Job Description

Job title

Head of Tax

Grade

Stream

Finance

Function

Finance Control & Tax

Location

Oman – Muscat

Budget control

*OPEX and/or CAPEX and/or Revenue amount as relevant*

Reporting to

VP Finance Control & Tax

Direct Reports

3

Job purpose

Lead the planning, implementation and supervision of Tax activities under VP finance control & tax scope’s through: (1) Lead OQ Corporate Tax Function, (2) Overseeing OQ Corporate entities’ tax strategy and compliance, including managing tax planning, ensuring accurate filings, and minimizing tax liability (3) Lead and provide coaching and mentoring to a diverse group of tax employees and be primary communication link between the tax function and the business functions as it relates to tax, (4) Establishing the directions, project plans, and resource requirements to improve and manage the tax results, while balancing stakeholder interests, tax compliance and tax accounting impacts, transfer pricing, audit risks, foreign currency issues,

The position will act in accordance with the Group’s Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, as well as, policies, guidelines and international standards, supported by an IT Technology platform, HSE standards, Omani’s government & other legal justifications, and best international practices in consonance with national objectives.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

Tax strategy, governance and leadership

• Develop and implement the Group’s global tax strategy aligned with business objectives, capital allocation priorities and shareholder expectations.
• Establish, maintain and continuously enhance Group-wide tax governance frameworks, policies, controls and procedures to ensure robust tax risk management, compliance and minimize tax risks and liabilities.
• Serve as the principal tax advisor to the CFO, Executive Management, BARC and the Board on all tax-related matters impacting the Group.
• Define tax risk appetite and establish mechanisms for identifying measuring, monitoring and mitigating tax risks across all jurisdictions.
• Ensure effective tax governance over operating companies, international subsidiaries, branches, joint ventures and investment holding structures.
• Drive tax awareness and accountability across business functions through training, communication and stakeholder engagement.

Domestic and international tax management

• Lead all direct tax, indirect tax and international tax matters across the Group's global operations and oversee delivery of full range of tax services; liaise, where appropriate, with outside tax consultants and advisors. Such services include:

1. Tax planning strategies
2. Filing of tax returns, extensions, and estimated tax payments
3. Global tax compliance
4. Support and lead tax controversies
5. Manage tax assessments with tax authorities, and oversee defence of company in -tax audits
6. Identifies and leads efforts to pursue tax opportunities and refunds

• Monitor tax legislative developments, emerging regulations and international tax reforms and assess their impact on the Group.
• Oversee compliance with corporate income tax, withholding tax, VAT/GST, customs duties, excise taxes and other applicable tax obligations.
• Ensure tax compliance across all jurisdictions in which the Group operates or holds investments.
• Develop and maintain the Group's international tax operating model to manage cross-border investments and transactions efficiently.
• Provide oversight of permanent establishment exposures, cross-border payment structures and treaty-based tax positions.

International tax structuring and cross-border investments

• Lead tax structuring of international investments, acquisitions, divestments, project developments and financing arrangements.
• Design and optimize holding company structures, investment platforms and SPV arrangements to support commercial objectives while minimizing tax leakage.
• Review and advice on international repatriation strategies including dividends, capital reductions, shareholder loans, royalties, management fees and other treasury-related arrangements.
• Assess and manage tax implications arising from overseas investments, project companies, branches and joint ventures.
• Lead tax due diligence and structuring support for entry into new jurisdictions and international expansion projects.
• Optimize utilization of double tax treaties and tax incentives while ensuring compliance with anti-abuse regulations.

OECD, BEPS and transfer pricing

• Lead Group-wide compliance with OECD BEPS initiatives, Pillar Two global minimum tax requirements, transfer pricing regulations and evolving international tax standards, and also monitor and guide the Group companies on such emerging international tax rules, transfer pricing, and other cross-border tax reforms ensuring consistent compliance and readiness across all jurisdictions.
• Develop, implement and maintain transfer pricing policies for intercompany transactions, services, financing arrangements, guarantees and intellectual property arrangements.
• Ensure preparation and maintenance of transfer pricing documentation including Master Files, Local Files and Country-by-Country Reporting (CbCR), where applicable.
• Assess implications of global tax reforms and ensure readiness of Group entities for compliance requirements.
• Advise management on tax-efficient intercompany funding and operational structures.

