Social Services Manager

Wageningen – A global city in pocket size

In Wageningen, people come first. Here, we don’t just talk about engagement and compassion—we put them into practice. Wageningen leads the way when it comes to innovative approaches and fresh ideas to improve life for all its residents. Whether it involves innovative healthcare solutions, groundbreaking social projects, or new ways to actively engage residents, the municipality dares to experiment, collaborate, and innovate. With courage, compassion, and determination, Wageningen works every day to build an inclusive society where everyone can participate.

Wageningen is also a city with deep roots in agriculture, science, and sustainability. In addition to its vibrant social scene, Wageningen has a unique identity that sets it apart as a hub of knowledge and innovation. A defining feature of Wageningen is Wageningen University & Research (WUR), known for its research into sustainable agricultural practices and food security. Research institutes in the city play a crucial role in developing technologies and policies to reduce environmental impact and conserve natural resources. So something truly special is happening in Wageningen. An authentic city, a city where we are celebrating 80 years of freedom this year, and home to a world-class university that is fully engaged in addressing societal transition challenges.

The city is characterized by a vibrant and diverse community. The presence of the university attracts people from all over the world, contributing to a dynamic and international atmosphere. Wageningen is home to people from more than 160 countries. This cultural diversity fosters innovation and collaboration across different disciplines and cultures. In short, Wageningen is more than just a city; it is a breeding ground for ideas and solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The governance culture in Wageningen is uniquely constructive (think of public negotiations following municipal elections); it is a city that punches above its weight, and this is only possible because so many committed and enthusiastic people work here with heart and passion for people and nature. The Wageningen 2045 Vision and the coalition agreement “Working Together” provide direction for the ambitions and plans for the coming years. Promoting innovation and sustainability in collaboration with the university, businesses, and residents plays a key role in these plans. Take Welsaam, for example: a network of 23 (!) social organizations in Wageningen that provides a strong social safety net. Together with Welsaam, the municipality of Wageningen strives for an inclusive city where everyone belongs, can participate, and feels valued. The beautiful green surroundings, between the Veluwe and the Betuwe, along the Lower Rhine River, provide a unique backdrop for this.

Working for the municipality of Wageningen is challenging for both the administration and the civil service, which is deeply committed to the broad and ambitious administrative agenda. This requires adaptability, flexibility, and a new way of working on the part of the municipal organization. Daring to make choices, thinking and acting from the outside in, and fostering more interaction and delegation to the city are defining characteristics of the municipal organization—the kind it aspires to be and is working toward.

The organization

Just as the city focuses on its residents, the organization focuses on its employees. The two go hand in hand. The organization is made up of six departments, each with specific tasks and responsibilities. These departments are led by the Management Team (MT), which consists of the municipal secretary and the managers.

The City of Wageningen is striving to become a “Healthy Organization,” with a focus on vitality, learning and development, and diversity and inclusion. We are working to foster a culture that places trust in our employees’ professional dedication. Employees are given considerable freedom to apply their expertise to serve the residents, so that everyone in the city can participate and feel at home here.

In addition, there is a strong focus on task-oriented work, with the organization concentrating on four key societal challenges:

• Living Together with an Eye to the Future
• Impact Economy
• Climate-neutral & Green City
• Dealing with limited space

This requires collaboration within the organization and with external partners.

The municipality of Wageningen also places great value on diversity, inclusion, and equality. We are actively working to foster an organizational culture in which everyone feels welcome and can make the most of their talents. Finally, the municipality is committed to digitalization and data-driven work, with the goal of improving services and collaborating more effectively with residents and partners. The Digital Organization program plays a key role in this effort by developing data-driven policies and implementation strategies.

For more information about the municipality of Wageningen, see also www.wageningen.nl or watch the video on YouTube.

Job Description

As part of the Management Team, the manager is responsible for the operations of the department, which consists of approximately 70 employees. You will carry out this role in collaboration with the three team leaders (two of whom are currently interim hires). You will directly supervise the team leaders and colleagues responsible for quality and processes. In addition, our colleagues from the Social Work Program/New Sheltered Employment also fall under your responsibility. You foster a climate that encourages integrated thinking and working. You will also help the team leaders further shape this environment within their own teams. You are seen as the visible link between the administration and the civil service and the key connector in the administrative-civil service collaboration. Translating administrative ambitions into programs, projects, and assignments is an important responsibility in this regard, as is prioritizing them and involving employees in the process.

