Summer School Officer, Temporary position

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 39,000 - 52,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

End-of-year bonus 8.3%

Sports facilities for staff

Work partly from home

Commuting expenses

Job summary

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is seeking a Summer School Officer to help organise the annual Summer School in July. You will coordinate a sociable, inclusive programme, engage with students and partners, and help manage admissions and communications.

The role involves event planning, recruitment activities, and supporting a positive student journey. A temporary, part-time position (0.8 FTE) with a competitive Dutch salary applies.

Qualifications

• Experience in event management, programme coordination, student services, hospitality, or a similar environment in the Netherlands.
• Experience organising events and activities from planning through delivery and evaluation.
• Strong interpersonal skills with diverse backgrounds.
• Good knowledge of Dutch culture.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Canva or similar design software.
• Ability to create engaging communications and promotional materials.
• Fluent English and Dutch, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Arrange planning, organisation, and delivery of a diverse social programme for students.
• Coordinate event delivery: timelines, budgets, registrations, venues, logistics, catering, and communications.
• Promote events across channels to maximise engagement and participation.
• Prepare event materials, guides, and operational documentation.
• Develop activities that foster wellbeing, intercultural exchange, and community.
• Participate in recruitment activities and outreach events for prospective students.
• Support marketing via website content and campaigns; coordinate student ambassadors.

Skills

Event management

Programme coordination

Student engagement

Administrative skills

English & Dutch fluency

Tools

Microsoft Office

Canva

Job description

Your function

As a Summer School Officer, you will join a small, enthusiastic and international team to organise our annual VU Amsterdam Summer School in July. Next to the organisational aspects, you will be involved in the communication with students and with internal- and external partners. You will also be involved in setting up the social programme before, during and after the schools to introduce the students to each other, Dutch culture, Amsterdam and the Netherlands.
Your duties

Social Programme & Event Management

• arrange the planning, organisation, and delivery of a diverse social programme for students throughout the summer school
• engage in the planning of all aspects of event delivery, including timelines, budgets, registrations, venue arrangements, logistics, catering, and participant communications
• coordinate event promotion through multiple communication channels and ensure high levels of student engagement and participation
• prepare event materials, participant information, guides, and operational documentation
• develop activities that foster student wellbeing, inclusion, intercultural exchange, and community engagement

Recruitment & Outreach

• participate in student recruitment activities and outreach initiatives, such as information sessions and promotional events for prospective students
• support marketing efforts through website content and communication campaigns
• help in coordinating activities involving student ambassadors and support ambassador recruitment

Admissions & Administration

• support student administration processes, including admission and registrations
• help in the issuing of transcripts, certificates, and other student documentation

Applicant & Student Support

• provide information and guidance to prospective and current students
• respond to enquiries and maintain regular communication with applicants and participants
• support a positive student experience throughout the student journey

Your profile

Requirements

• relevant experience in event management, programme coordination, student services, hospitality, or a similar environment in the Netherlands
• experience organising events and activities from planning through delivery and evaluation
• strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with students, colleagues, and external partners from diverse cultural backgrounds
• strong administrative and organisational skills
• good knowledge of Dutch culture
• experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.), experience with Canva (or a different design software) is a must
• ability to create engaging communications and promotional materials
• problem-solving mindset and ability to work independently
• fluent oral and written command of the English and Dutch language
• stress resilient and willing to work flexible/unusual hours

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

A challenging temporary position in a socially engaged organisation.On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €3,537 (scale 8) and a maximum € 4,673 (scale 8), depending on your education and experience. The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 0.8 FTE.

Your employment will betemporary;from February until October 2027.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
• the possibility to work partly from home
• contribution to commuting expenses

About us

International Mobility
This vacancy falls within the International Mobility department. The International Mobility department is responsible for promoting the international mobility of students and staff. The department consists of three teams and handles the central applications of international students in diploma and contract education, evaluates foreign diplomas, and processes visa, residence permit, and work permit applications for students and guests/staff. Additionally, International Mobility provides information to VU students about studying abroad, manages various funds and exchange programs, and supports housing needs for international students and guests/staff of the VU.

Student & Educational Affairs
We at Student & Educational Affairs ensure that Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam works like a well-oiled machine. We assist in logistics and help with realising educational programmes; we also aim to create a worry-free and unforgettable university experience for our students. We support students from enrolment right through graduation. We help international students and researchers find their way around VU Amsterdam, for example by arranging housing and other needs. We also work closely with the faculties in developing educational policy and implementing educational improvements. We want students to learn, grow and have fun! That’s why we organise sport and cultural activities for everyone on campus and beyond.

Are you interested in joining Student & Educational Affairs? You will work at the heart of the university. You will join over 350 colleagues in the faculties to offer students and staff exciting events and personalised high-quality services, tailored to fit their needs.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Interested

The application deadline is 22 November 2026.

After a first selection, interviews will take place on Monday 30 November 2026. We ask you to keep this in mind.

Submitting a diploma is part of the application process.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.