On 11 June 2020, the World Press Photo Foundation announced the departure of Lars Boering, who had been managing director since 2015. Arnoud van Dommele, who was working as an interim business director since March, was appointed interim managing director whilst the search for a new director began. We are happy to announce that applications for the position of executive director at World Press Photo are now open.
A new phase for connecting the world to the stories that matter
The World Press Photo Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with 25 staff members. In the six decades of the foundation, the world has changed continuously, and new developments in the media and technology have transformed journalism and storytelling. We draw on our experience to guide visual journalists, storytellers, and audiences through this changing landscape.
A different world has presented itself to us in recent months. While our mission remains to connect the world to the stories that matter, the COVID-19 pandemic and other global developments have shifted the way we fulfill this mission. The World Press Photo Foundation is searching for an executive director to lead the organization forward in its new phase.
Now more than ever, supporting the conditions for freedom of expression, freedom of inquiry, and freedom of the press is a fundamental part of our work. Building on a strong foundation, the executive director’s role will be to steer and develop the organization for the future.
Role and selection process
The World Press Photo Foundation is looking for a purpose-driven and committed individual to lead and manage the organization and its staff. The executive director will have overall strategic, managerial and operational responsibility for the World Press Photo Foundation's staff, programs and execution of its mission.
A selection committee, consisting of representatives of the staff, management team and supervisory board, is working together with an independent agency for the search of an executive director that will fit with the foundation’s values. A number of executive recruiting agencies were selected by the selection committee to make a pitch, from which Colourful People was chosen, for their expertise, inclusive approach to the selection process and their comprehensive understanding of the needs of the position.
The World Press Photo Foundation strives to be an inclusive environment and is committed to this in the recruitment, selection and placement of this position. All interested parties, regardless of nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, or gender, are welcome to apply and will be considered equally. Diversity is one of the World Press Photo Foundation’s core values, and we want to enhance the diversity of our workforce and reflect the world we live in.
Applications now closed
The opening for the executive director position has closed on 20 September 2020 at 17.00 CEST. After the application period, a number of candidates were selected to interview for the position during October. We expect the selection process to be complete by November 2020, and will provide updates on the developments.
Images credits:
Matca | World Press Photo Exhibition 2019, Hanoi, Vietnam
Frank van Beek, Hollandse Hoogte | 6x6 display, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