You share responsibility for the organization’s strategic direction in the social sector. In your role, you will work with the management team (MT)—which brings together all managers—to further develop the agreed-upon future-proof direction. We expect you to guide us in the continued professionalization of this direction. A key focus for you will be further shaping a strong implementing organization within the social domain that continues to ensure a high level of quality in both internal and external services in the future. We do this for our residents, and your team wants to help, support, and instill confidence in people. Together with your team leaders, you will ensure that Wageningen’s interpretation of political and legal frameworks is reflected in our interactions with residents so that everyone feels supported.

As an advisor, you will provide guidance and support to the Municipal Executive within a strategic framework and legal context. In doing so, you will not hesitate to offer independent advice, contribute ideas, and stand your ground when interests conflict. You are creative, approachable, and persuasive; you remain vigilant regarding role clarity, positions, and responsibilities during implementation, and step in when necessary.

Assignment

The Social Services Manager has ample opportunity to influence how the municipality of Wageningen organizes and professionalizes itself for the future. You encourage ownership and accountability. As a leader, you focus on agility and resilience so that the organization can adapt in times of significant challenges. To achieve this, you continue to build a professional work environment where trust, ownership, and clear responsibilities are key principles. You also believe it’s important to enjoy working together and take pride in the results we achieve as a team!

What will you be doing? 

Together with the Management Team, you will work with visible drive and a results-oriented approach to carry out tasks, professionalize and strengthen the organization, and provide insight into long-term developments and their impact on service delivery within the social sector. You are a trustworthy and communicative leader with an open mind who, within established frameworks, gives professionals ample room to grow and recognizes and leverages their talents. When necessary, you will also take the lead yourself. You are straightforward and speak plainly when the situation calls for it, and you take corrective action when decision-making stalls. You are able to both give and receive: you contribute your input, but you also value when others do the same. The collective result and celebrating successes together are your top priorities.

You are authentic, transparent, and open to feedback (and you give it too!). You have guts, dare to break new ground, and know how to involve the right people in the process. You also have a good sense of pace and timing: knowing when to shift gears, slow down, or speed up. This also means you’re quick to spot underlying currents and address them openly with a directness that fits the municipality of Wageningen.

Our Social Services Manager is a strong leader and connector within and for the implementation of social services. You maintain an appropriate distance from day-to-day operations—after all, that’s what your team leaders are there for. You serve as a decisive link between policy and implementation, and you use your decisiveness to guide your team in a professional learning environment.

You collaborate particularly well, professionally, and effectively with the managers of the Policy & Projects (content) and Operations (management and processes) departments—whether in your role on the Management Team or as a (shared) project sponsor. For example, a project assignment focused on process optimization was recently launched. And together with the team leaders, you determine Wageningen’s participation and involvement in regional consultations.

Profile

With the following knowledge and skills, you’ll make a difference in this role:

• Knowledge of and insight into current issues in the social sector.
• An expert in public administration.
• University-level work and thinking skills.
• Demonstrable experience in a (strategic) leadership role and knowledge of current issues and developments in the social sector.
• You have the ability to translate complex administrative tasks into actionable plans.
• You have a coaching management style, lend a listening ear when needed, and contribute to the continuous improvement of our work processes.
• As a leader, I focus primarily on establishing clear frameworks, guiding processes, and fostering a sense of ownership by instilling trust.

Offer

You will be working in an ambitious organization with a supportive work environment, plenty of challenges, and opportunities for personal growth. We offer:

• a gross monthly salary of up to €7,417 (pay grade 13) based on a 36-hour workweek;
• In addition to your salary, you’ll receive a personal budget (IKB) of over 17.05% of your gross monthly salary. You can choose to have this paid out or use it to purchase additional time off, for example;
• a permanent contract for 36 hours a week, if we wish to continue our successful collaboration after one year.

The City of Wageningen offers equal opportunities to everyone and strives to have a workforce that reflects the diversity of society. Together, we create an environment where everyone can express their true selves and showcase their talents.

Procedure

Rieken & Oomen is handling this recruitment process. Does this job description sound like you? Please send us your application, including your resume and cover letter, as soon as possible, but no later than May 19, 2025 via the application form on the website.

Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask! Please contact Marcella Rijkschroeff at 043 321 9607. Interested candidates are asked to take note of the final schedule listed below. The application process is open to both internal and external candidates simultaneously.

Final schedule:

• Wednesday, June 11, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: First round of interviews with the selection and advisory committee in Wageningen. If you advance to the second round of interviews, you will receive a link to complete the DISC assessment as soon as possible.
• Monday, June 16, between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.: Review of the DISC report, a 30-minute session via Teams with Marcella Rijkschroeff.
• Wednesday, June 18, between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.: Second round of in-depth discussions with the selection and advisory committee in Wageningen.
• Thursday, June 19: alternate date.