Program Director, Leadership and Organizational Development

About PCOU Willibrord

PCOU Willibrordis committed to engagement and collaboration, with a focus on creating the best opportunities for growth for every student. We operate in 26 elementary schools, 4 specialized schools, and 14 secondary schools in Utrecht and the surrounding area. Although each school has its own unique character, they share a common vision:

We encourage our students to further develop their social skills and self-awareness through collaboration with others, and to be curious about their own potential and that of others. Our goal is for them to face their future with a strong foundation of knowledge, modern skills, curiosity, and confidence, and to contribute to a society where everyone matters and participates. Based on its Christian foundation, PCOU Willibrord is committed to serving all children and young people. Together, we are dedicated to education that helps students and staff grow. We are committed to equal opportunity, inclusion, and diversity. And to regional collaboration that strengthens education.

Unique organizational philosophy

This collaboration is based on reciprocity, collective commitment, and shared responsibility. By fostering collaboration through equal partnerships among school leaders, the Board of Governors, and Education & Organizational Development managers—each with clear and well-defined responsibilities and tasks—we create a “bottom-up” approach to leadership and policy that is both equitable and widely supported at all levels. PCOU Willibrord therefore opts for a flat organizational structure with as few management layers as possible.

Within the organization, there is a need to further develop and refine the organizational philosophy, which requires extra attention to culture, structure, leadership, and organizational development. We have therefore decided to appoint a temporary program director, who will work under an administrative mandate from the Executive Board to be further defined. Formal administrative responsibility—and thus ultimate responsibility for the program director’s work—lies with the Executive Board. The program director will be appointed for a term of two years. After one and a half years, it will be assessed whether an extension is desired and, if so, for what term.

Who are we looking for?

Above all, we are looking for candidates who identify with PCOU Willibrord’s core values: Courage, Connection, Development-Oriented, and Responsibility. You are a servant leader with solid knowledge and experience in change management and cultural transformation. You are attuned to social developments, including equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion, and you understand the role that PCOU Willibrord plays in society.

Required skills:

• Leadership and management skills:Effectively leading a diverse group of managers and employees, coordinating processes, and implementing structures to achieve objectives related to shared leadership and bottom-up collaboration.
• Innovation and change management: Initiating and facilitating cultural change and implementing concrete organizational structures, developing and executing innovative interventions, and coordinating multidisciplinary projects within an organization undergoing transition.
• Strategic thinking: the ability to set a long-term course and develop strategic policies based on organizational developments.
• Connecting & culturally sensitive: Building relationships, fostering collaboration, and bringing together people from various schools and sectors. Extensive experience with diversity and inclusion is more than just a plus.
• Internal communication and networking: Maintain and develop effective communication with internal stakeholders and strategic partners.
• Talent-based coaching: Looking beyond individual problems to guide and support school leaders and HR managers in discovering and leveraging their sense of ownership and collective leadership.

You will also have access to:

• An affinity for and passion about education is a must; experience in education is a plus;
• Organizational sensitivity;
• Guts and entrepreneurship.

What will you be doing?

As program director, the goal is to translate the organizational philosophy’s established direction into concrete steps throughout the entire organization. To this end, the following measures have been initiated and agreed upon:

• The program director collaborates with existing working groups tasked with implementing the organizational philosophy. In doing so, the program director participates and provides encouragement, contributes knowledge and experience, and ensures the ongoing development of processes and products, as well as maintaining communication with the Executive Board.
• The further development and positioning of the Academy.
• Further development and implementation of the organizational philosophy, and its broader application throughout the organization by translating it into working in networks and triangles based on the vision, mission, and core values.
• Further strengthen and support the working group responsible for the ongoing development and refinement of the unit structure within primary education.
• Further clarify and strengthen the objectives and working methods of the various consultation and (network) groups within PCOU Willibrord, as well as the connections between them.
• Achieve greater synergy between primary, secondary, and higher education, both in terms of operations and substantive collaboration.

In short, in collaboration with school leaders and HR managers, you will contribute to the organizational development of PCOU Willibrord and create an environment where employees are given the opportunity to grow, develop a sense of ownership, and experience a sense of collective responsibility.

What do we offer?

With its combination of elementary, secondary, and special education programs, PCOU Willibrord is a wonderful organization to work for. Here, you’ll find dedicated colleagues who are passionate about education. Compensation is in accordance with Scale 15 of the CAO VO collective bargaining agreement. The appointment is generally for two years. After 18 months, we will assess whether an extension is desired and, if so, for what term.

Interested?

PCOU Willibrord is being assisted in this process by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more information about the position, please contact Naima Azough, a partner at Colourful People. Naima Azough can be reached at 06-4344 9717 or via n.azough@colourfulpeople.nl. You can express your interest by uploading your cover letter and resume (in PDF format) no later thanFriday, November 22, 2024, using the “Apply” button on the website.

Schedule:

• Please submit your application byFriday, November 22, 2024, via the Colourful People website.
• The first round of talks is scheduled forDecember 16, 2024
• The second round of talks is scheduled forDecember 20, 2024

A background check is part of the process. An additional assessment may be part of the process.

At PCOU Willibrord, we embrace the power of diversity and strive to create an inclusive culture where everyone feels at home. We believe that our differences make us stronger and contribute to a better education for our students.