Chair of the Supervisory Board

Introduction

Pontes and Ostrea Form a New, Powerful Merged Organization

from two high school organizations that are working together on the future of

secondary education in the Oosterschelde region in Zeeland. Starting on

On January 1, 2025, we will join forces to tackle the challenges of the

to cope with the challenges facing the education sector and the wide range of programs offered by both foundations

to be able to maintain in our region. For this new phase, we are looking for a

an inspiring, decisive, independent, and unifying chairperson for the

Supervisory Board (RvT), which oversees the further development of the merger

and the supervisory board is leading the organization through a period of transition.

Are you an experienced supervisor with a passion for education?

and a keen eye for people and organizations? Do you have the qualities to be a

to forge a fruitful collaboration with a diverse group of professionals, and are you

able to contribute strategically and with empathy to the further

the development and innovation of our schools? If so, we warmly invite you to

to apply.

New foundation

This new foundation is the result of the merger between

the Ostrea Lyceum and the Pontes School Group. These schools, which together offer a wide

to offer vocational education, VMBO, HAVO, and VWO, as decided in 2023

to merge administratively. The merger is driven by developments in the region,

such as fluctuating student enrollment and staff shortages, and offers a strong

platform to work together to address these challenges. The new organization

stands for an innovative, future-proof educational organization that

remains accessible to students of all educational levels in Zeeland and

surrounding area.

With a solid foundation and a shared vision, we are launching on 1

January 2025 with the new foundation. Our goal is to continue to provide education

renew and improve, with a keen eye for sustainability, housing,

quality and funding. The Supervisory Board plays an essential role in this regard

role, both as a sounding board for the Executive Board and in

ensuring the quality of education and the institution’s financial stability.

Governance: A Solid Foundation for Oversight and Collaboration

The new merged foundation employs a governance model with

a two-member Executive Board and a Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board, which

consisting initially of seven members, is responsible for independent

overseeing the policies and general operations of the foundation and the

schools. The Board of Trustees also serves as the employer of the Executive Board and has an advisory role

in strategic decision-making.

Six members have already been recruited for the new Board of Trustees, hailing from

of the parent organizations. We are now looking for a chairperson who can lead this team

and bring it all together. The Board of Trustees has three standing committees:

Remuneration Committee, Education & Quality Committee, and Audit Committee.

In particular, it is essential to focus on the human aspect of the merger;

engaging staff and facilitating a smooth transition

key points to consider. The Supervisory Board meets an average of five times a year, excluding

annual self-evaluation and subcommittee meetings.

The chairperson we are looking for

The chair of the Supervisory Board plays a key role

in guiding the process that is now underway now that the merger is a reality: the

creating a cohesive whole and ensuring the stability and quality of the

Supervisory Board and, by extension, the organization. The ideal candidate is a

strategic thinker with proven experience in oversight and governance, preferably

in complex educational or merger processes. In addition to this substantive expertise

you bring collaborative leadership, a people-centered approach, and an eye for the

broader social interest. Given our strong ties to the

We find the business world through VMBO just as interesting as your experience

especially the experience you've gained there, given that you're an educator through and through

are.

Core qualities:

• People-oriented leadership: You are a natural leader who sees the person behind the role. You foster a culture of trust and open communication within the Board of Trustees and with the Executive Board.
• Experience with mergers and change initiatives: Ideally, you have experience with mergers or complex organizational changes and know how to engage teams in the change process.
• Governance and supervisory experience: You have experience serving as chair of a board of trustees or similar body, preferably within the education sector or civil society organizations. You are able to demonstrate commitment without losing sight of your role and have the ability to maintain the appropriate distance from the Executive Board at the right time. You can ensure ongoing reflection on the Board of Trustees’ actions and lead the board’s development process;
• Diplomatic and interpersonal skills: You are able to reconcile differing interests and foster cooperation, while respecting everyone’s input. You have developed expertise in meeting facilitation, conflict resolution, and diplomatic skills;
• Locally based or connected to the region: Knowledge of Zeeland is a plus, but not a requirement. What’s important is that you have an affinity for the challenges and opportunities of education in a regional context.

Specific challenges faced by a merged organization

In particular, we expect our new chair to

that it takes into account the specific dynamics of a recently merged

organization. This means fostering a constructive atmosphere within the

Board of Trustees, facilitating cooperation between the merged schools, and the

carefully balancing financial and operational interests. The success of

This merger will depend on the chairman's ability to foster unity

create within the supervisory team, without compromising individual responsibilities

lose sight of and keep a keen eye out for opportunities and

impossibilities.

General requirements for the Supervisory Board

The Board of Trustees as a whole must comply with:

• Diversity that reflects the diversity of society;
• Recognizability and credibility in the eyes of stakeholders;
• Sufficient ties to the region;
• Complementary knowledge, experience, and networks;
• Balanced team dynamics in terms of roles and responsibilities.

Important considerations

• Diversity: In selecting members of the Supervisory Board, we strive for diversity that reflects the pluralism of society
• Integrity: There must be no conflict of interest, whether substantive or personal.

Compensation

Remuneration for membership on the Supervisory Board

follows the recommendations of the VTOI-NVTK and will range between €10,000 and

€15,000 per year.

Interested?

Pontes and Ostrea are working with the executive search firm Colourful People to fill this position. For more information about the role or the application process, please contact Jantien Plooij, a partner at Colourful People (06-17703534) or via j.plooij@colourfulpeople.nl.

You can express your interest by uploading a cover letter and resume (in PDF format) by November 20, 2024, using the“Apply”button at the bottom of this page. Once your application has been successfully uploaded, you will receive a confirmation email. Didn’t receive it? Please contact Jantien Plooij. Rest assured that your information will be treated confidentially.

Schedule

The interviews will be held on December 5 between

between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM at the office of one of the schools.