Two members of the supervisory board

With the expiration of the terms of office of two members, the following vacancies have arisen:

• Effective September 1, 2026: member of the Supervisory Board with a focus on Education and Internationalization, and prospective member of the Education, Research & Internationalization Committee.
• Effective March 1, 2027: member of the supervisory board with a focus on Finance and Operations, and also a prospective member of the audit committee.

About NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences

NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences is a comprehensive university with approximately 24,000 students, multiple campus locations in the northern Netherlands, and a global network of partners. The university combines practice-oriented education and applied research with a clear social mission. It trains professionals for a rapidly changing job market, contributes to social and economic issues through practice-oriented research, and collaborates closely with businesses, government agencies, and social organizations.

A distinctive feature is the Design-Based Education approach, in which students, faculty, and industry partners collaborate on realistic and complex challenges. In the strategic institutional plan ‘Together We Can Push Boundaries,’NHL Stenden is working to further strengthen educational quality and student success, develop practice-oriented research with impact, enhance its international profile, advance digitization and innovation, and contribute to societal transitions such as sustainability and inclusion. This course of action requires a board of trustees that contributes to the university’s social mission from diverse perspectives.

About the Board of Trustees

NHL Stenden operates under a governance model comprising an Executive Board and an independent Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board exercises comprehensive oversight of the functioning of the Executive Board and the organization, and also serves as the Executive Board’s employer and sounding board. The Board also acts as a link between the university of applied sciences and its broader community. In carrying out these roles, the quality of education, research, and innovation, the university’s social mission, and the continuity of the organization are central. Within the Supervisory Board, there are a Remuneration Committee, a Recruitment and Selection Committee, an Audit Committee, and an Education, Research & Internationalization Committee. The Board of Trustees operates independently, critically and constructively, with an eye toward public values, societal developments, and the quality of governance. New members are expected to contribute to an open, reflective, and professional oversight culture based on their own expertise and experience.

Profile 1: Education and Internationalization

For this position, NHL Stenden is seeking a board member with authoritative experience in higher education and a keen understanding of the strategic importance of internationalization. This member will serve on the Education, Research & Internationalization Committee.

Please bring the following:

• In-depth knowledge of and experience with higher education and/or applied research;
• An understanding of issues related to educational quality, educational innovation, and quality assurance;
• Experience with or a clear vision of internationalization strategy, international collaboration, and networking;
• The ability to integrate education, research, the labor market, societal challenges, and international positioning;
• Administrative seniority and the ability to reflect on the university’s direction at a strategic level.

You recognize the dynamics of an institution that is rooted in the region yet seeks to maintain a national and international presence and relevance. You can contribute informed insights into the further development of education and research, as well as the positioning of NHL Stenden within a changing higher education landscape. You have a clear understanding of the significance of internationalization for quality, appeal, and societal impact.

Profile 2: Finance and Operations

For this position, NHL Stenden is seeking a board member with a strong financial and business background within a higher education institution. This member will serve on the audit committee.

Please bring the following:

• In-depth expertise in finance, risk management, and strategic business operations;
• Experience with oversight and/or responsibility in a strategic position;
• An understanding of financial management, investment decisions, continuity issues, risk management, and funding mechanisms within higher education;
• An understanding of the social context of publicly funded organizations;
• The ability to link financial issues to strategic decisions, digital transformation, innovation, and organizational development.

You are capable of engaging in substantive and in-depth dialogue within the audit committee and the board of trustees regarding financial robustness, governance, internal controls, and future-proof business operations. In addition to professional expertise, this role requires strong administrative acumen, sound judgment, and an understanding of the university’s social mission. 

General profile characteristics

For both positions, candidates must:

• Possess strategic and managerial insight and experience with complex organizations;
• Operate independently, with integrity, and with a strong sense of responsibility;
• Possess an academic level of work and thinking;
• Clearly distinguish between main and secondary issues and engage in a critical yet constructive dialogue;
• fit into a collegial board that combines rigor and collaboration;
• Having sufficient time and availability to perform the role thoroughly;
• Complementary to the current composition of the supervisory board.
• Be willing to continue developing governance skills.
• Be fluent in spoken and written English.

For at least one of these positions, we are looking for a member with experience as a supervisor.   

Composition and diversity

When selecting members for the supervisory board, the focus is not only on individual qualifications but also on the strength of the group as a whole. NHL Stenden aims to assemble a board whose members complement one another in terms of expertise, perspective, background, and experience. This recruitment process specifically seeks to further strengthen the board as a whole, both in terms of expertise and diversity.

Candidates who can offer a unique perspective based on their experience, background, or point of view are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Term of appointment, time commitment, and compensation

Members of the Supervisory Board are appointed for a term of four years and may be reappointed once. The time commitment is approximately 150 hours per year. The Supervisory Board meets regularly about six times a year. In addition, there are four committee meetings and several working visits each year. The meetings take place during the day. The compensation for members of the Supervisory Board is €17,475 per year.

Procedure

NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences is being assisted in this process by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more information, please contact Michiel van Kruijsbergen, a partner at Colourful People, at 06-53476733 orm.van.kruijsbergen@colourfulpeople.nl. 

You can upload your cover letter and resume via the application form on the Colourful People website. Please submit your application byApril 26at the latest. Job interviews at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences will take place onFriday, May 22, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM for the Finance and Operations profile, and onTuesday, June 9, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM forthe Education and Internationalization profile. An interview with the full Board of Trustees is scheduled for the afternoon ofWednesday, June 24.