Chair of the Supervisory Board

DEN

Due to the rapid advancement of digital technology, society is undergoing rapid, fundamental, and continuous change. This presents opportunities for new value creation that the cultural sector can capitalize on, such as new creative possibilities for creators and the expansion and deepening of audience groups. However, it also requires organizations to adopt a completely different way of working—something the sector is lagging behind on. To remain relevant as a sector in this changing world, it is crucial to take steps in the digital transformation process. In this way, cultural organizations will be able to find, engage, and captivate the audiences of the future.

While some parts of the cultural sector are making strides in the digital realm and achieving success, many organizations are still finding their way. The issue is urgent, but not simple. This makes DEN’s coordinating and supporting role essential: DEN develops tools and methodologies to make digital transformation manageable, stimulates knowledge development, connects (cultural) organizations and professionals to collaborate and learn from one another, and provides advice on sector-wide issues. In this way, we ensure that the sector prioritizes the audience of the future, accelerate the transformation, and prevent the fragmentation of resources and innovative capacity.

DEN is a foundation with an executive director and a Supervisory Board. DEN has a staff of approximately 15 employees (as of January 2025) and regularly engages a dedicated group of independent contractors. Due to an increase in its budget effective in 2024, DEN expects to grow to 19 FTEs by 2028. As a cross-sectoral support organization, DEN is part of the basic infrastructure and receives the majority of its funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science for the period 2025–2028. 

The Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board plays a supervisory, advisory, and employer role, which it carries out in a professional and independent manner. The Board oversees how DEN is managed, how collaboration takes place, how the organization develops, and what activities are carried out. The Board ensures that the Executive Board implements sound policies in accordance with the foundation’s mission and vision. In addition, the Supervisory Board advises the Executive Board, and its members leverage their networks to support DEN wherever possible. In fulfilling their duties, the members of the Supervisory Board act in the best interests of the foundation. The members of the Supervisory Board are ambassadors for DEN. In its supervisory role, the Supervisory Board maintains contact with the organization’s staff, for example by attending informal team activities.

The board consists of five members, including the chair. The position of chair will become vacant in July 2025, as our current chair is no longer eligible for reappointment after serving two four-year terms.

What are you bringing?

The chairperson must, in any case, possess strategic thinking skills, administrative knowledge, and a clear connection to the cultural sector. Experience with or an interest in complex social issues arising from the increasing digital innovation within society is essential. An extensive and actively maintained network within sectors where digital transformation is also significant is important. The Supervisory Board maintains a good balance between its supervisory role and its function as a sounding board for the executive board, providing oversight in a stimulating and critical manner. The chair serves as a sparring partner for the CEO and is available and accessible. Strategic insight and managerial experience as an executive, board member, or supervisory board member within the cultural sector are essential, and preferably also within large companies or public organizations.

The chairperson has a unifying personality, a knack for interpersonal relationships, and a broad network, and is decisive, proactive, and dynamic. With an understanding of administrative processes and dynamics, the chairperson communicates the board’s policies both internally and externally. It is therefore important to have strong communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively at every level.

What do we have to offer?

As a supervisor, you play a crucial role in upholding DEN’s mission and guiding the organization’s development. You’ll work alongside a passionate team on an inspiring, socially meaningful initiative, helping to strengthen the organization and its impact. This is a unique opportunity to apply your expertise to the digital transformation of the cultural sector.

What will you be doing?

The board’s main responsibilities are:

• Ensuring that DEN's funds are spent in an efficient and accountable manner
• Advising and supporting the director
• Fulfilling the role of employer with respect to the director;
• Advocacy for DEN’s objectives among the cultural and creative sector, government, political circles, the media, and the business community.

The Supervisory Board generally meets four to five times a year. Based on their expertise and background, individual members of the Supervisory Board also maintain contact with the CEO and/or the Management Team on an individual basis.

As chair, you will be in regular contact with the executive director to share and discuss progress and specific issues. You will also be responsible for:

• preparing the agenda, together with the managing director,
• chairing the meetings,
• ensuring that decisions are made in accordance with the articles of incorporation and bylaws,
• further professionalizing the Supervisory Board.

How do we go about it?

DEN is committed to ensuring that its workforce and members of the Supervisory Board are diverse and inclusive. Given the current composition of the Supervisory Board, we warmly invite women to apply. DEN adheres to the Cultural Governance Codes, the Fair Practice Code, and the Diversity and Inclusion Code.

The initial term of office lasts for a maximum of four years. Members of the Supervisory Board may then be reappointed once for a four-year term. The chairperson receives an annual honorarium of €1,900.

Are you interested and do you fit the profile? Please send your cover letter and resume to HR@den.nl, Margo Slot.

All applications will be reviewed by the selection committee, which consists of members of the supervisory board. For more information about the role, please contact the current chair, Hermineke van Bockxmeer, who can be reached until December 20, 2024, and starting January 6, 2025, at 06-15038326.

The deadline for responses isThursday, January 23, 2025.