We are optimists

We believe in the problem-solving power of designers and offer them opportunities, support, publicity and a platform. By showing how designers around the world are shaping a positive future, we strengthen their position and relevance far beyond the Netherlands. We do this by organising Dutch Design Week (DDW), Coalitions, Dutch Design Awards, Co-Labs and PONT. Our organisation, Dutch Design Foundation (DDF), is a non-profit foundation with a managing director and a Supervisory Board.

Participants Manager – Dutch Design Week

Work location: at the office in Eindhoven, with the possibility to work from home on average one day per week during quieter periods.
Scope: on average 24 hours per week, increasing from the summer onwards.
Fixed-term contract, with the intention to move towards a permanent position. Salary in line with the market.
Start date: as soon as possible, no later than 1 March 2026.

Working at Dutch Design Foundation

Dutch Design Foundation has a flat organisational structure in which transparency about processes and results is key. The team consists of a core group of permanent staff surrounded by a flexible layer. In the run-up to the annual Dutch Design Week event, the team temporarily grows from around 25 to approximately 60 people. There is a warm and informal atmosphere in which we continuously reflect on our internal processes as a team, using constructive feedback.

Dutch Design Foundation sees it as its mission to show how designers worldwide shape a positive future for everyone, and to strengthen the position and significance of Dutch designers in that context.

Job description

As Participants Manager DDW you are part of the Programme Team (PT) of Dutch Design Week. The Programme Team is led by the Creative and Operational leadership of Dutch Design Week. In addition to you, the PT consists of Programme & Community Managers (PCMs) and a Location Manager. As Participants Manager you have a central role within the Programme Team. It is your task to ensure that the process from registration to participation in DDW runs as smoothly as possible. You monitor deadlines and oversee all processes within the PT from a helicopter view.

You work closely with your colleagues in the team, as well as with colleagues from ICT to continuously improve the registration process via our CRM system Salesforce. You also work closely with the Project Management & Realisation, Marketing & Communication and Design Tours departments on various elements of DDW, such as the map and the Design Routes.

For DDW participants you are the first point of contact regarding the process of their participation in DDW. You answer their questions by phone and email and support them throughout the participation process. You also use this knowledge and expertise to provide both requested and proactive advice on optimising the registration process.

Responsibilities

  • Proactively managing and improving the registration and participation process for DDW participants.
  • Acting as the main point of contact within DDF regarding the DDW programme and participants, in close collaboration with the Programme & Community Managers.
  • Optimising the participant experience by working closely with the PCMs and the Location Manager.
  • Helping to shape the participation process “Call for Entries”.
  • Handling, guiding and processing incoming questions from (potential) participants by phone and email.
  • Providing administrative support to the Programme Team in processing and compiling project overviews.
  • Recording and maintaining data in the Salesforce CRM system.
  • Co-responsible for compiling the DDW map and other practical tasks during DDW, such as drawing up schedules and handing out participant packages.
  • Checking outgoing quotations to DDW participants.

Who are you?

  • You are motivated to contribute to a creative organisation with an idealistic mission.
  • You are highly organised, enjoy working collaboratively, and are service-oriented, accurate and engaged.
  • You have an affinity with the design field.
  • You are administratively skilled and have good knowledge of Microsoft Office.
  • You have knowledge and experience with CRM systems (at DDF we use Salesforce).
  • You are an effective communicator at different levels.
  • You can express yourself excellently in both spoken and written Dutch and English.
  • You are a natural connector, curious by nature and strongly focused on collaboration.
  • You preferably live in the Eindhoven region.

Dutch Design Foundation offers

  • A challenging position within a non-profit organisation committed to a better and more beautiful world through good design.
  • A dynamic role within a team operating at the absolute top level of international design events with DDW.
  • A friendly and committed team.
  • Front row insight into the most current developments within the design field.
  • Good primary employment conditions, with a healthy work–life balance and room to tailor arrangements to your individual situation, for example the possibility to work partly from home.

Diversity and inclusion

Dutch Design Foundation endorses the Code Cultural Governance, the Fair Practice Code and the Code Diversity & Inclusion. We are committed to being an inclusive organisation in which equality is central to how we work together. Everyone is welcome to apply to Dutch Design Foundation. The selection committee consists of a diverse group of people to offer our applicants a warm welcome.

Interested?

If so, we warmly invite you to send your CV and motivation letter by Monday 12 January 2026 at the latest to: applications@dutchdesignfoundation.com.

The first introductory interviews will be scheduled for Monday 19 January 2026, with any second-round interviews taking place on Thursday 22 January 2026.

Any questions? Then please contact Antoinette Klawer via antoinette@dutchdesignfoundation.com