Business Director

Jakop Ahlbom Company is seeking an enterprising and ambitious Executive Director who, together with the Artistic Director and the team, will contribute to the company’s growth. The Executive Director, together with Artistic Director Jakop Ahlbom, forms the management of Jakop Ahlbom Company and reports to the Board of Trustees.

The management team collectively sets the direction and ensures that the team can perform at its best. Our core values are imagination, empathy, and sustainability. The Business Director has final responsibility for business policy and provides guidance to the heads of the production, technical, marketing, and education departments. You will also supervise the financial officer. You are ultimately responsible for all processes related to financial management, fundraising, human resources, facilities, sales & planning, sustainability, and internationalization. The core team works from our own studio in Weesp.

Jakop Ahlbom Company is seeking an enterprising director with:

• Experience in a managerial role or as the person with final financial responsibility within an organization.
• The ability to listen, to give the experienced team the space and responsibility they need, to set boundaries, to maintain a calm atmosphere, and to challenge and inspire them when appropriate.
• A collaborative mindset that enables partners (such as talent agencies, co-production partners, cultural institutions, theaters, agents, and financiers) to carry out artistic plans as effectively as possible.
• A vision for expanding the company’s reach, strengthening our position in the national and international arena, and increasing our impact in Amsterdam and Weesp.
• Experience in fundraising and securing sponsors, as well as identifying new financial partners, which may also involve developing new business models.
• Knowledge of and experience with administrative processes. Overseeing the various personnel responsible for budget preparation and monitoring.

In terms of personality, we are looking for someone who:

• Entrepreneurial and ambitious in both word and deed. Moving from vision and substance to concrete actions. Proactive, able to set long-term goals, work according to a step-by-step plan, take the initiative, and see things through. 
• Possesses excellent communication skills: interpersonal skills, empathy, and a clear, open, and direct communication style. A 
• You are approachable and a team player. You are part of a team, dedicated to supporting the artistic work of the Jakop Ahlbom Company, ensuring compliance with financial guidelines, and committed to making it a success—both domestically and internationally.
• Having an innovative, creative, and flexible mindset means you are able to translate the implications of artistic choices into innovative solutions, recognize and weigh the artistic and financial risks involved, while also ensuring compliance with structural and financial guidelines.

In terms of education, we expect:

• College-level academic and intellectual ability
• Proficiency in spoken and written English

Profile:

In a country where so many different languages are spoken, we offer a universal language on stage: that of image and movement. We are a company that embraces differences. We view diversity and inclusion as a major asset and believe in broad representation across a range of areas, including gender, educational background, cultural background, religion, sexual identity, and age. We are looking for candidates who will strengthen our team in this regard. 

What do we offer?

We are offering an excellent management position within a well-established organization. Terms of employment are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Theater and Dance, generally based on pay scale X. The salary depends on the number of years of experience and, as of 2025, ranges from a minimum of €4,618 to a maximum of €6,212 gross per month. The Jakop Ahlbom Company receives long-term support from the Performing Arts Fund and the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts.

Procedure

As of December 1, an interim business director has joined Jakop Ahlbom Company. We aim for him to hand over his duties to the new business director by March 1 or April 1 at the latest. The Supervisory Board of Jakop Ahlbom Company is being assisted in this process by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more information about this position, please call Winfred Voordendag, senior partner at Colourful People, at 06-28284706 or email w.voordendag@colourfulpeople.nl.

You can express your interest by submitting your cover letter and resumeby January 10, 2025, via the application form on the Colourful People website. Interviews will be held on Friday, January 24. A reference check will also be part of the process.