Social Services Manager

Who are we?

Venzo&Swazoom Welzijn is a comprehensive social services organization that operates in Amsterdam Zuidoost and the surrounding area on behalf of the City of Amsterdam. Our mission is to help every resident of Amsterdam Zuidoost participate fully in society. We do this by offering residents activities, opportunities for personal development, and a sense of purpose, providing support where needed and strengthening social ties within the neighborhood. 

At Venzo&Swazoom Welzijn, we are committed to harnessing the power of communities. Our community teams consist of professionals dedicated to areas such as playgroups, child and youth services, community development, adult services, volunteer work, family well-being, and informal care support. We achieve this with a diverse team of more than 50 passionate employees. Our social workers act as catalysts for communities, providing support where needed. Within the organization, they are supported by a broad staff, enabling them to perform at their best.

Venzo&Swazoom Welzijn strives to foster an organizational culture characterized by an accessible structure and supportive leadership. We place a high value on autonomy and professionalism. 

What do we do? 

• Guided by our core values of social sustainability, commitment, and expertise, we collaborate with residents, neighborhood organizations, and other partners. Together, we are dedicated to identifying, strengthening, and connecting residents and their initiatives. We always start with the needs of the group involved and ensure they retain control over their own initiatives. Because we know the area well and maintain a large network, we can offer the right assistance through direct communication channels. We provide information, advice, and support to residents who want to get involved in their neighborhood or help their neighbors.
• We encourage residents to get involved in the community and make it easy for them to volunteer by matching supply with demand and providing guidance.
• We help children and young people at every stage of their development so they can reach their full potential in a safe environment.
• We help residents, organizations, and initiatives that need support get back on track. This way, everyone can participate and continue to contribute to our society.
• We manage and facilitate spaces where residents and organizations can hold their activities. Examples include youth centers and community centers.

What will you be doing?

As Social Manager at Venzo&Swazoom Welzijn, you will play a key role in promoting social impact and the well-being of residents in Amsterdam Zuidoost and the surrounding area. You will have final responsibility for various policy areas and organizational units and will be closely involved in the development of strategic policy. You translate this policy into clear organizational objectives and budgets, keeping a keen eye on opportunities in the market. It is your task to translate these opportunities into possibilities that further strengthen Venzo&Swazoom Welzijn’s market position, while ensuring that our services align with market developments and requirements in both the short and long term, with a constant focus on quality.

In addition to your strategic responsibilities, you will also closely monitor financial targets and proactively make adjustments as needed. You will lead a team of three team leaders and several staff members who perform cross-functional work, supporting them in achieving desired results and prioritizing tasks. In doing so, you will empower the team leaders and guide them—both individually and as a team—in further developing their professionalism and self-management skills.

The corporate culture at Venzo&Swazoom Welzijn is one of collaboration, commitment, and dedication to social sustainability. As Social Manager, it is essential that you embrace these values and integrate them into your leadership style. Furthermore, you are open to innovation and change. We are currently in a period of innovative initiatives, and as Social Manager, you are not only a leader but also a pioneer who embraces change and drives innovative transformations.

Effective communication and collaboration with external stakeholders, such as local governments, partners, community organizations, and residents, are crucial. You understand the importance of strong relationships and know how to build and maintain them. You strive for measurable results that align with the mission and vision of Venzo&Swazoom Welzijn. 

Diversity and inclusion are recognized and valued at Venzo&Swazoom Welzijn. As a manager, you actively contribute to an inclusive work environment and integrate diversity into policy-making and practice. The commitment to social sustainability goes hand in hand with the pursuit of overall sustainability. As a Social Manager, you are involved in sustainability initiatives and contribute to decision-making aimed at long-term positive impact.

In this role, you will report directly to the CEO and be part of the management team.

What are we looking for in a candidate?

We are looking for a motivated candidate who has at least a relevant associate’s degree and relevant, verifiable work experience. In addition, the ideal candidate will have:

• In-depth knowledge of and strong commitment to the social sector in the broadest sense, with expertise in areas such as youth work, poverty prevention, and community development.
• Proven leadership skills and experience in change management; the ability to initiate and consolidate change is a strong asset.
• Excellent social skills; you’re a natural connector.
• A proactive and entrepreneurial mindset, allowing you to respond quickly to market developments.
• Excellent analytical skills and financial expertise.
• A valid Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG).

What do we offer?

• An independent role where you’ll have a lot of responsibility and the opportunity to further develop your talents.
• Working with a team of passionate and dedicated colleagues, where hard work, delivering quality, and innovation go hand in hand.
• A one-year contract with the intention of extending it indefinitely.
• A salary based on pay scale 12 of the Social Work Collective Bargaining Agreement, ranging from €4,349 to €6,750 gross per month for full-time employment (36-hour workweek).
• An Individual Choice Budget equal to 18.3% of the salary.
• A variety of employee and training programs, including a career budget to support your professional development.

Interested? 

Please send us your cover letter and resume by February 15 to Kenny Zschüschen at s.vogtschmidt@swazoom.nl. If you would like to learn more about the position first, please contact Sabine Vogtschmidt at 06 - 53 56 03 34.

This position is being advertised both internally and externally; in the event of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given priority. Recruiting agencies are not to be contacted.