Operations Manager

That is why we are looking for an Operations Manager—a strategic organizational leader with a passion for social work and care—who will further develop and firmly establish our new service organization.

Every day, more than 3,300 employees and over 2,500 volunteers bring this vision to life. They do so at residential care facilities, in neighborhoods and communities, and in people’s homes. Surplus offers a comprehensive range of services in the areas of counseling & treatment, social work, community nursing, and residential care in West Brabant. With operations in eleven municipalities, Surplus contributes daily to the well-being and quality of life of thousands of people. With a turnover of over €221 million, Surplus is one of the largest social service organizations in West Brabant.

The world around us is changing rapidly. The demand for social work and care is shifting, the labor market remains tight, technological developments are advancing at a rapid pace, and pressure on available resources is growing. At the same time, Surplus wants to continue investing in personal attention, quality, and innovation. This requires an agile organization and an operational structure that not only supports but actively contributes to fulfilling our social mission. For this important role, we are seeking an Operations Manager—a strategic, collaborative, and people-oriented leader who can steer a modern service organization and ensure that professionals can do their work to the best of their ability.

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About Surplus:

We operate on the belief that people thrive best when they retain as much control as possible over their own lives. That is why Surplus supports residents close to home, in their neighborhood, and within their own community. Recently, Surplus has restructured its support organization. Driven by the ambition to work more decisively, with greater future-proofing, and in a more connected manner, we have opted for a service organization consisting of three domains: Strategy & Innovation, People & Organization, and Operations.

The Operations Manager reports directly to the Board of Directors and is a member of the management team. Within the Operations division, approximately 170 employees (104 FTE) work in finance, real estate, healthcare sales, facilities management, information services, IT, customer service, privacy, information security, and risk management.

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The challenge:

Surplus is currently undergoing a period of transformation. The organization is working to further strengthen its services, develop new forms of support and care, advance digitalization, make its real estate more sustainable, and establish an organizational structure that is ready for the future. At the same time, the labor market demands new solutions, and it remains essential to maintain a sharp focus on financial sustainability.

This presents a wonderful and challenging opportunity for the Operations Manager. You will continue to shape a service organization that doesn’t think in terms of systems or processes, but rather focuses on what professionals need to provide effective support and care. You will ensure that operations add visible value to the organization. This means that you are not only responsible for a well-functioning department, but also actively contribute to organizational development, collaboration, and innovation. The structure of the service organization is in place. The next step is perhaps even more important: further strengthening the collaboration between the support services and the teams within Social Work and Care. As Operations Manager, you play a key role in this. You help build mutual trust, clarify expectations, and ensure that support and execution reinforce each other.

In addition, real estate is a key strategic focus area within your portfolio. Surplus has an extensive real estate portfolio and addresses issues related to renovation, sustainability, new construction, and future-proof residential care facilities. You will ensure that real estate decisions align with Surplus’s strategic direction, are financially sound, and contribute to high-quality care and support.

Key tasks include:

• further developing the new service organization;
• improving the quality and accessibility of services within Operations;
• further developing digitization, information provision, and data-driven work;
• developing a future-proof real estate strategy;
• strengthening integrated risk management and information security;
• ensuring long-term financial stability;
• contributing to organization-wide change and innovation initiatives.

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The position:

As Operations Manager, you serve as a key advisor to the board of directors and fellow managers. You develop a clear vision for the role of operations within Surplus and translate this into concrete plans, priorities, and results. In doing so, you constantly maintain a balance between quality, service, innovation, and financial feasibility.

You will lead a diverse team of professionals and managers. You will provide clarity, establish focus, and encourage ownership and collaboration. You will ensure that finance, real estate, information services, IT, healthcare sales, and facility services do not operate as separate disciplines, but work together toward a single goal: to provide optimal support to professionals in social work and healthcare in their work. You will work closely with fellow managers from People & Organization and Strategy & Innovation on the further development of the service organization and on organization-wide change initiatives. In addition, you will represent Surplus in relevant external networks and partnerships.

