Are you a passionate leader who enjoys collaborating with colleagues to deliver high‑quality information services to students, lecturers and researchers? Do you inspire teams and, as a member of the management team, provide strategic directions for the library? Do you recognise yourself, then this may be the role for you: Head of Collections at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) Library.
Academic collections at WUR are characterised by a high degree of digitisation, including developments in AI, as well as a strong commitment to open access. As Head of Collections, you are responsible for collection development, collection management, interlibrary loan and document supply, and the Special Collections of WUR Library. Together with your department, you work towards achieving shared team objectives. You coach and support the teams within your department, foster a positive working environment, and encourage a culture of collaboration and innovation, with attention to the professional growth and development of each individual team member. You work closely with researchers, teaching staff, students, senior management within WUR and IT colleagues. Acting as executive lead for working groups and projects, you serve as the liaison on behalf of the management team. In addition, you are responsible for the effective allocation and control of WUR’s overall collections budget.
Your tasks and responsibilities include:
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leading and developing staff within the Collections Department to their full potential;
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developing and managing WUR Library’s (digital) collections – including budget management - in collaboration with other universities, and optimising their use in research and education;
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shaping the library’s ongoing transformation and positioning within a rapidly changing information landscape;
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making an active and strategic contribution to organisational design and renewal;
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representing the library in national and international professional bodies and fora.
In your role as a member of the management team, you work closely with three committed colleagues, as well as with Finance and HR. You report to the Head of the Library. As Head of Department, you have line management responsibility for 17 staff members across the sub‑teams Back Office, Collection Development and Special Collections.
Libraries have evolved into digital knowledge hubs. WUR Library’s ambition is to make a significant and valued contribution to strengthening WUR’s position through state‑of‑the‑art technology and expertise. This is achieved in close collaboration with our users and the IT organisation.
WUR Library is a small, agile organisation (54 FTE) offering an inspiring and dynamic working environment. The library is well embedded within Wageningen University & Research, with short lines of communication to Research and Education as well as to IT and the Executive Board.
WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants for this specific position from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an “orientation year” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “knowledge migrant”.
As Head of Collections, you are a collaborative and inspiring leader who provides clear direction with confidence and trust. You motivate your teams and create a safe and inclusive working environment. Through your positive leadership style, you ensure that your department responds flexibly and proactively to organisational change. You connect people and initiatives, both across departments within the library and beyond. You combine strategic insight with a strong commitment to the quality and development of scholarly collections. You move effortlessly between vision, inter departmental collaborations and day‑to‑day management. With your open approach and natural authority, you help build a future‑ready, innovative information infrastructure for education and research.
In addition, you bring:
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an academic level of thinking and working;
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proven and relevant experience in a leadership role;
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an affinity with scholarly information services, digitisation and innovation;
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experienced in budget management;
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excellent communication skills, with fluency in both Dutch and English (spoken and written).
In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position language level C1 is required.
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
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working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
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sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
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there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
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a fixed year-end bonus of 8,3%;
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excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between € 4,045.- and € 7,068.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11-12). Additionally, for this role a contract for 32 hours can be discussed. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance.
We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center. This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.
For more information about the position, please contact Martine Pronk, Head Librarian, via email: [email protected] or via telephone number: +31 6-24863133.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Sharon Hes, HR Business Partner, via email: [email protected] or via telephone number: +31 6-11378409.
Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
You can apply up to and including 29th of June 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before the first of June 2026.
We review applications on a rolling basis, including before the closing date. As a result, the vacancy may close earlier than indicated.
Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure.
Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.
