The Organisation

For one of our clients, an organisation operating at the intersection of digital infrastructure, technology and public services, we are searching for an experienced Interim Chief Operating Officer / Chief Information Officer (COO / CIO).

The organisation operates within a semi-public environment, providing essential digital services that support a broad ecosystem of public institutions, private enterprises and other stakeholders. Its activities contribute to the effective functioning of critical infrastructure and require a careful balance between operational reliability, technological innovation and broader societal interests.

Operating in a complex, multi-stakeholder landscape, the organisation combines the responsibilities and governance considerations of a public or semi-public institution with the operational and technological demands of a commercially oriented digital services provider.

As the organisation enters its next phase of development, an experienced interim executive is required to ensure operational continuity, strengthen technological leadership and provide direction during a period of organisational transition.

The Role

As Interim COO / CIO, you assume executive responsibility for the organisation's operational and technological activities. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a member of the Executive Team, you oversee IT, digital operations, technology development and related operational functions.

Your primary responsibility is to ensure stability, continuity and effective execution while providing strategic direction on the organisation's evolving technology and operational agenda.

The position requires an executive who understands the particular dynamics of public and semi-public organisations, including complex governance structures, accountability to multiple stakeholders, and the need to balance public interests with organisational performance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing interim executive leadership across operations, IT and digital technology.
• Ensuring the continuity, reliability and security of business-critical digital services and infrastructure.
• Leading and prioritising ongoing operational improvement and digital transformation initiatives.
• Navigating complex governance and decision-making structures involving public and private stakeholders.
• Managing senior specialists and multidisciplinary teams, establishing clear priorities, accountability and effective execution.
• Advising the CEO and Executive Team on operational performance, technological investments and strategic priorities.
• Preparing the organisation for a successful transition to permanent executive leadership.

The assignment is expected to run for an initial period of six to twelve months, during which the interim executive will be expected to deliver tangible improvements while safeguarding organisational stability.

The Ideal Candidate

Experience

• Extensive executive leadership experience as an Interim COO, CIO, CDIO or comparable senior executive with responsibility for operations and technology.
• Demonstrable leadership experience within public, semi-public or publicly governed organisations is strongly preferred. Candidates should have operated in environments characterised by public accountability, complex governance and multiple institutional stakeholders.
• A minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience, combining operational leadership with IT, digital infrastructure or technology management.
• Proven experience leading business-critical digital services, technology platforms or complex IT operations.
• A strong track record in interim management, organisational transformation, operational improvement or executive leadership transitions.
• Experience navigating the intersection of public-sector governance, private-sector partnerships and commercial considerations.
• Familiarity with regulated environments, public digital infrastructure, government-related technology organisations or essential service providers is particularly relevant.
• Experience in infrastructure, logistics, mobility or other sectors with a strong public-interest dimension is advantageous, but not essential.

Skills & Leadership Competencies

• Public-sector awareness. Understands the governance, accountability and stakeholder dynamics characteristic of public and semi-public organisations.
• Immediate impact. Able to enter a complex organisation, assess its priorities quickly and establish credibility from the outset.
• Operational leadership. Ensures business continuity, organisational stability and disciplined execution during periods of change.
• Technological expertise. Combines strategic digital understanding with the ability to oversee complex IT and operational environments.
• Stakeholder management. Builds trust with executive leadership, supervisory bodies, public institutions, external partners and internal teams.
• Decisiveness. Comfortable taking responsibility and making well-considered decisions within complex governance structures.
• Pragmatic leadership. Balances strategic direction with hands-on execution, delivering measurable results within a defined interim assignment.

Language Requirements

Professional fluency in Dutch and English is required.

Interested?

Please submit your CV in English. Reference and diploma checks are a standard part of the procedure; assessments and pre-employment screening may also be included