Two Associate Partners

Colourful People - Excellence in Matchmaking

Colourful People, founded in 2000 by Melek Usta, is an executive search and interim management firm that has grown to become one of the leading players in the (semi)public sector. We focus on filling strategic positions (supervisory board members, directors, executives, managers, and professionals), often dealing with governance issues as well.

Inclusive leadership

We are the first agency in the Netherlands with a clear vision of inclusive leadership. We also put this into practice within our own organization (“practice what you preach”). In our view, inclusive leadership is characterized by the ability to connect and leverage differences, both within one’s own organization and with stakeholders in society. Addressing today’s complex challenges requires leaders who build teams in which diverse qualities, perspectives, and expertise complement one another. Leaders who embrace change as a constant factor to keep the organization flexible, agile, and future-proof.

The agency with a broad perspective

We take a broad view of roles and candidates. This means we start with the context of the job opening (the challenges involved) while keeping an eye on how people complement one another. We do this because we are convinced that when different experiences and backgrounds work together, they make an organization stronger—especially given the fast-paced environment organizations face today. We challenge our clients on this front and look beyond the “usual suspects,” although we do keep them in mind and within our network. In the nearly 25 years since our founding, we have built a current, diverse, and high-quality network of candidates who are leaders in their organizations.

Many of our clients choose to work with us because they identify with our approach and because of the high quality of our candidates and our services. We are known as an agency that handles executive search assignments with care, diligence, and attention to detail. Our success rate is nearly 100%. Thanks to our strong reputation, we are also regularly asked to assist with recruitment processes for positions involving ministerial and royal appointments. Yes, we are very proud of that!

Our agency

Together with 12 senior partners, we manage between 200 and 240 search processes each year. The sectors in which we operate include healthcare, education, the arts, culture, public housing, municipalities, provinces, national government agencies, autonomous public institutions, NGOs, and public utilities. One moment you might be working on an assignment to recruit a government commissioner, the next you might be searching for a director for one of the largest housing associations in the Netherlands, or you might be working to recruit the new director for a theater company with an international reputation. The organizations we work with are often quite unique. Our colleagues have previously worked at the strategic level in these sectors themselves; they are familiar with the developments and challenges and have a strong network within them.

Impact on the private sector

Given our vision of inclusive leadership and our extensive network, we are increasingly being asked to make an impact in the business world through our work. We plan to focus more on this in the coming years. One of the positions we will be opening is that of an associate partner who will actively contribute to this effort.

Our Culture

In our work, we are guided by a set of values. We believe in the power of our differences and give each other the space to bring them to the table. We are a network organization and place great value on autonomy rooted in connection. We seek out opportunities and are action-oriented (entrepreneurial). We build on people’s strengths (curious, respectful, appreciative, inspiring). We work with passion and do the things we enjoy, the things that energize us. We are innovative—in our knowledge and our approach. We want to continue to surprise our clients. We perform our work at a high level. In doing so, we strive to continuously develop ourselves and keep learning from one another. We maintain a human touch throughout. Our work sometimes demands a lot from us. That is why we look out for one another, are there for one another, and support one another when needed.

Innovation

We’re also at the forefront of innovation in our industry. That’s an attitude—keeping up with developments and always looking for smarter or better ways to do things—but it also requires decisive action. It means actually putting solutions into practice. We use modern tools that support you in, for example, scheduling appointments with candidates. We have our own AI environment that helps you turn interviews into suitable job descriptions and candidate profiles. We do this so that you can focus primarily on where your added value lies: serving our clients by finding the right candidates who fit the tasks and challenges of their organization.

Due to our growth and ambitions, we are looking for two new colleagues

We are looking for two new colleagues who, as associate partners, want to contribute to the continued growth of our firm. One of the positions focuses on our clients in the (semi)public sector; for the other position, we are seeking a new colleague who will help expand our presence in the private sector.

What are we looking for?

• You identify with our mission and vision and are able to convey them to our clients,
• You have executive-level experience and are familiar with the dynamics at the top of an organization in your industry,
• You are able to guide and support our clients through administrative processes—some of which can be complex—and serve as a strategic sounding board for them,
• You’re good at relationship management and enjoy maintaining and building relationships. You’re also able to further strengthen your position with your clients from a business perspective,
• You can thrive in a flat, network-based organization where you work independently, are self-reliant, and take initiative,
• You have a strong commitment to quality; for you, an assignment is only complete when both your client and your candidates are satisfied.
• Given the importance we place on innovation, we require strong digital skills.
• You must be available at least three days a week for this position.

What do we offer you?

• The freedom to set your own workload and revenue. Depending on your desired workload, you can earn a good and attractive annual income,
• Many of our assignments come from our own network. That’s why relationship management is important. Business development will be a small part of your job.
• You’ll be working alongside a team of passionate colleagues who are deeply committed to both our candidates and our clients and who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Many of them have been with us for years.
• You’ll find a supportive work environment and direct communication channels here, and we help each other out whenever needed.

Job Application Process

For more information about these positions, please contact Melek Usta, director of Colourful People. Melek can be reached at 06-20424347 orvia m.usta@colourfulpeople.nl