Vacancy Head of CollectionsVacancy Head of Collections

At Nieuwe Instituut, you'll work surrounded by archives of iconic Dutch architects and designers. From Rem Koolhaas to Gerrit Rietveld and Theo van Doesburg. In this unique environment, you preserve the past and look to the future. Do you see opportunities to renew our collection, for example by expanding on our pioneering digital innovations and through new stories and archives? And do you want to be engaged with national heritage policy while developing programmes and collaborating locally, nationally and internationally with an interesting network of stakeholders? Become our new head of collections!

• The impressive collection. With 4 million items, we have the largest and one of the most valued architecture collections in the world. 1.4 million drawings, 300,000 photographs, 2,500 models, 70,000 books and magazines and a wealth of correspondence and (digital) files document 150 years of Dutch architecture and urban planning.
• Room to renew. We encourage you to experiment and innovate. Be at the forefront of digitisation and archiving, and explore new ways to open up the collection and Huis Sonneveld, our museum house.
• You’re a connector, worldwide. Connect different disciplines: architecture, design and digital culture. Past, present and future. And local, national and international audiences and stakeholders. Your home base is Rotterdam, but you'll increase our visibility and lead your team in entering into new collaborations internationally.

You will develop and implement policies for the management, digitisation and accessibility of our collection, archives, library and Sonneveld House, museum house. You draw up the departmental budget and, together with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, ensure that the budgets are distributed and our efforts are aligned with national heritage policy. In addition, you will strengthen the visibility of the collection by developing, and supporting your colleagues in developing, fascinating stories and stimulating scientific research. You’ll work closely with our other departments, including Programme, Research and Agency.

As a manager, you will lead a diverse and dedicated team of 38 colleagues, ranging from conservators to application managers. You create the safe atmosphere in which the team members feel inspired and empowered and stimulate development. Together, you will improve knowledge sharing about our collection and contribute to fundraising and PR activities. In short, you ensure that our collection is optimally managed and presented, both physically and digitally. In addition, you will explore ways to innovate, within your own Collections department and together with other departments, such as Research, Programme and Agency.

• A gross monthly salary between € 4.784 and € 6.853 in scale 13 of the Museum collective labor agreement.
• Prospect of a permanent contract.
• 194,4 vacation hours (201,6 per January 2025).
• Reimbursement of all your travel expenses.
• Flexible working hours and the ability to work from home.
• The opportunity to pioneer and develop yourself, your vision and the team.
• A good pension scheme.

• Academic level (through education or work experience) in a relevant field, such as architecture, design, or art history.
• Knowledge of cultural archiving and heritage processes, such as acquisition, access, digitisation and visibility.
• A strong vision and drive to innovate, but also a feeling for the processes within our institute.
• A leadership style in which you enjoy working together and positively motivate team members to use their talents.
• Looking outwards: you get energy from building an (international) network and entering into new collaborations, both within and outside our institute.

Send your motivation and CV to solliciteren@nieuweinstituut.nl by 10 September at the latest. Do you have any questions? Feel free to send an e-mail to Aric Chen, General and Artistic director through a.chen@nieuweinstituut.nl.

You are welcome with us as you are. At Nieuwe Instituut, we embrace and celebrate diversity in all its forms. We strive for a team in which different perspectives are represented.

The first conversations will be held on 18 and 19 September, in the afternoon. The second round will be on 24 and 25 September, also in the afternoon.