🚀  Our client is a semi-public organisation in the Netherlands, and they are looking for a Part-time Sr Regional Program Leader in Sustainable Innovation, Circular Economy and Government Relations for the Regional subsidy program & Dutch Fresh Port.

The selected candidate will work on implementing a large-scale regional development program in the Rotterdam region, South Holland Province, the Netherlands.

Subcontracting (detachering) or Freelance ZZP work(*) is possible! Let us know your preference!

(*) If the candidate is a self-employed person (ZZPer), the hourly rate must include all-inclusive costs.

>>>> Application deadline: January 8, 2026 <<<<<

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ASSIGNMENT

Our client is involved in multi-year regional programs focused on innovation, sustainability, economic development and improving social and economic conditions.

The organisation collaborates with government agencies (Province, Municipalities, City councillors, public and semi-public organisations), educational institutions for job training, DFP (Dutch Fresh Port) companies and social partners to implement impactful regional projects.

Assignment start date: February 1, 2026

Location: Rotterdam region, Province of South Holland, Netherlands

This assignment has a commitment of 2.5–3 days per week (approximately +/- 26 hours per week) for 2026 and 2027.

The contract is for almost 2 years (until 31/12/2027) with an optional extension of another 2 years (total: 4 years).

• 2026 - Year #1: approx. 1,250 hours per year

• 2027 - Year #2: approx. 1,250 hours per year

• 2028 - Year #3 - Optional extension: approx. 1,000 hours per year

• 2029 - Year #4 - Optional extension: approx. 1,000 hours per year

Attendance at the office during monthly core meetings is mandatory.

From the regional collaboration Dutch Fresh Port (DFP), there is a subsidy project called RegioDeal.

Our client collaborates with the South Holland Province, TalentHub educational organisations, municipalities, public-private organisations, city councillors, DFP (Dutch Fresh Port), etc.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Senior Program Leader is responsible for three program lines as Manager and Project Leader:

1. Sustainable Innovation: integrated programmatic project management.

2. Healthy and safe living environment: supporting activities.

3. Attracting and retaining talent: supporting activities.

This is a complex and intergovernmental role that brings together social, economic, digital, and physical challenges. The program leader serves as the link between municipalities, businesses, the province, the national government, education, and social partners, ensuring coherence between policy, implementation, and broad prosperity.

Sustainable Innovation includes four complex projects that must be managed simultaneously:

1. Residual flow hub (circular)

2. Data & AI – Digital Control Room

3. Energy cooperative & energy hubs

4. Cluster power 2.0 (TalentHub, learning ecosystem)

You are expected to collaborate with other project leaders within the entire RegioDeal programme.

ABOUT YOUR JOB

• You lead, monitor and direct the four projects of the Sustainable Innovation program (content-related, administrative, operational)

• You connect the Sustainable Innovation program with the Healthy and Safe Living Environment Program and the Talent Attraction and Retention program

• You are the link between the RegioDeal program (or other subsidy program) and DFP (Dutch Fresh Port) companies

• You manage other project managers, and you may have to be the project leader of a project (Project Management skills)

• You translate broad welfare goals into implementation

• You provide integrated direction to stakeholders (private, public and semi-public): national government, provinces, municipalities, DFP (Dutch Fresh Port) and knowledge partners.

The position requires prior knowledge of the substantive justification of the 4 project plans and experience in leading similar projects within a triple helix organisation.

This position involves the role of business contact officer, so an existing network of contacts within the DFP (Dutch Fresh Port) is essential to start projects immediately.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS VACANCY

• 8+ years of program management in public-private ecosystems.

• Demonstrable experience with AI, digital twins, data ecosystems or digital transformation.

• Experience with cluster development (fresh produce - potatoes, vegetables and fruit - energy, logistics, innovation)

• Experience with cooperatives, governance, PPP (Public-Private Partnership), and legal structures

• Experience with migrant workers, talent development, co-living or learning environments.

• Academic working and thinking level (for example: university, HBO, WO, PhD).

• Network with good contacts at DFP companies (Dutch Fresh Port).

• Demonstrable experience with innovation programs, transformation, intrapreneurship, system change and ecosystems.

• Experience in strategic advice at the level of directors, CEOs, aldermen, MRDH (Rotterdam The Hague Metropolitan Region), and provinces.

• Experience with governance and oversight. For example: Chair of the Supervisory Board (RvT / RvC), Accountancy-Legal Combination (Accountant Registered - RA - and Legal Education).

• Dutch language (minimum C1 level).

ABOUT THE "(DFP) DUTCH FRESH PORT" REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 2 years of experience IN the Dutch Fresh Port ecosystem with collaboration with:

  • Companies in the field of Dutch Fresh Port.

  • MRDH (Metropolitan Region Rotterdam The Hague), RegioDeal or previous subsidy programmes.

  • Municipalities of Barendrecht, Ridderkerk, Rotterdam

• Substantive knowledge of the subject areas of the 4 project plans

• Experience with regional deals, NPRZ (National Programme Rotterdam South), broad welfare, and provincial programmes.

• Experience with stakeholder activation in the fresh produce sector (potatoes, vegetables, fruit) and chain companies.

• Demonstrable experience in leading pilots, validation and implementation.

COMPETENCIES

• Communication skills

• Vision on cooperation with municipalities and DFP companies

• Project management & Program management experience or education

• Governance sensitivity

• Data-driven and results-oriented

• IT, technical & analytical mentality

• Strategic-managerial insight

• Negotiation skills

• Connecting leadership

• Legal, financial and innovative thinking skills

• Proven ecosystem director

• Circular Economy vision

GOOD TO KNOW

• CV: Maximum 6 pages with demonstrable experience that meets the minimum requirements!!!

• If the candidate is pre-selected by us, the candidate must:

  • Write a letter of motivation with an action plan (max. 1 A4), in which the candidate:

    • explains how the assignment will be carried out

    • explains its own role in/structure of the project plans

    • indicates how knowledge is kept up to date

• References of projects with/within Dutch Fresh Port:

  • previous collaboration or relationship with DFP companies

OUR CUSTOMER PRIORITIES

Our client will prioritise candidates who request a lower hourly rate/salary, but they will prioritise candidate quality even more! (experience, network in government & DFP, education, knowledge, etc.)

Quality for our client means:

• CV, Project Management/Program Management insight and vision on the four projects (most important!)
  The candidate demonstrates in-depth substantive knowledge of the project topics and the relationships between them.

• Involvement in the development of a RegioDeal or similar subsidy project.
  Full marks are for candidates who have actually written or led project plans.

• Network and collaboration within Dutch Fresh Port
  Demonstrable collaboration with DFP (Dutch Fresh Port) is required.

• Implementation plan 2026–2029
  The candidate has experience with activities focused on:

  • Integrated control

  • Governance

  • Broad welfare

  • Corporate participation

  • Implementation and validation

Our Core values at TheHRchapter
✔️ Transparency: We believe in transparent and smooth recruitment processes. You will get feedback from us.

✔️ Candidate experience: Perfect blend between automated and humanized recruitment processes. Don't hesitate to ask us for feedback, anytime.

✔️ Talented pool: We bring highly-skilled motivated candidates to our clients. Our candidates match their company values and management style.

✔️ Diversity and inclusion: There is no place for discrimination and intolerance. We care about diversity awareness and respect for any differences.