The framework brings a thorough understanding of what is expected of you as a manager and what you need to fulfil your role effectively. It is a useful starting point for selection, staff review, appointment, annual consultation, career promotion and managerial training.
Why a management framework?
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam considers good management and leadership as a precondition for a healthy working environment and for realizing our shared ambitions. Management means providing balanced guidance and support to employees and teams. You are responsible for the team’s results, the development of and collaboration among employees, and in most cases also for the finances, processes and strategy within your scope (team, section, department, or unit).
In addition, managers also serve as role models in terms of leadership, which concerns everyone's personal behavior in investing in collaboration and communication with colleagues, and contributing as a team to the realization of the ambitions of VU Amsterdam. The principles of Art of Engagement serve as a guide for how we want to collaborate and communicate in teams.
Effective leadership is an art that requires continuous development. We are therefore committed to supporting managers by fostering a stimulating learning environment to help them fulfill their roles effectively.
The purpose of this framework is to provide a 'user manual' and inspiring framework for managers: what do we expect from you when you lead at one of the four management levels, and which training programs support you in doing so?
Who is this framework for and how do you use it?
The framework is intended for every manager, both academic (WP) and support staff (OBP), to clarify the tasks and responsibilities we expect at a specific management level at VU Amsterdam, as well as the relevant training programmes. Managerial responsibilities are part of the UFO profile and are further elaborated in this framework in terms of skills and specific tasks. If a task nevertheless does not fall within the manager's scope of responsibilities, it is important for the manager and their higher level manager to coordinate this.
In addition, it is intended for HR advisors who use the framework as a guide to support various HR processes such as onboarding new managers, recruitment, scans of potential, appointments, promotion, advising on team development and training management.
How does the framework relate to other tools?
- The University Job Ranking System (UFO) forms the basis of this leadership framework. The manager’s tasks and responsibilities are elaborated in greater detail within the framework.
- This framework is structured in alignment with the education framework, so that different career paths can be viewed in a comparable manner.
- Within the Academic Career Paths framework (established 2023), leadership skills are a prerequisite for vertical promotion.
How is this framework structured?
The framework consists of four management levels. This classification is based on differences in responsibility and the nature of leadership:
- Operational management: when you provide day-to-day guidance to employees.
- Tactical management: when you are the direct and integral manager of one or more teams.
- Strategic management: when you indirectly manage other managers and share responsibility for the strategy of the faculty or division.
- Administrative management (faculty boards and directors of service departments): when you (co-)manage the faculty or division.
To view the complete management framework as a compact table, you can open the pdf.