Two members of the supervisory board

Merged Organization, Developments, and Challenges

Woondiensten Aarwoude, Woningstichting Nieuwkoop, and WYwonen will merge effective November 1, 2026. This will create a new housing association with a strong local presence in the Green Heart. The organization will remain rooted in the villages and communities where it operates, respecting the unique character of the various communities and maintaining the close relationship that tenants have come to expect from their housing association.

The merger is intended to better address the region’s public housing needs. The new organization aims to provide comfortable and suitable housing for current and future residents. This requires an understanding of housing needs in each village and community, a future-proof real estate portfolio, and an organization that remains visible and trustworthy.

Significant challenges lie ahead in the coming years. The housing association is working on affordable, high-quality housing, sustainability, new construction, and redevelopment. It also aims to contribute to pleasant living environments and vibrant communities. This involves not only housing but also all issues that affect the quality of life in neighborhoods and communities. The new organization aims to collaborate with municipalities, tenant organizations, and social partners in these efforts.

In addition to this societal challenge, the merger requires careful organizational development. Processes, systems, and working methods must be aligned. The challenge is to build greater operational effectiveness without losing the human touch and local presence.

We are looking for two board members

The supervisory board is seeking two new members who, each with their own background, will contribute to the quality and complementarity of the board:

1. Member of the Supervisory Board (Operations and IT)
2. Member of the Supervisory Board (real estate development and maintenance)

For both positions, having a connection to the local or regional community is important. You don’t necessarily have to live in the area where you’ll be working, but you should understand the dynamics of villages and towns, the political and administrative context, and the importance of proximity to residents.

The board values diversity in background, experience, and perspective. Especially in a newly merged organization, it is important that different points of view are brought to the table.

Profile 1: Operations and IT

For this position, we are seeking a board member who can oversee business operations and IT at the strategic level, with a strong understanding of information management and organizational development. The merger presents a significant integration challenge. The goal is to ensure that work processes and systems align effectively and contribute to improved service delivery and reliable management information.

You don’t need to be a technical IT specialist, but you understand what digitization means for an organization undergoing change. You have a good grasp of financial risk management and controls, and you can assess whether decisions regarding IT and business operations lead to better service delivery and manageable risks.

Ideally, you have experience with:

• business operations, control, or information management at the strategic level;
• ICT or digitization;
• organizational development and process design;
• assessing investment and implementation issues;
• connecting systems with the human side of service delivery.

You have an analytical and practical mindset. You recognize where digitization can help, but also where risks arise regarding privacy and information security. You bring clarity to complex issues and always keep the goal in mind: providing good service and a pleasant living environment for tenants.

Profile 2: Real Estate Development and Maintenance

For this position, we are seeking a board member with expertise in real estate development and maintenance. The new housing association faces a clear real estate challenge: its housing stock must effectively meet the housing needs in the villages and towns, with a focus on affordability, quality, and sustainability.

You can evaluate investment proposals at the strategic level. You assess feasibility, risks, financial impact, and the significance for residents. You also have a good sense of the collaboration required to advance real estate projects within a local and administrative context. You can weigh the social benefits of real estate decisions against financial feasibility and risks for the housing association.

Ideally, you have experience with:

• real estate development and maintenance;
• asset management, portfolio strategy, or strategic inventory policy;
• investment decisions and risk management;
• maintenance systems and making existing real estate more sustainable;
• collaboration with municipalities, developers, and other relevant partners;
• procurement, land-use policy, and project management.

You see real estate as more than just an asset. For you, it’s about contributing to comfortable living, quality of life, and future-proof villages and communities. You ask tough questions about planning, quality, and feasibility, without losing sight of the social purpose.

General Profile

For both positions, we are looking for a board member who identifies with the social mission of housing cooperatives. You are independent, have integrity, and are committed to your role. You ask critical questions in a way that promotes careful decision-making and fosters constructive dialogue within the board.

You possess administrative insight and understand the relationship between management and oversight. You can make sense of complex information, weigh different interests, and evaluate decisions based on their impact on residents, the organization, and its continuity. We are looking for candidates who have an affinity for public housing, can think strategically, and collaborate constructively. You have a strong sense of governance and integrity, can switch between local challenges and long-term decisions, and contribute to open and professional teamwork.

Experience as a regulator is valuable, but not required. Candidates with management experience, strong subject-matter expertise, and the ability to quickly adapt to the regulatory role are also strongly encouraged to apply.

What do we offer?

A socially relevant supervisory role in a newly merged organization with a clear mission in public housing. You will contribute to a housing corporation that aims to remain close to its residents and increase its effectiveness.

This position offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on housing and quality of life in the Green Heart, to collaborate with a dedicated board of directors, and to contribute to the organization’s development by drawing on your own expertise.

Compensation is in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The time commitment consists of regular meetings, committee work, preparation, and a few working visits or thematic meetings. In the initial phase following the merger, the time commitment may be somewhat higher.

Interested?

The new merged organization comprising Woondiensten Aarwoude, Woningstichting Nieuwkoop, and WYwonen is being advised by Colourful People in this process.

For more information, please contactHatice Türkmen, a partner at Colourful People, at06 46 08 12 32.

Are you interested? If so, please apply via the application form on the website, including a cover letter and resume. In your letter, please indicate which position you’re interested in and what appeals to you about the social mission of this new housing association.