Bringing the technical vision of the sport to life
At KNGU, you contribute to talent development and elite sport with impact. You provide direction to the technical vision of artistic gymnastics — for both women’s and men’s programmes — lead coaches and experts, and build programmes in which talent can develop safely and to its full potential. From Papendal — the central hub for collaboration — you are visibly present throughout the country and within the elite sport arena. You join the organisation at a time of renewal, as we work towards a solid foundation, restored trust and a clear, unified technical direction within a complex elite sport environment.
Your impact
As National Head Coach, you are responsible for the technical vision and the substantive development of the elite sport programmes within artistic gymnastics.
- You develop, implement and safeguard the technical strategy in both the short and long term.
- You lead coaches, experts and support staff, strengthening collaboration and overall quality.
- You ensure coherence and continuous development across talent development and elite sport programmes.
What you will do
Together with the Manager Talent Development & Elite Sport, you form a close dual leadership and report directly to the General Director. Within this structure, you are responsible for the execution of the HR cycle for the technical staff. Together, you provide direction and ensure stability and unity within the elite sport organisation.
- You are ultimately responsible for the composition of national teams, programme design and talent identification, for both women’s and men’s gymnastics.
- You provide direction to the delivery of elite sport programmes and to the creation of a safe, responsible and high-performance training environment.
- You act as the technical sporting lead towards the media and work closely with Marketing, Communication & Partnerships on visibility and storytelling.
- You actively and visibly shape a responsible elite sport climate on a daily basis, placing athletes at the centre and ensuring that performance goes hand in hand with well-being and personal development.
- You are a member of the Management Team.
What you bring
- You are a connecting, coaching and results-driven leader who operates comfortably in an environment with high ambitions and performance pressure.
- You have an HBO+ level of thinking and working and experience within national and international elite sport structures.
- You have experience as a coach, national coach or technical leader (experience within gymnastics is an advantage).
- You combine strong technical expertise with genuine attention to people, culture and behaviour.
- You are able to provide direction in a context of change, encourage open dialogue and demonstrate exemplary leadership in building an open and safe elite sport environment.
Reflection questions
- How do you take responsibility within an organisation with a complex and sensitive history?
- How do you create unity in leadership within a complex elite sport context?
- What does it require of you to truly place athletes at the centre of decisions and behaviour?
Why KNGU
You will be part of the Talent Development & Elite Sport team and work closely with (head) coaches, trainers, the Manager Elite Sport, the General Director and colleagues from Marketing, Communication & Partnerships. Hybrid working is possible, with Papendal as the home base and central place for collaboration.
Proud to work at KNGU
Enabling more people to move and enjoy gymnastics. KNGU is the oldest sports federation in the Netherlands and has been promoting lifelong participation in sport for over 150 years — from gym, artistic gymnastics and freerunning to jazz dance and trampoline. Together with more than 900 clubs, 5,000 coaches and 260,000 athletes, we are committed to building an enjoyable and safe sporting environment.
Terms & conditions
This position falls under the Sports Collective Labour Agreement (CAO Sport), salary scale 12, based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. The role is available for 0.8 FTE to 1.0 FTE.
In addition, we offer:
- A Personal Choice Budget (PKB), consisting of above-statutory leave, holiday allowance and end-of-year bonus in accordance with the CAO Sport
- 20 vacation days (based on 1.0 FTE), with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days via the PKB
- A laptop
- A mobile phone of your choice within the KNGU budget
- Eligibility for a lease car (in accordance with the lease policy)
- A sustainable employability budget of €500 per year
- €100 annual sports allowance
- Collective health insurance discount with Zilveren Kruis
Internal and external recruitment
This vacancy is published internally and externally at the same time. In the event of equal suitability, internal candidates will be given priority.
Application & contact
Do you see yourself in this role? Please submit your CV with a motivation letter or a short introduction video by February 22, 2026 to po@kngu.nl. Interviews will take place in week 10 at Papendal.
For substantive questions about the position, please contact Remco Boer via boer@kngu.nl.
A Certificate of Conduct (VOG) and an assessment are a standard part of the recruitment procedure.
