Description

The opportunity
A new financial markets infrastructure venture is being established in Oman, backed by prominent institutional investors and operating under an international common law framework. This is a build-stage organisation growing to approximately fifty people over its first two years, and it needs someone to build and run the entire corporate infrastructure from the ground up.

We are hiring a Head of Corporate Services to own premises, HR, finance back-office, corporate IT, travel, and governance administration as a single integrated function. This is not a supervisory role over a team of specialists. It is a working post: the person we are looking for remains personally involved in the work, makes the decisions, and is accountable for the outcomes regardless of whether they are delivered through direct staff or outsourced providers.

What the role covers

• Sourcing, negotiating, and managing the company's office lease and fit-out; ongoing facilities management and physical security
• Payroll, benefits, leave, expense systems, and visa and immigration administration for all staff and dependants
• Drafting and enforcing the employee handbook and HR policies; compliance with Omani Labour Law and Omanisation requirements
• Selecting and managing external accountants, auditors, and tax advisors; bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management; establishing and managing banking relationships
• Corporate IT: end-user devices, M365 administration, identity management, IT support, and cybersecurity for corporate systems
• Owning the corporate travel policy; managing the travel agency and duty-of-care arrangements for travelling staff
• Maintaining statutory records and registers; coordinating board and committee meetings; filing statutory returns; managing the corporate insurance programme
• Maintaining the master vendor and contract register; negotiating, renewing, and terminating corporate service contracts

Requirements

Who we are looking for
At least 10 years in corporate services, operations, or general management roles, with at least five years at senior level. A demonstrable track record of leading a small, multi-disciplinary corporate function, not solely managing large departments staffed by specialists. Proven experience either establishing a regulated financial entity in Oman or the GCC, or leading the corporate function of an existing regulated entity of comparable size. Working knowledge of Omani Labour Law, immigration procedures, and corporate regulations. Demonstrated capability across multiple disciplines concurrently: premises, HR, finance, IT, and governance. Fluent in Arabic and English, written and spoken.

Experience in a financial market infrastructure, bank, or other regulated financial services entity is an advantage. So is familiarity with the IFC Oman regulatory framework and prior experience in a start-up or greenfield environment.

What this is

On day one, the office does not exist, the payroll has not been run, the banking has not been established, and the IT has not been deployed. Within twelve months, all of it needs to be running to the standard of an international regulated institution. The person who takes this role will have built it. If that is the kind of challenge you are looking for, and you have the breadth of experience to deliver it, this is worth a conversation.