Head of Education Support

Faculty: 

The University Corporate Offices

Department: 

Utrecht University Library

Hours per week: 

32 to 40

Application deadline: 

5 May 2026

Would you like to shape the direction of educational support at a time when digitalisation, AI and Open Science are transforming the way students and lecturers work with information? For the university library, these developments present new challenges and opportunities to provide best support for education in this area.

As Head of the Educational Support Department, you will translate these developments in education into a clear strategic direction for the department and its related services in the areas of information literacy, copyright and open educational resources.

You provide direction for the library’s role in supporting academic education. Together with the team, you will develop a clear vision for the future of information literacy, in conjunction with broader academic skills such as critical thinking, digital literacy and the responsible use of AI. Based on this approach, you will also ensure the connection between the library’s services and those of the Skillslab
external link
. You will also encourage alignment and collaboration within the university on topics such as open education and copyright.

You will link strategy and practice and drive the department’s development. In this role you translate ambitions and objectives into concrete tasks for the team and ensure a clear division of responsibilities, adequate capacity and an effective consultation structure. You lead a team of twelve professionals, each with their own area of expertise, and are able to unite them around shared goals. The team is committed, knowledgeable and inquisitive, and is looking for a manager who creates space for initiative and diversity, provides direction, and ensures cohesion and focus. 

As a department head, you are part of the library's management team. Together with your fellow department heads and the executive team, you are responsible for a wide range of products and services for the academic community at Utrecht University. In addition to your responsibility for your department, you also have a collective responsibility for developing the organization, for example through strategic personnel planning.

You translate developments in higher education into a clear direction for the department. You bring structure, maintain an overview and link strategy to day-to-day practice. You communicate clearly, collaborate effectively and support colleagues in their development.

• You have an academic qualification;
• You have managerial experience (at least 3 years);
• You have knowledge of higher education and an interest in information literacy, copyright and open education;
• You have a command of Dutch and English at C1 level

• a permanent employment contract;
• a working week of 32 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €5.705 and €7.297 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 12 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development , various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities . You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University .

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes . Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow .

As a partner in science, the Utrecht University Library  enables its users to excel. The right material, at the right time, in the right place and in the right way. The library is accessible online at anytime and anywhere. This is how the university library is a reliable partner for researchers, lecturers and students in the field of scientific information provision. We use our expertise to continuously improve the scientific communication cycle. We inspire people to meet each other and exchange knowledge. We organize our services in close cooperation with other parties inside and outside Utrecht University, transcending the boundaries between disciplines.

For more information, please contact Mirte van der Zouwen, University Librarian at m.j.vanderzouwen@uu.nl .

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home  for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.

The application deadline is 5 May 2026.