Chair of the Board of Directors

What does MBO Utrecht do?

MBO Utrecht is a small, dynamic educational institution that offers effective education with a strong focus on innovation and collaboration. It makes a significant contribution to the development of its students’ talents and future prospects, helping them become self-assured professionals. There is a strong emphasis on the development of talent, work skills, entrepreneurial behavior, social engagement, mutual respect, and citizenship. These priorities are anchored in the mission and vision, and in the core values of Personal, Connected, and Responsible. The key priorities guide the movement that has already been set in motion: Personal Learning, Developing Together, and Making a Difference.

MBO Utrecht offers approximately 50 different programs across four levels of vocational education in a wide range of fields. All vocational programs prepare students for the workforce, further education, and making a meaningful contribution to society. Spread across three locations in Utrecht and one location in Hilversum, nearly 5,000 students are enrolled at MBO Utrecht. With its portfolio of programs, MBO Utrecht fulfills an important socioeconomic and social role in the Utrecht region.

Management and Oversight

MBO Utrecht operates under a flat organizational model with a collegial board and teaching teams accountable for results. Instruction is organized on a small scale across eleven academies. The academies are grouped into three educational clusters and are supported by seven departments. The cluster directors of the academies are educational leaders and manage team leaders. In addition, they oversee a number of MBO Utrecht-wide themes in their role as portfolio holders. Education plays a leading role in determining the policy agenda.

The Executive Board is responsible for the day-to-day management of MBO Utrecht. The Supervisory Board consists of five members and oversees the Executive Board’s policies and the general affairs of MBO Utrecht. In addition to the Supervisory Board, there is also an Advisory Board, and the institution actively collaborates with the Employee and Student Councils in matters of employee participation.

MBO Utrecht’s management philosophy is centered on collaboration, transparency, and a results-oriented approach. The organization operates with a flat structure in which trust, autonomy, and responsibility are central. We strive for continuous improvement and innovation, and value input from all stakeholders. The focus is on creating a safe, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment that contributes to the growth of both students and staff. As Chair of the Executive Board, you will play a crucial role in the strategic leadership of the organization and in shaping the future of vocational education in Utrecht. In this role, you will work on an equal footing with the other members of the Executive Board.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a director with the following knowledge and experience:

• Management experience in a position with ultimate responsibility, preferably in a similar organization.
• Proven experience in strategy and organizational development that has led to improvements in quality and performance, preferably with experience in strategic repositioning.
• Experience in fostering a learning organization culture, with a focus on educational innovation and technological advancement.
• Experience with vocational education and a vision of the social role of vocational education.
• Financial and business acumen, and the ability to ask the right questions in those areas.

And the followingpersonal characteristics:

• Embrace the mission, vision, and core values of MBO Utrecht.
• Is an inspiring leader who brings calm and structure, while also fostering innovation and growth.
• Naturally builds relationships, both within the organization and with external partners.
• Combines a people-oriented approach with the necessary professionalism to make sustainable decisions.
• Has a network with national and regional relevance and connections to the Utrecht region.

The chair is tasked with:

• To develop and implement a strategic vision that strengthens MBO Utrecht financially and organizationally and positions it for the future by providing high-quality vocational education.
• To promote collaboration both within and outside the organization and to explore strategic alliances, setting aside personal egos and positions.
• To further develop MBO Utrecht’s values-driven culture and management philosophy, thereby fostering a sense of calm and stability.

What do we offer the new director? 

MBO Utrecht is a forward-thinking organization that offers ample opportunities to make education even more creative, challenging, and innovative, and to further optimize its operations. Everyone knows each other, and communication lines are short, making it easy to adapt quickly. Investments have been made in new construction, resulting in a beautiful educational complex.

The position is classified in Grade E according to the WNT OCW sectors; however, MBO Utrecht’s offer is contingent upon the candidate’s experience. The appointment is initially for a term of four years, with the possibility of a four-year reappointment, subject, of course, to developments in the organization’s strategic repositioning.

Would you like to comment?

MBO Utrecht is being assisted in this process by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more information about the position, please contact Monique Spaansen, senior partner at Colourful People. Would you prefer a brief online conversation? Schedule a time with Monique Spaansen | Colourful People: Information Session at MBO Utrecht. You can reach Monique at m.spaansen@colourfulpeople.nl or by phone at 06-51526255.

Apply until April 6 via the application form on the website. Interviews with the selection committees will take place on May 7 and May 16 in Utrecht. The formal appointment will be made by the Supervisory Board. The goal is to fill the position as soon as possible.

The detailed job posting with attachment is available on the website.