipalities, and market players. You understand how acquisition works: you know where opportunities arise, how to develop them, and how to secure them. You have a relevant network or are able to build one quickly and utilize it effectively. You have a keen eye for feasibility and risks and are able to thoroughly assess projects from financial, legal, and procedural perspectives. You know how to build a project portfolio and manage it to maintain a healthy balance between opportunities and concrete projects, with an eye for completion rates and continuity. In addition, you are capable of thinking creatively and entrepreneurially. You see connections, combine opportunities, and know how to position Cazas Wonen distinctively in a competitive and complex market.

As a leader

You are a hands-on leader who stands alongside your employees. You instill trust, provide autonomy, and delegate responsibility, fostering an open work environment where people speak up, collaborate, and learn from one another. You are approachable and engaged, without resorting to micromanagement. You provide structure, direction, and clarity. You know how to set priorities, maintain an overview of a complex portfolio, and make decisive decisions when necessary. You help employees stay focused and achieve results, even in an environment where not everything is straightforward. You are able to provide calm and stability in an organization that is evolving, while simultaneously driving progress. You switch seamlessly between different levels: from brainstorming with your team on substantive issues to operating within an administrative and political context.

As a partner

You have a keen sense of political and administrative dynamics, strong communication skills, and a high profile. You navigate the network of municipalities, developers, and other partners with ease and know how to build and maintain relationships. You understand administrative dynamics and know when to accelerate, connect, or hold steady. Internally, you are a bridge-builder. You actively seek collaboration with other departments within Cazas Wonen and know how to reconcile differing interests. You are a strong discussion partner for the management team and the director, and you can handle different styles and expectations.

7. Terms of Employment

We offer you a position with significant social impact, within an organization that is rapidly evolving and where your work directly contributes to the housing well-being of thousands of tenants. You can count on an attractive benefits package, including a salary in scale N (CAO Woondiensten) ranging from €6,683 to €9,830 gross per month for a 36-hour workweek, a fixed year-end bonus of 4%, and a personal training and health budget. In addition, Cazas Wonen offers excellent benefits, ample opportunities for professional and personal development, and the option to work hybrid where appropriate. You’ll be part of an environment that fosters growth—both your own and that of the people you work with. 

8. Follow-up procedure

Cazas Wonen is being assisted in this process by the executive search firm Colourful People.
For more information, please contact Michiel van Kruijsbergen, senior partner at Colourful People, at 06-53476733 orm.van.kruijsbergen@colourfulpeople.nl

You can upload your cover letter and resume via the application form on the Colourful People website. Please submit your application by May 17, 2026.

Job interviews at Cazas Wonen will take place on June 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on June 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.