Who are we looking for?

A leader who provides direction without creating distance. Someone who can think strategically, simplify complex issues, and inspire people to take action. As an Operations Manager, you’ll recognize yourself in the following profile:

• extensive experience in a management role with overall responsibility within a complex organization;
• experience in business operations, organizational development, and change management;
• experience managing professionals, managers, and multidisciplinary teams;
• an understanding of the interrelationship between finance, real estate, digitalization, service delivery, and strategic development;
• the ability to translate strategic decisions into actionable plans and tangible results;
• an affinity with the social mission of social work and care;
• academic level of work and thinking, preferably acquired through a degree in business administration, business economics, public administration, or a related field;
• Experience within a healthcare organization, a VVT facility, a social work organization, or a similar social setting is preferred.

Experience in the healthcare or social services sector is a plus, but not required. What’s more important is that you understand how to support professionals in organizations where social value is a core priority.

What do you bring to the table?

• A holistic perspective: You think both broadly and in depth, and are able to align the organizational strategy with the operational strategy for the coming years. You see the big picture, identify connections, and maintain a clear overview, even when issues are complex.
• Connective leadership: You are visible, approachable, and accessible. You listen, ask questions, and know how to bring people from different disciplines together around a common goal.
• Change Management: You have experience in organizational development and understand that sustainable change starts with people. You drive progress without losing sight of the bigger picture.
• Organizational Developer: You thrive on helping organizations grow and evolve. You have the ability to shape and firmly establish a new service organization while simultaneously ensuring the continuity, stability, and quality of day-to-day operations. You know when change is needed and when calm and clarity are essential.
• Strategic acumen: You actively follow developments in healthcare, social services, digitalization, and business operations, and understand what these mean for Surplus.
• Organizational sensitivity: You understand organizational dynamics and navigate with ease between the board of directors, management, professionals, employee representative bodies, and external partners.
• Results-oriented: You maintain focus, make decisions, and ensure that plans are actually carried out.

Why Surplus?

Surplus operates in West Brabant and works from various locations throughout the region. With us, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of an organization that makes a difference in people’s lives every day. You’ll join an organization with dedicated employees, passionate volunteers, and a clear social mission. An organization that’s rapidly evolving and where there’s room to make a real impact. Now more than ever, you can help build a service organization that supports professionals, enables innovation, and ensures that Surplus can continue to see people for who they are in the future.

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Interested?

For more information about the position or the application process, please contact René Burgler, a partner at Colourful People, at +31628575436 orr.burgler@colourfulpeople.nl. Please submit your application by Sunday, June 28, 2026, viathe Colourful People website. A confirmation email will follow upon receipt of your application. If you do not receive this confirmation, please contact us via WhatsApp as soon as possible.

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Terms of employment: 

The position of Operations Manager is classified under scale 75 of the VVT collective bargaining agreement. This is a full-time position (36 hours per week). Surplus offers a challenging leadership role within a socially responsible organization that is rapidly evolving. In addition to a competitive salary, Surplus offers excellent benefits in accordance with the VVT collective bargaining agreement, as well as opportunities for personal development and growth.

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Procedure: 

Colourful People is handling the recruitment and selection process for this position on behalf of Surplus. The process is being managed by René Burgler. We strive to ensure a thorough, transparent, and pleasant process for everyone involved. Throughout the process, we will keep candidates actively informed of its progress.

The schedule is as follows:

• June 28, 2026 – deadline for comments
• June 30–July 2, 2026 – preliminary interviews with Colourful People
• July 13, 2026 – first round of interviews with the selection and advisory committee
• July 15, 2026 – second round of talks with the board of directors

A background check is part of the process. We aim to complete the process in July.

We believe that diversity in background, experience, perspective, and talent makes organizations stronger. That is why we warmly invite anyone who fits this profile to apply. We would greatly appreciate it if you could share this job opening with your network.