KIT is seeking to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer. KIT is a knowledge institute, business location and hospitality venue with a mission: to contribute to an inclusive and sustainable world. From the campus in Amsterdam and through the global partner network, KIT enables people and communities to bring about positive change.

KIT has two main business activities:

• KIT Institute is an independent knowledge institute. The work of KIT’s experts focuses on global health, gender equality and sustainable economic development. The institute offers various education programmes, including a master's programme in Public Health and Health Equity.
• KIT Campus with its landmark building is a sought-after office location. KIT shares the building with a thriving KIT Community of more than 1,000 people working for an inclusive and sustainable world. Part of the building is available for conferences and events provided by KIT’s hospitality company KIT Events. KIT’s campus also houses KIT Hotel, which is currently being renovated, and KIT Live: a stage for art and culture equipped with two dance and music studios, a theatre, a podcast studio, and a café.

KIT’s workforce consists of around 150 employees (approximately 125 FTE), of which 100 employees (80 FTE) are dedicated to the Knowledge Institute. In addition, 28 employees (23 FTE) work in the hospitality sector and there are staff units that often work for both -equally important- business activities. A number of business activities are organized in separate legal entities.

KIT’s strategic focus is to:

• further position as a thought leader and think-tank with a number of multi-year knowledge programs;
• strengthen KIT’s worldwide activities and impact by becoming a “global partnership organization”;
• increase impact on the SDGs in the Netherlands by increasing the effectiveness and visibility of the KIT campus as initiator, curator, and host of SDG activities in the Netherlands, and;
• to strive to make our impact more explicit in everything KIT does.

KIT is currently designing and updating its long-term strategy. This is a unique opportunity for KIT’s new CEO to integrate the two strategies for KIT Institute and KIT Campus into an inspiring and future proof ‘One KIT’ strategy, while building on synergies, cohesion, and strong branding.

Vacancy Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

KIT’s new CEO is purpose driven and has an intrinsic motivation to contribute to a sustainable and inclusive world through KIT's activities. An academic thinking and working level are important.

 The following experiences are relevant:

• Governance: Successful track record in Board/executive role(s). Understanding of and experience with governance and statutory responsibilities of different organizational bodies.
• Leadership: Experience in leading purpose-driven, diverse organizations with an international work force. Experience with leadership and culture development, based on a work culture with diversity, equity, and inclusion at the core. Demonstrable experience in inspiring a diverse range of employees and stakeholders, preferably including academic professionals working with knowledge-intensive projects and education, and professionals working in a commercial, business-oriented environment.
• Business models: Demonstrable track record in strategy development and strategic positioning of complex, multi-stakeholder organizations. Good understanding of (potential) business models for knowledge institutions, international development, and hospitality and events. Understanding the priorities and complexities around a broad network of stakeholders, both internationally and locally. Track record in supporting non-profit organizations achieving financial viability through a mix of revenue sources including commercial activities and donor-funded activities.
• Organization: Experience with continuous organizational development, professionalization, and operational excellence in a constantly changing world, not only in numbers, operations, and ICT, but also in the field of organizational culture, delegated responsibilities, accountability, and efficiency of the organization.

The following competencies apply to this position:

• Connecting leadership style: Naturally connecting, impact-driven and inspiring leader who is recognized as such both internally and externally. Values driven leader, leading by example in behavior, in particular in light of diversity, equity and, inclusion, sustainability, and the other organizational values. Organizational and cultural sensitivity, also with respect to international staff.  
• Strong communicator: Experienced and skilled communicator, clear and consistent, professional, diplomatic and able to shape an organization-wide decision-making infrastructure based on delegated authorities and corresponding escalation mechanisms. Ability to successfully engage and cooperate with relevant external and internal stakeholders. Able to represent KIT as a figurehead, networker, and ambassador.
• Helicopter view: Strategic insight into a constantly changing world, in particular in relation to international development and sustainability. Can easily separate essentials from side-issues. Commercially pragmatic, result-oriented and capability to operationalize strategic direction into effective steering on output (KPIs).
• Language: KIT is a bilingual organization, based in Amsterdam. As a result, fluency in written and spoken English and Dutch is required.

Additional information

KIT aspires to be an equitable and inclusive community. KIT considers inclusivity of talent and diversity of people and perspectives as valuable resources that contribute to its mission. KIT provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, functional impairment, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes them unique.

Procedure

An executive search exercise is being undertaken by Perrett Laver to assist the Appointment Committee in identifying the widest possible field of qualified candidates and assisting in the assessment of candidates against the requirements for the role.

Informal enquiries and questions can be directed to Boris Evenhuis on +31 (0)202 404 378 or boris.evenhuis@perrettlaver.com. Applications can be uploaded at https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies/, quoting reference number 7598.

The closing date for applications is at 9 am CET on Monday, 2nd December.

Applications should consist of a cover letter addressing suitability against the person specification and a full curriculum vitae.

Applications will be considered by the Appointment Committee in beginning of December. First round of formal interviews will be held in mid-December and a second round in mid-January. Selection of and negotiations with the preferred candidate will take place thereafter.

A development assessment may be part of the procedure.

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