Diverse Leaders in Tech is looking for a Managing Director to lead the organisation into its next phase: from founder-led to community-led, commercially sustainable and built to scale.
You would not be starting from scratch. DLiT has a recognised brand, a strong network across the Dutch and European tech ecosystem, and Industry Leader members including Booking.com, Prosus, Just Eat Takeaway, Mews, Adyen, Nearfield Instruments and Techleap. The programmes are running: the State of Inclusion research, the ERG Collective, the mentorship programme and city hub activity. The strategy for a community-powered model is designed and ready to execute.
What's needed now is someone to turn that momentum into structure, revenue and rhythm.
Founder Ingrid Tappin will stay involved as strategic advisor and thought leader. This role is designed to take over her day-to-day commercial and operational responsibilities.
DLiT is a community and business platform helping the Dutch and European tech ecosystem move from good intentions on inclusion to measurable progress and collective action. Through company memberships, research, community programmes and leadership convenings, we bring companies, leaders, ERGs and professionals together around one question: how do we build a tech sector where more people can lead, belong and thrive?
As Managing Director you become the commercial and operational lead of DLiT. You have real decision-making space to shape the organisation.
You report monthly to our board, currently Ingrid Tappin and Gillian Tans. Ingrid will support you through the transition with strategy, introductions and context. Over time you decide when and how to involve her.
You will:
-
Lead the execution of DLiT's community-powered strategy
-
Grow Industry Leader memberships — the main commercial priority — and strengthen the wider model across company, startup and professional tiers
-
Build and hold senior relationships with member companies and partners, turning DLiT's existing assets into clear member value
-
Build and support the programme teams behind the ERG Collective, mentorship, city hubs and State of Inclusion
-
Create the structures, rhythm and accountability a distributed contributor network needs
-
Lead day-to-day operations and programme delivery, and represent DLiT externally
-
Own the P&L and keep the board informed
In twelve months, DLiT is less dependent on its founder and more commercially, operationally and community-led. Specifically:
-
A functioning community-powered operating model with active programme teams, including one for State of Inclusion
-
Growth in Industry Leader memberships delivering at least €100,000 in additional annual revenue
-
Strong delivery of the ERG Collective, mentorship and city hub programmes
-
A sharper membership proposition across all four tiers
-
Clear operational processes, ownership and reporting
-
Ingrid's role successfully shifted towards strategic advisor and thought leadership
We're looking for someone who combines commercial drive and the ability to build community, with a genuine commitment to inclusion and systemic change.
You might come from a startup or scale-up, a membership or ecosystem organisation, commercial partnerships, a foundation, a consultancy or a mission-driven business. What matters most is that you know how to build momentum, create structure and turn relationships into sustainable revenue.
-
Experience building or professionalising an organisation, programme or community
-
The ability to lead through influence rather than hierarchy
-
Strong business acumen
-
Confidence in communicating with senior stakeholders in large companies
-
Comfortable with commercial targets, budgets and P&L responsibility
-
Warmth, clarity and follow-through
You'll thrive here if you like building on what already exists, making it sharper, and taking ownership. You'll have operational and administrative support, freelance capacity you can direct, an active community of contributors and a strategy you don't have to invent. What you won't have is a large team on the payroll or a finished structure — if you need either, this isn't the role.
If you think you would be an amazing fit, but you don’t meet all the criteria - we still want to hear from you. Take your time to fill our the application form (part of the application process) to explain why you are the person we are looking for.
-
A visible leadership role in an established and respected platform, with real ownership of its next chapter
-
Strategic access to a strong network of tech companies, founders and executives
-
Base salary €75,000 – €80,000 gross per year
-
Contract: 32-40 hours per week (4 or 5 days) - salary will be pro-rated
-
Commission on new and renewed membership revenue (20% on earnings above target)
-
A long-term commercial stake in what you build (this will be structured together with you)
- This role will be Netherlands-based, with a mix of remote work, member visits and events.
- Fluent English is required; Dutch is not required.
- You must have the right to work in the Netherlands without a sponsor. We're not able to sponsor a visa.
The application deadline is September 18th. The process will include a phone interview (chemistry call), a personal interview and a case-presentation.
Initial screening of applications is done by 7people in collaboration with Ingrid Tappin. You will receive feedback on your application once the deadline has passed.
If you have questions about the role, you can send your questions via email to: [email protected]
