Administrative Office Manager / Deputy Director

About SPW

The Housing Associations Pension Fund Foundation (SPW) is the industry-wide pension fund for everyone who works or has worked in the housing association sector. With assets under management of €16 billion and over 75,000 members, SPW ranks among the twenty largest pension funds in the Netherlands. SPW is committed to providing a financially sound and future-proof pension and is valued by its members as solid and reliable. SPW’s mission is to deliver a pension that retains its value at affordable contribution rates and acceptable risk levels. But at SPW, pensions are about more than just numbers and returns. Drawing on the social commitment that characterizes housing associations, SPW strives for sound administration of the pension plan and a transparent, accessible, and socially responsible relationship with its stakeholders. Through the digitization and modernization of its services, SPW continues to operate with a forward-looking approach, without unnecessary experimentation. The fund chooses to be a frontrunner based on proven and reliable IT solutions, so that participants can count on stable and efficient pension management. 

The challenge

The Future Pensions Act (Wtp) and the transition to the new pension system effective January 1, 2026, present both challenges and opportunities. This calls for a decisive and agile SPW that not only anticipates changing laws and regulations and the increasing complexity of governance and risk management, but also keeps the diverse needs of a growing group of pensioners in mind. This requires the Executive Office to have strategic insight and a solid understanding of the new system, so that SPW can respond in a timely and effective manner to developments that put the participant at the center.

The Board 

The SPW Board is responsible for the pension fund’s policy and operations and consists of representatives of employers, employees, pensioners, and an independent member. Together with participants and stakeholders, SPW is building a strong and forward-looking pension fund in which financial stability, social responsibility, and engagement go hand in hand. The Director of the Executive Office is a member of the Executive Committee and has been designated by the Board as a co-policy maker. 

Your role 

As Manager of the Executive Office, you play a central role in the day-to-day operations and strategic support within SPW. You report directly to the Director of the Executive Office and act as Deputy Director in his or her absence. You also serve as Executive Secretary. You will lead a team of 10 highly qualified professionals working in the areas of pension administration, communications, asset management, and risk management. Through your leadership, you will ensure that the Executive Office functions optimally and contribute to a future-proof and agile pension fund. You will create the conditions in which innovation, collaboration, and efficiency come together. 

Your main responsibilities

• As Executive Secretary to both the Executive Committee and the Board, you are responsible for preparing and coordinating actions and ensuring that they are followed up on in a timely manner.
• Develop yourself so that, when the time comes, you will be a strong candidate to succeed the Director of the Administrative Office.
• Manage the Executive Office and ensure optimal collaboration among the professionals.
• Supporting and assisting the Director of the Administrative Office.
• Optimizing work processes.
• Strategic consulting by developing improvement plans and fostering innovation.
• Facilitating communication between management and staff, and serving as the link between strategy and operations. 
• Management of external partnerships and contract management with APG and ASR.

Who are you?

You are a collaborative, inspiring, and decisive professional with leadership and organizational skills. You are able to inspire and effectively lead teams in a complex and ever-changing environment.

Your profile

• Academic level of work and thinking. 
• Relevant (management) experience in the pension sector is required.
• A passionate professional with knowledge of and experience in institutional investing and rights management within pension funds. 
• Experience with process optimization and change management, preferably in a dynamic work environment with a complex stakeholder group.
• Inclusive and unifying leadership that fosters effective collaboration among diverse stakeholders with different perspectives and backgrounds. 
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to combine strategic thinking with operational execution.
• Excellent communication skills, combined with the ability to report clearly and build support among various stakeholders.

What do we offer?

At SPW, we offer an attractive benefits package for this challenging role that is commensurate with the responsibilities of the position. This includes:

• SPW has its own compensation policy, which is reviewed every five years, and also adheres to the Collective Labor Agreement for Housing Services. We offer a competitive gross annual salary, including vacation pay and a fixed year-end bonus.
• Flexible work hours and the option to work remotely, so you can achieve a good work-life balance.
• Investment in professional growth and development, including access to training and educational programs.
• A company car or travel allowance, depending on your needs and our policy.
• An open and inclusive work environment where diversity is valued and collaboration is key.

At SPW, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential for better decision-making, innovation, and sustainable growth. We strive to build a team that brings together different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. That is why we encourage candidates who contribute to diversity within SPW to apply.

Application Process

SPW is being assisted in this process by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more information about the position, please contact Judith Gunneweg, senior partner at Colourful People. She can be reached at 06-51515567 or via j.gunneweg@colourfulpeople.nl. Interested candidates can upload their cover letter and resume via the application form on the website. The job interviews at SPW are scheduled for May 27.

We would appreciate it if you could share this wonderful opportunity within your own network.