Two Members of the Supervisory Board (Audit Committee)

Due to the expiration of terms of office, we are seeking two dedicated, knowledgeable members for the Supervisory Board’s Audit Committee:

• A member with a legal background
• A member with a financial background
• In addition, we are looking for a member who has knowledge of or experience in the field of design

About the Nieuwe Instituut

The Nieuwe Instituutand the'Huis Sonneveld'museum house together formthe national museum and institute for architecture, design, and digital culture. This public institution manages theNational Collection of Dutch Architecture and Urban Planning, one of the largest architecture collections in the world; it stimulates research and curates exhibitions, organizes debates and discussions, and supports, advises on, and implements projects both domestically and abroad. Nieuwe Instituut focuses on major societal developments, such as the housing shortage, climate change, the rise of artificial intelligence, and urban planning. Designers, including architects and digital creators, make a significant contribution to these developments. Nieuwe Instituut showcases the work of designers, connects people, collects, develops, and shares knowledge. In this way, the institute demonstrates how powerful new (design) ideas can be. The goal is to envision, experiment with, and put into practice a better future by collectively reflecting on ideas from the past, present, and future. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions, contribute their ideas, and make their own contributions.

The Nieuwe Instituut employs 115 permanent staff members and a varying number of flexible staff. Its annual budget is approximately 13 million euros. The two-member Executive Board consists of the General & Artistic Director and the Business Director, and reports to the Supervisory Board. Keywords that characterize the Nieuwe Instituut are:diverse, social, sustainable, experimental, Rotterdam/national/international, (self-)critical, fun, welcoming, outspoken, accessible, a learning organization, connection.

Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board is responsible for overseeing the policies of the two-member Executive Board and the general affairs of the Nieuwe Instituut. The Supervisory Board also acts as the employer of the Executive Board. In addition, the Supervisory Board serves as a sounding board and supports the Executive Board as a substantive advisor and independent discussion partner. In fulfilling its duties, the Supervisory Board focuses on the interests of the foundation and all persons and stakeholders involved with the foundation. In carrying out its supervisory duties, the Supervisory Board takes into account applicable laws and regulations, the provisions of the articles of incorporation, the Cultural Governance Code, and the Cultural Diversity Code.

The Board of Trustees of the Nieuwe Instituut consists of a minimum of three and a maximum of five members (including the chair). Members are appointed for a term of four years, with the possibility of renewal for an additional four years.

Independence and atmosphere

To ensure it can function independently and objectively, the Supervisory Board is composed in such a way that its members can act as effective supervisors and advisors, free from influence by one another, the Executive Board, or any special interests. Upon appointment, the Supervisory Board will ensure that there are no conflicts of interest or overlapping interests. The members of the Supervisory Board do not perform any paid or unpaid assignments for the Nieuwe Instituut. The members have a broad perspective and are attentive to social developments, and the atmosphere among themselves and with the Executive Board is collegial, pleasant, engaged, respectful, open, and professional.

Diversity

When selecting new members for the Supervisory Board, the Board strives for a balanced mix of diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise, taking into account factors such as age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and sociocultural background. This promotes effective and inclusive oversight that reflects both the organization and society and strengthens the quality of oversight, without compromising individual suitability.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee advises the Supervisory Board on decisions regarding financial matters and financial reporting. To this end, the members of the Audit Committee are authorized to review all financial and other documents necessary for the performance of this task. In preparation for this, the Audit Committee meets with the Executive Director four times a year to discuss the draft budget, draft financial statements, and interim financial reports. In addition, the members of the Audit Committee provide the Executive Board with both solicited and unsolicited advice regarding financial strategy and risk management.

Who are we looking for?

Each member of our Board of Trustees possesses the following qualities:

All members share a strong affinity for architecture, design, and digital culture, and have a broad interest in social issues. They are strategically strong, constructively critical, and proactive in contributing ideas, and are open to different opinions and ideas. They provide oversight with a focus on big-picture thinking and collaboration, are committed to their roles, and maintain a healthy balance between engagement and administrative detachment. They value diversity of opinion, have an eye for entrepreneurship and development, and have sufficient time to perform this role effectively.

The following applies to the member responsible for finance and operations:

• You have extensive management experience in a financial role, such as CFO or business director; experience in real estate is a plus;
• You have knowledge of strategic financial planning and the organization of administrative systems, and can oversee the preparation of financial statements, multi-year budgets, and financial reports—or, in other words, oversee internal risk management and control systems;
• You are able to “look beyond the numbers,” or interpret the data to understand the day-to-day operations of the museum;
• You are able to serve as a valuable sounding board for the managing director;
• You are willing to serve as chair of the audit committee;
• Supervisory experience and residency in Rotterdam are preferred.

The following applies to the member responsible for legal and governance matters:

• You have a broad legal background with experience in strategic policy;
• You have an eye for governance, knowledge of and insight into the legal implications of decisions, and the ability to analyze and interpret legal information from multiple perspectives;
• You are able to apply this knowledge in a museum setting and may be familiar with legislation in the museum sector, the GDPR, and relevant codes;
• You are willing to serve on the audit committee;
• Supervisory experience and residency in Rotterdam are preferred.

Design Profile

In addition, we are looking for a candidate with experience in the design sector for one of the two positions. We are seeking candidates who:

• Currently work (or have worked) as a designer, or have experience in a leadership role within the field of design;
• Have a strong understanding of and vision for the role of design in society and be able to give it meaning in a supervisory capacity;
• Have a network within the design field and be familiar with national and international developments in the sector.

Time commitment and compensation

The Supervisory Board meets an average of six times a year in Rotterdam. The Audit Committee also meets an average of four times a year. The remuneration for members of the Supervisory Board, in the form of attendance fees, is in accordance with current standards and amounts to €6,956 per year.

Interested?

In this process, the Nieuwe Instituut is being assisted by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more information about the Board of Trustees, these positions, or the application process, please contact Naima Azough, a partner at Colourful People, at (06-43449717) or n.azough@colourfulpeople.nl. You can express your interest byuploadingyour cover letter and resume (in PDF format)no later than Sunday, June 1, 2025, via the orange“Apply”button on the left side of this page.

Schedule:

• Please submit your application for this positionby Sunday, June 1, 2025, viathe Colourful People website. Please note: the application period may close earlier if we find strong candidates soon, so please don’t wait too long to apply.
• Online preliminary interviews with Colourful People will take place on Monday, June 2, Tuesday, June 3, and Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
• The in-person interview session with the Board of Trustees of the Nieuwe Instituut for both positions will take place at the Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdamon Thursday, June 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

We kindly ask interested candidates to tentatively set aside Thursday, June 26.