Strategic Advisor (Project Lead) for Arts and Culture

The position

The Amsterdam Department of Economic Affairs & Culture operates in a task-oriented manner. This means responding in an agile, transparent, and cyclical way to societal issues—in this case, those affecting Amsterdam’s cultural institutions, initiatives, and creators. In the role of Strategic Advisor (Task Leader) for Arts and Culture, you will coordinate, develop, and initiate initiatives; provide strategic advice to the administration in the field of arts and culture; and oversee the implementation of the task agenda for one of the six task teams within the Economic Affairs and Culture Department. Functionally (in terms of content), you will lead the Arts and Culture task force, monitor the progress of the core strategic processes (political-administrative, financial, and implementation), and provide strategic advice to the board and the EZC Management Team. You will liaise directly with the Management Team member responsible for Arts and Culture. As the Arts and Culture task leader, you will also collaborate extensively with the other task leaders within our department. For this position, we are seeking someone whose expertise, experience, and professional network align well with the department’s Arts and Culture agenda.

Here's what you do on an average day

• You start the day by reviewing the strategic agenda for the coming quarter with the Executive Management member responsible for Arts and Culture; you note down the key issues and developments related to the implementation of the various policy agendas.
• You will meet with the coordinator of the Arts and Culture Spaces team to discuss the progress of the construction of new cultural facilities in the city.
• You will discuss a draft council resolution with the Nightlife Team regarding the creation of new venues for nightlife in Southeast Amsterdam, so that it can then be added to the alderman’s agenda.
• Together with the Management Team member for Arts and Culture, you will hold strategic consultations with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the G4 on the framework for a new national arts planning system to be implemented starting in 2029.
• You will discuss the preparations for the alderman with the financial advisors and the resources and control advisor in order to support the executive board’s decision-making regarding the upcoming Spring Memorandum.
• Please provide feedback on a draft credit decision regarding the construction of a new theater in Noord to the responsible colleague on the Arts and Culture Planning Team, so that it can then be added to the agenda of the Arts and Culture Staff Committee.

This is where you get started

We strive to be a great employer that ensures all our colleagues feel seen and valued. We embrace the differences among our colleagues; these differences lead to better results for both our organization and our city. We aim to build a workforce that reflects Amsterdam’s diverse population. So, whoever you are, you’re more than welcome here!

In Amsterdam, the Arts and Culture Department oversees municipal arts and culture policy (Arts Plan) and policy related to creative hubs, cultural education, investments in and the development of new cultural facilities, art in public spaces, local media, nightlife, and libraries (in collaboration with the Education Department). The team is also responsible for policy development and for steering and coordinating policy processes and projects. They implement the priorities of the city administration. In doing so, the team interacts with various departments and directorates within the municipality and, externally, with the Amsterdam arts and culture sector, the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, the Amsterdam Arts Council, the city districts, public and private cultural funds, and other government agencies (such as the G4 and the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science).

What you bring

For this position as Strategic Advisor (Project Lead) for Arts and Culture, you must have:

• At least seven years of work experience in a complex and politically sensitive environment, demonstrating your ability to achieve social goals and act strategically in this regard. You will bring your vision and knowledge of the challenges facing the arts and culture sector in Amsterdam to this role;
• At least seven years of work experience dealing with political, administrative, civil service, and social relationships and processes;
• Knowledge and experience with (the development of) grant programs;
• Experience working with (government) budgets and planning and control systems.

You should have the following skills:

• Results-oriented approach: Using specific goals as a starting point for one’s own behavior and sticking to them until the goal is achieved;
• Persuasiveness: Uses personal influence to shape people and situations, with a focus on gaining acceptance and overcoming resistance. Communicates ideas clearly and confidently;
• Political sensitivity: Being able to navigate the political landscape; recognizing the complex interests that stakeholders face; being able to assess the political feasibility of proposals;
• Stress resilience: The ability to work under pressure and make decisions under pressure. Able to remain calm, set priorities, and guide the task force accordingly.

What we offer you

As a Strategic Advisor (Project Lead) for Arts and Culture, you will join our team for 32–36 hours per week and can expect the following terms of employment.

• A gross monthly salary ranging from €5,309 to €6,993 (pay grade 13) based on a 36-hour workweek. The exact salary will be determined based on your education, knowledge, and experience.
• A one-year employment contract, with the possibility of a permanent contract thereafter, if you do not currently have an employment contract with the City of Amsterdam, or if you have only a temporary one.
• If you already have a permanent employment contract with the City of Amsterdam, you will retain it and be transferred.
• Opportunities for professional development and training. Our in-house training center, the Amsterdam School, offers a variety of training programs, professional development tracks, and on-the-job coaching to help you continue to challenge yourself.
• An individual flexible budget (IKB) equal to 17.05% of your salary, which you can use for things like additional pension contributions or extra days off.
• A pension plan with ABP, the pension fund for the public sector and education.
• A travel allowance of €0.10 per kilometer, up to a 45-kilometer one-way commute, for the number of days you work in the office, and/or a work-from-home allowance of €3 net per workday that you work from home.
• A monthly contribution toward health insurance.
• Hybrid work: In this role, you can work partly from home and partly in the office. We provide the necessary equipment to help you set up a safe and healthy workspace at home.
• A cell phone and a laptop.

Want to know more about our employment terms and conditions? Check out the City of Amsterdam Personnel Regulations (PGA).

Apply for this job

• If this job opening interests you, please submit your application by December 17, 2023, using the “Apply Now” button.
• We would like to receive your cover letter, in which you explain, in no more than one A4 page, why your work experience and skills are a good fit for this position. We also ask that you discuss your vision and knowledge of the challenges facing the arts and culture sector in Amsterdam. Your cover letter will be taken into consideration during the selection process.
• The selection process consists of a CV/cover letter review and an interview round, with a maximum of two interview rounds. The selection committee will include the Director of Economic Affairs and Culture, the Management Team member responsible for Art and Culture (your direct supervisor), an HR advisor, and a direct colleague with whom you will be working.
• If your resume meets the job requirements, we would be happy to invite you for an interview.
• The interviews will take place at our office located at Amstel 1 in Amsterdam.
• We require a recent Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) from every colleague who joins our team.