Governance, Risk and Compliance Lead

SOHAR Port and Freezone; Muscat; On-site; OMR 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

SOHAR Port and Freezone in Oman seeks a senior Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) leader to design, implement, and continuously enhance the organization's GRC framework in line with laws, regulations, and international best practices.

You will oversee governance structures, risk management programs, and compliance initiatives, provide strategic guidance to executives, and coordinate with Internal Audit, Regulators, and business partners.

Qualifications

• 8 to 10 years of relevant experience in risk management, compliance, audit, or a related field.
• Fluency in Arabic and English (oral and written).
• Knowledge of corporate governance principles and their application.
• Familiarity with risk management software and tools.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify and evaluate risks.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Leadership abilities to influence and collaborate across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the organization’s GRC framework and governance documentation.
• Provide oversight of governance structures, authorities, and reporting mechanisms.
• Monitor and improve risk management programs and risk controls.
• Oversee compliance programs and respond to regulatory developments.
• Advise management on governance, risk, and compliance matters and report to executives.
• Coordinate with Internal Audit, Regulators, and other assurance providers.

Skills

Governance

Risk management

Compliance

Audit

Leadership

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Strategic thinking

Regulatory affairs

Decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or Law

Tools

Risk management software

Job description

Muscat, Sultanate of Oman | Posted on 09/01/2026

SOHAR Port and Freezone is a deep-sea Port and Freezone in the Sultanate of Oman, managed by SOHAR Industrial Port Company (SIPC), a 50:50 joint venture between the Port of Rotterdam and the Sultanate of Oman.

Job Description

CorporateGovernance

• Lead the development, implementation, andcontinuous enhancement of the organization's Governance, Risk and Compliance(GRC) framework in alignment with applicable laws, regulations, OIA governancerequirements, and international best practices.
• Provide oversight of the organization'sgovernance framework and governance enhancement initiatives to ensure effectivegovernance practices across the organization.
• Oversee the establishment and maintenance ofgovernance structures, registers, delegated authorities, and governancedocumentation.
• Lead the review and enhancement ofgovernance policies, frameworks, procedures, and guidelines to ensure continuedalignment with business objectives and regulatory expectations.
• Monitor the effectiveness of governancepractices and provide recommendations to Executive Management on governanceimprovements.
• Provide governance reporting and strategicadvice to Executive Management and relevant governance committees.
• Oversee Board and Management Committeegovernance arrangements, including governance structures, authorities, andreporting mechanisms.
• Provide oversight of risk assessmentactivities to identify strategic, operational, financial, compliance, andreputational risks and support the development of appropriate mitigationstrategies.
• Lead the development and enhancement of riskmanagement policies, procedures, and control frameworks across theorganization.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness ofrisk management programs and recommend improvements where necessary.
• Oversee the organization's risk managementand risk control processes to ensure alignment with business objectives andregulatory requirements.
• Ensure effective coordination with relevantfunctions across the organization to support the implementation of riskmanagement practices and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Provide guidance and recommendations tomanagement on risk exposures, mitigation measures, and emerging risk trends.
• Oversee the development of risk-based auditplans in collaboration with Internal Audit and relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor the implementation of correctiveactions arising from risk assessments, audits, reviews, and other assuranceactivities.
• Contribute to the continuous enhancement ofrisk management practices, methodologies, and frameworks in response toemerging risks, regulatory developments, and industry trends.
• Lead the development and implementation ofthird-party risk management and due diligence frameworks.
• Provide oversight of risk-based duediligence, sanctions screening, and integrity assessments relating to tenants,investors, suppliers, service providers, vessels, and other business partners.
• Oversee third-party risk classification,monitoring, escalation, and ongoing review processes.
• Advise management on compliance, sanctions,regulatory, integrity, and reputational risks associated with third parties andrecommend appropriate mitigation measures.
• Oversee the effectiveness of third-partyrisk monitoring and due diligence processes and drive continuous improvementinitiatives.

ComplianceManagement

• Lead the development and enhancement of theorganization's compliance framework, policies, procedures, and monitoringmechanisms.
• Provide oversight of compliance programs toensure adherence to applicable laws, regulations, internal policies, andethical standards.
• Monitor regulatory developments and advisemanagement on emerging compliance obligations and their impact on theorganization.
• Provide strategic guidance on ethics,anti-corruption, data privacy, information security, and regulatory compliancematters.
• Oversee the management of complianceincidents, investigations, and remediation activities and ensure appropriatecorrective actions are implemented.
• Act as a trusted advisor to ExecutiveManagement on governance, risk, compliance, and ethical conduct matters.
• Maintain effective engagement with InternalAudit, External Auditors, Regulators, and other assurance providers ongovernance, risk, and compliance matters.

Budgets and Plans:

• Monitor the financialperformance of a given area of activity versus budgets and ensure allactivities are carried out in line with the approved guidelines while promptlyreporting on any variances to management.

Corporate Strategy & Strategy Formulation,Implementation and Planning

• Formulate/provideinput on governance, risk, compliance, and ethical conduct matters andlead their implementation in line with the Organization’s vision, mission andcorporate objectives.
• Lead thedevelopment, enhancement, and implementation of governance, risk, compliance,and due diligence policies, systems, procedures, and frameworks to ensurecompliance with applicable legislative, regulatory, and organizationalrequirements while delivering effective and value-added services.
• Drive theidentification and implementation of opportunities for continuous improvementand sustainability of governance, risk, compliance, systems, processes, andpractices, taking into account industry best practices, operationaleffectiveness, and organizational objectives.
• Ensurecompliance with all relevant quality, health, safety, and environmentalpolicies, procedures, and controls within the area of responsibility to supportemployee safety, regulatory compliance, service excellence, and responsibleenvironmental practices.

Statement and Reports

• Oversee the preparation and submission ofgovernance, risk, compliance, and departmental reports to ensure timely,accurate, and meaningful reporting in accordance with o rganizationalrequirements, policies, and standards.
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’sdegree in Business Administration, Finance, Law, or a relevant discipline.
• CertifiedRisk and Compliance Management Professional (CRCMP) or similar certification ishighly desirable.

Minimum Experience & Knowledge & Skills

• 8 to 10 years of relevant experience in riskmanagement, compliance, audit, or a related field.
• Proven experience in risk management, compliance, orregulatory affairs.
• Demonstrated experience in developing andimplementing risk management and compliance frameworks.
• Experience in conducting risk assessments, audits,and investigations.
• Understanding of corporate governance principles andtheir application.
• Knowledge of emerging risk trends and theirpotential impact on the organization.
• Familiarity with risk management software and tools.
• Good analytical skills with the ability to identifyand evaluate potential risks and compliance issues.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal andwritten, with the ability to effectively convey complex information to diverseaudiences.
• Leadership abilities, including the capability toinfluence and collaborate with stakeholders across the organization.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to align riskmanagement and compliance efforts with business objectives.
• Attention to detail and the ability to work underpressure to meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in risk assessment techniques and riskmitigation strategies.
• Adaptability and flexibility to navigate changingregulatory environments and business conditions.
• Fluency in Arabic and English both oral and written