CEO

About Smart Coop

SmartCoop is a shared and cooperative enterprise that enables thousands of workers to develop their activities in a safe, mutual, and democratic environment (1 person = 1 vote).

Are you looking for a professional challenge with a direct and concrete social impact? Then join the Smart cooperative, which has been committed to this in Belgium for over 25 years.

Smart is in a growth phase. Tools are being adapted to current standards, the economic model is being strengthened, and the management structure is being improved. In this context, Smart is recruiting its next CEO to lead the execution of the strategy, ensure the quality of services to members, and shape the cooperative project daily. This will be done in collaboration with a second CEO who will remain in office until September 2026.

Status employee or self-employed

Your mission (purpose of the role)

• Ensure healthy, transparent and sustainable management of Smart, in line with its cooperative values (democracy, solidarity, autonomy, protection) and social purpose, by implementing the guidelines approved by the Board of Directors (BoD) and the General Assembly.
• Guarantee the quality of services to members.
• Promote cooperation between departments.

Scope & governance

• Status: delegate for day-to-day management (renewable 4-year term), serving the members, the Board of Directors and the general meeting; representation of the cooperative in actions and in law in accordance with the articles of association and in consultation with the other CEO.
• Organisation: approximately 240 support staff; community of members and production units in various sectors.
• Term: 4 years, renewable

Your main responsibilities

• Strategic direction & execution: translate the strategy approved by the Board of Directors into operational plans, set priorities, allocate resources, make decisions, and report on progress.
• Quality of services & member experience: define and approve the service offering; support the directorates to ensure a quality that meets the promise of the shared enterprise.
• Team management: fulfill the roles of strategic coordinator, operational coordinator, role allocator, coach, facilitator, and mediator; structure the organization (roles, customs, indicators) and strengthen the management of the directorate teams.
• Economic performance & management: ensure sustainability (cash flow, investment arbitration, process efficiency), taking into account resources on the one hand and social purpose on the other.
• Transformation in terms of management & cooperative culture: align values and practices, stimulate transformation in consultation with the management team, organize governance (workload, feedback), guide the directorates.
• Social dialogue & well-being: represent the employer in the works council (OR) and the committee for prevention and protection at work (CPBW).
• Stakeholders, advocacy & spokesperson: maintain relationships in the social economy, with government agencies and partners; represent Smart.

Specific objectives

• Consolidated economic balance and resilience
• Measurable progress in engagement and well-being, both for active partners and support staff
• Development of the service offering (expansion/quality)
• Increased visibility and recognition of Smart among members and partners
• Strengthened member participation (governance/use)

Profile

Experience

• Experience as general or operational management in Belgium (management committee)
• Economic steering and organizational management
• Steering transformations (governance & operational)
• Anchoring in the social economy or impactful sectors (practical experience and social commitment)
• Structuring of organizations, processes, management of large-scale projects & strengthening of middle management
• Strong exposure to digitalization issues
• Practice of shared leadership/ co-management
• Practice of social dialogue (CPBW, OR)
• Advocacy/ representation

Competencies (know-how)

• Organizational governance (Board of Directors & management committee)
• Management and reading of balance sheets and other income statements
• Familiarity with public regulations
• Strategic thinking
• Courageous leadership
• Results-orientation (balance between mission and economy)
• Change management
• Communication
• Openness to diversity
• Political insight

Social skills

• Deep-rooted values (solidarity, equality, emancipation)
• Active listening, subsidiarity and co-construction
• Modesty, exemplary behavior, feedback culture and mediation

Languages

• French
• Dutch
• Proficiency in English

Distinguishing assets

• Experience as a duo in general management
• Steering digital projects
• Experience in civil society and as an advocate Desired profile

Experience

• General or operational management experience in Belgium (Executive Committee).
• Economic steering and organizational management.
• Steering transformations (Governance & Operational).
• Anchoring in the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) or impact sectors (practical experience and social commitment).
• Structuring of organizations, processes, management of large-scale projects & strengthening of middle management.
• Strong exposure to digitalization issues.
• Practice of shared leadership / co-management.
• Practice of dialogue & social climate (CPBW, OR, Prevention)
• Advocacy/representation.

Competencies (Skills)

• Organizational governance (Board of Directors & Executive Committee)
• Management, Balance Sheet reading and other income statements.
• Comfort with the public ecosystem and other regulators.
• Strategic thinking
• Leadership courage
• Results-orientation (balanced mission + economy).
• Change management
• Communication
• Openness to diversity
• Political insight

Behavior

• Deep-rooted values (solidarity, equality, emancipation)
• Active listening, subsidiarity and co-construction.
• Modesty, exemplary behavior, feedback culture and mediation.
• Balanced results-orientation (mission + economy).

Languages

French

DutchProficiency in English

Distinguishing assets

• Experience as a duo in general management.
• Steering digital projects.
• Associative/activist background.

Work Environment & Conditions

• Employee or self-employed status.

• Regardless of the candidate's status, the organization does not offer a company car.

Diversity & inclusion

Smart is committed to diversity and encourages all qualified individuals to apply, regardless of their origin, skin color, gender, age, sexual orientation, philosophical beliefs, disability, etc.

If you require an accommodation, regardless of your disability, either for the selection phase for this position or afterwards, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Application Process

• After an initial contact with our research assistants, interested and selected candidates will meet Sébastien Cobut (Partner Connected Minds). This interview will be supported by psychometric testing.

• After being presented to Smart Coop, shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by the established selection committee.

• Interview dates with the selection committee will be confirmed in the coming weeks (They will take place between 03/11 and 15/11).

• A final meeting with the OA will conclude the procedure