Program Manager / Team Leader, Expert Support
We win together—will you help build on TeamNL’s continued success?
To consistently perform at the global level in elite sports, a strong foundation behind the scenes is essential. At TeamNL, we work with elite athletes, coaches, and experts to create the best possible conditions for achieving those results. To shape this vision in a dynamic and forward-looking way, we are seeking a Program Manager / Team Leader for the Expert Support team.
Someone who provides both strategic and organizational leadership to our team of experts. Someone who also maintains an overview of key programs and innovation initiatives within the 2032 Elite Sports Strategy. And importantly: you are (or have been) part of an elite sports support team yourself. So you know from experience how top-level performance is achieved through an interdisciplinary support approach.
About the team
The Expert Support team is part of the Elite Sports Department at NOC_NSF. Here, approximately 65 professionals, divided into six teams, work toward a single shared goal: to consistently rank among the top ten elite sports nations in the world. Together with sports federations, TeamNL Centers, and performance managers, we are implementing the Elite Sports Strategy 2032. In this context, the Expert Support team, together with the Performance Management team, plays a key role in supporting the elite sports programs.
Your role
As Program Manager and Team Leader of Expert Support, you will have overall responsibility for managing, uniting, and further developing the team and the programs. You will combine people management with programmatic leadership and strategic innovation.
Your main responsibilities:
You will lead a team of lead experts, project managers, and staff in areas of expertise such as medicine, performance and mental health, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and sports science.
You will oversee, directly or indirectly, the deployment of experts who are part of the support teams for elite sports and training programs.
You will build and maintain a strong team of experts, including clear contract terms, professional development, and career advancement opportunities.
You foster a high-performance culture that values innovation, trust, and a results-oriented approach.
You will coordinate multiple programs within the 2032 Elite Sports Strategy, particularly in the areas of expertise development, knowledge sharing, and interdisciplinary coaching.
You will lead the development of the TeamNL Sports Science Centre in Papendal—a major innovation for the coming years.
You are responsible for the implementation and further development of the digital athlete management system (TeamWorks) used within TeamNL.
You will be responsible for the budget, planning, and accountability of the team and its associated program lines.
You will actively participate in the High Performance Team meetings, alongside performance managers, lead experts, and the Director of Elite Sports.
You maintain a strong national and international network, including sports federations, Sportinnovator, medical and educational institutions, government agencies, and private partners.
You identify new developments (such as AI and data innovations) and translate them into practical applications for elite sports.
Who are you?
We are looking for a strong leader with vision, a broad perspective, and experience in the field of elite sports coaching. You are (or have been) part of an elite sports coaching team, so you know exactly what it takes to provide athletes with optimal support on their journey to the top.
You should also bring:
At least five years of work experience in the elite sports sector.
Proven experience in managing professionals and/or experts.
Experience working on multi-year plans and program management.
A strong ability to connect people with their fields of expertise.
Decisiveness, even under pressure.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
A keen eye for innovation and talent development.
What we offer you
A key role at the heart of Dutch elite sports.
The opportunity to make a positive impact on elite sports in the Netherlands.
Collaboration with passionate and knowledgeable colleagues and experts.
Flexible work options based in Papendal, including a hybrid work model.
Terms of employment in accordance with the Sports Collective Bargaining Agreement, Scale 13, with pay determined based on experience.
Information
For questions about the job itself, please email André Cats at andre.cats@nocnsf.nl. For questions about the application process, please contact HR at jobs@nocnsf.nl. An assignment may be part of the application process.
Interested?
Please submit your application byMay 11at the latest usingthe button below, addressed to André Cats, Director of Elite Sports at NOC_NSF.
The interviews are scheduled for May 19. Please keep this in mind.
