Chair of the Supervisory Board

The ambassador of symphonic and vocal music in the public sector

The Stichting Omroep Muziek (SOM) is the production house for live classical music within Dutch public broadcasting. With the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the Groot Omroepkoor, SOM presents more than 75 live performances annually as part of three renowned concert series: the AVROTROS Friday Concert, the NTR Saturday Matinee, and the Sunday Morning Concert. These series, broadcast on NPO Klassiek, combine musical excellence with social relevance. They serve as valued ambassadors for new and lesser-known music in the Netherlands and beyond. In doing so, SOM contributes to both the preservation and the renewal of a vibrant music culture.

The Radio Philharmonic Orchestra ranks among the top orchestras in the Netherlands. Together with the Groot Omroepkoor, the orchestra was awarded the Concertgebouw Prize in September 2017, further highlighting the quality of both ensembles. The choir and orchestra distinguish themselves through exceptional symphonic concerts, concertante opera performances, and Dutch music. Dutch premieres and world premieres form an important part of their repertoire. The chief conductor of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra is Karina Canellakis. The English conductor Benjamin Goodson is the chief conductor of the Groot Omroepkoor.

The Stichting Omroep Muziek employs approximately 240 people. The organization receives regular subsidies from the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW) through the NPO. In addition, SOM owns the Muziekcentrum van de Omroep (MCO), a national historic monument, which it operates on a sustainable basis. SOM is not a BIS institution, but occasionally provides facilities to BIS companies.

SOM operates within a broad network of public and cultural partners. Its relationship with NPO, AVROTROS, and NTR is both administrative and operational: they serve as both clients and partners. The terms of this relationship are set forth in a cooperation agreement. The foundation produces the Live Music Series on behalf of the broadcasters, in close consultation with artistic partners and under the direction of the NPO.

The context: strategic reorientation and necessary renewal

Simone Meijer has been the executive director of the SOM since June 2024. The SOM employs two principal conductors. It was recently announced that Karina Canellakis will remain principal conductor of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra until 2031. The SOM is in good shape. Its concerts are well-attended and highly regarded. 

In its advisory report on the 2022–2026 policy plan, the Council for Culture emphasized the importance of a strong artistic direction, an in-house artistic director, and a more proactive policy regarding innovation, diversity, and fair practice. The SOM thus faces a future that is challenging both in terms of content and governance, one that requires steadfastness, connection, and vision.

At the same time, public broadcasting is on the verge of budget cuts and administrative restructuring. For SOM, this means actively working to strengthen artistic control, redefining its collaboration with AVROTROS, NTR, and the NPO, and achieving greater visibility and impact within the media landscape.

The Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board consists of five members and exercises comprehensive oversight of policy, strategy, risks, and governance. The Board acts as the employer of the Executive Director and fulfills a unifying and representative role vis-à-vis the broader field. In addition to exercising oversight, the Board contributes relevant knowledge and expertise and maintains a network that is relevant to the orchestra. The Supervisory Board is responsible for overseeing the general course of affairs within the foundation and for supervising the management and the administration conducted by the management. Supervisory Board members are appointed by the NPO, in consultation with the involved broadcasters NTR and AVROTROS.

General profile characteristics of Supervisory Board members

• Administrative experience, preferably in the cultural and/or public sector
  
• Strategic thinking and social awareness
  
• Experience as a supervisor or sparring partner at the executive level
  
• Independent judgment and a sense of teamwork
  
• An affinity for classical music and choral culture
  
• Familiarity with the role and position of public broadcasting in the Netherlands
  
• No (potential) conflict of interest
  

Specific profile: Chair of the Supervisory Board

• Administrative and legal background and governance experience, with a keen understanding of political and administrative processes related to culture, media, and education, culture, and science policy, as well as knowledge of the broadcasting system.
  
• Experience with organizational management and oversight in complex environments
  
• First sparring partner for the CEO
  
• Liaison with conductors, the NPO, and broadcasters at the Board of Trustees level
  
• Member of the Compensation Committee
  
• Experience with employee participation
  
• Sufficient availability to fulfill the role
  
• Social network and public representation
  
• Lover of classical music and choral music
  

Practical

The Board meets approximately four to six times a year, including an annual strategy session. In addition to regular meetings, informal consultations, concert visits, and working visits take place. The chair receives an annual honorarium of €1,500, plus reimbursement for expenses incurred. The Supervisory Board and the Executive Director comply with and apply the provisions of the Governance Code for Culture (GCC), the Diversity and Inclusion Code, and the Fair Practice Code.

Procedure

SOM is working with Colourful People on this recruitment process. If you have any questions, please contact Winfred Voordendag, senior partner, at 06 28 28 47 06 or by email atw.voordendag@colourfulpeople.nl. If you are interested, please upload your cover letter and resume via the application form on the Colourful People website by Sunday, June 1. Interviews will take place onFriday, June 13, in the morning. SOM strives to build a team that makes the organization more diverse in every respect. The position is based at the Muziekcentrum van de Omroep; performances take place in Utrecht (TivoliVredenburg) and Amsterdam (Concertgebouw).