Wastewater Chain Project Manager

Water is life – and the challenges are growing. From climate change to urbanization, from public health to sustainability: water affects everything. Pressure on the wastewater chain is increasing, and the need to organize it in a smart and future-proof way is greater than ever. With us, you won't be working on the sidelines, but at the heart of today's and tomorrow's social challenges, with an impact on the living environment of millions of people. Join us and make a difference.

Location

Groningen

Number of hours

32-36 hours per week

Salary

Scale 12, Minimum 5134, Maximum 7180

Interested?

You can respond until Sunday, February 8, 2026.

Apply now

Head office of water authority with the text "vacancy"

Are you going to do this?

At the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority, we are working on a major project in the wastewater chain. A new program has been set up for this purpose, which will guide the choices and investments made in the coming years. As a project manager, you will make a direct contribution to this by organizing and managing the projects within this program from start to finish.

We work according to the Integral Project Management model (IPM) to properly weigh interests and identify risks by bringing together different disciplines within a single team. As an IPM project manager, you work closely with the program manager and ensure that your projects are aligned with the program objectives. You set up the IPM team, provide structure, and ensure that each project phase is completed efficiently and professionally. You keep track of progress, risks, finances, and capacity and make adjustments when necessary. At the start of each phase, you organize a Project Start-up or Project Fresh-up so that everyone involved has the same understanding of the assignment.


In your work, you will collaborate with colleagues from strategy, management, maintenance, and communications, as well as external partners such as municipalities and provinces. You will connect technical content, administrative interests, and project management, ensuring that everyone remains on the same page. You monitor the time, budget, and quality frameworks and report periodically on progress and expenditures. You also develop an appropriate market approach, conduct market consultations, and manage contract formation and implementation.


You switch between directors, managers, and subject matter experts, and you know how to convey complex information clearly. You identify bottlenecks in a timely manner and come up with solutions that fit within the program and the broader organisation. In your role, you contribute to the further professionalization of our Planning and Projects department, where we want to work in an increasingly smart and future-oriented way.

With your approach and experience, Health that projects within the wastewater chain are predictable, well-founded, and carried out in a coherent manner. In this way, you help us, as water authority , to be water authority for the challenges of tomorrow.

This is what we ask of you

As a project manager, you manage projects in a focused manner and maintain an overview, even under high pressure. You work from a broad perspective, take responsibility, and are not afraid to make decisions. You navigate administrative environments with ease and know exactly what needs to be discussed at any given moment. You bring energy to your projects with practical and creative solutions. Thanks to your broad perspective and sharp analysis, you quickly see what is going on and keep the team on track.

You also have:

  • Minimum higher professional education (HBO+) or academic level of working and thinking.
  • A completed degree in a relevant field, such as civil engineering, spatial planning, water, or nature.
  • Experience in managing complex, interdisciplinary projects with a high risk of failure.
  • Experience in managing projects using the IPM structure.
  • Experience in an administrative environment.
  • Demonstrable experience in the wastewater chain is desirable.
  • Knowledge of water management and water systems and developments in this field is an advantage.

This is what we offer you

  • A job in a social field.
  • A temporary employment contract for a period of one year, which can be converted to a permanent contract if the employee proves to be suitable.
  • A salary of up to €7,180 (scale 12, reference date January 1, 2026) for a full-time position of 36 hours per week. The exact amount will be determined based on your knowledge and experience.
  • On top of your gross salary, you will receive 21% IKB (individual choice budget). You can have this paid out or use it in another way, for example to purchase extra leave.
  • A pension plan with the ABP pension fund.
  • Excellent opportunities to create a good work-life balance, for example with our work-from-home options.
  • A separate budget for training courses and reimbursement of travel expenses for commuting between home and work or a home working allowance.
  • The location is Groningen. Our office is easily accessible by bicycle, public transport, or car.

Where will you be working?

With over 340 employees, we are a professional, decisive, and innovative water authority. Every day, we contribute to safe living with water. We work to provide clean, healthy, and treated and ensure sufficient water in every season. As a project manager, you will be part of the Planning and Projects team in the Wastewater Chain process. This team consists of approximately 50 employees. This team carries out all projects from our investment budget. This includes Water Safety (including a number of HWBP projects), Water Systems, and the Wastewater Chain.  

Will you be our new Project Manager?
Are you enthusiastic and do you have the required qualities? Send us your motivation letter and CV by February 8, 2026, via the application button. Interviews will take place on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Would you like to know more?

  • Please contact Herman Posthumus, team manager of the Planning and Projects team, on +31 (0)6 22195603.
  • If you come to work for us, you must submit a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG).

Your future department and organisation

About the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority

The Noorderzijlvest Water Authority is located in a unique area where land subsidence caused by natural gas extraction and earthquakes significantly affects water management. The consequences of these developments, as well as climate change, are affecting the (waste) water system. Rising sea levels, more frequent and longer periods of heavy rain, interspersed with prolonged drought, but also challenges in the field of sustainability and new (problematic) substances: these are problems that require robust solutions. We want our (waste)water system to function as naturally as possible and to be climate-proof, resilient, and healthy in the long term. This requires us to take appropriate and affordable measures in a society that wants to discuss and influence these issues.

To water authority manage the challenges facing our water authority , we are implementing organisation measures to improve our ability to work in a forward-looking and integrated manner. We believe this will provide a solid foundation for strategic thinking, enabling us to translate our plans into our daily work and carry out our tasks as efficiently as possible. This is becoming increasingly important in a changing society that demands a lot from us.

Questions about the procedure for this vacancy?

Please contact Eilana Maring, Recruitment and Selection Advisor, at 050 304 89 11 or werven@noorderzijlvest.nl.

Are you enthusiastic? Apply now!

Fill out the application form and we will contact you as soon as possible. Apply now