Tax planning and value creation

• Identify and implement sustainable tax planning opportunities that enhance shareholder value while maintaining compliance and protecting the Group's reputation.
• Lead initiatives to optimize effective tax rates, cash tax positions and tax cash flow management.
• Drive tax efficiency within capital-intensive projects, upstream, midstream, downstream and international investment operations.
• Identify opportunities for tax incentives, exemptions, credits, refunds and economic zone benefits across jurisdictions.
• Evaluate tax implications of business restructuring, financing arrangements and operational changes.

Mergers, acquisitions and corporate transactions

• Act as the tax lead on mergers, acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, project financings and corporate reorganizations.
• Conduct tax due diligence reviews and identify tax risks, liabilities and opportunities associated with transactions.
• Advise on transaction structuring to optimize post-tax returns and protect the Group from unforeseen tax exposures.
• Support integration and separation projects from a tax perspective.
• Participate in negotiations with investors, financial institutions, partners and advisors on tax matters affecting transactions.
• Support relevant functions in the structuring of shareholder loans and capital injections into assets or projects to ensure optimal tax planning and compliance with applicable regulations.

Treasury, financing and capital structuring

• Provide tax support for financing strategies including shareholder loans, external borrowings, project financing arrangements and capital injections.
• Advise on withholding tax, thin capitalization, interest limitation and hybrid mismatch considerations.
• Support treasury and finance teams in developing tax-efficient funding structures across Group entities.
• Review financing arrangements to ensure compliance with local and international tax regulations

Tax controversy and dispute management

• Lead and manage all interactions with tax authorities directly or indirectly via external tax advisors.
• Direct the Group's response to tax audits, investigations, assessments, enquiries and disputes.
• Develop strategies for managing tax litigation and controversy matters while protecting the Group's interests.
• Oversee engagement with external tax advisors, legal counsel and government stakeholders.
• Manage tax provisioning for uncertain tax positions and exposure assessments.

Tax accounting and reporting

• Oversee tax accounting and reporting under IFRS and applicable accounting standards.
• Ensure accurate recognition and reporting of current and deferred taxes within Group financial statements.
• Review tax disclosures and ensure consistency with regulatory and reporting requirements.
• Support finance teams during internal and external audits.
• Lead implementation of best practices in tax accounting, forecasting and reporting.

Tax technology, digital transformation and data analytics

• Develop and execute the Group's tax technology roadmap.
• Lead implementation of tax digitalization initiatives including e-invoicing, tax engines, ERP integrations, tax data analytics and automated compliance solutions.
• Establish robust tax data governance and reporting capabilities to support global compliance requirements.
• Drive automation and process improvement initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce tax risk.
• Ensure tax processes remain aligned with evolving digital reporting and real-time filing requirements across jurisdictions.

Foreign SPV and legal entity optimization

• Lead strategic review, rationalization and optimization of foreign legal entities/SPVs and minimize tax liabilities.
• Drive restructuring and closure of non-strategic or dormant entities to reduce administrative costs and tax exposures.
• Evaluate holding structures and legal entity footprints to improve operational efficiency and governance.
• Support legal and corporate governance teams in maintaining compliant and efficient structures globally.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain effective relationships with tax authorities, regulators, external auditors, government agencies and industry bodies.
• Partner closely with Finance, Treasury, Legal, Portfolio, Growth teams to ensure tax considerations are embedded within decision-making processes.
• Provide timely and strategic tax advice to Executive Management and Boards on significant transactions and emerging risks

People leadership

• Lead, coach and develop the Group Tax function and build high-performing tax teams.
• Develop succession plans and talent management strategies within the tax organization.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, collaboration and technical excellence.
• Ensure team capabilities remain current with developments in international taxation and regulatory changes.

Performance, planning and reporting

• Establish tax KPIs and performance metrics aligned with Group objectives.
• Monitor departmental performance, budgets and resource utilization.
• Provide regular reports and strategic updates to VP-FC&T, CFO, Executive Committee, BARC and the Board on tax exposures, opportunities, compliance status and major developments.
• Deliver accurate and timely tax forecasts, tax risk assessments and strategic recommendations.

Key interactions

Internal: OQ SAOC Streams/OQ Assets & Subsidiaries, BARC

External: Staffing specialized Contractors, Vendors & Suppliers, Tax Advisors & Consultants, Tax Authorities

Notable Working Conditions. Office environment, intensive computer screen use, sporadic visits to operation site.

Education requirements

• A minimum qualification of a Bachelor’s Degre in accounting or finance
• ACCA / CA / CPA certification is a plus

Language

Excellent knowledge of written, read, and spoken English (required)

Background and experience

Competencies and skills

• Minimum 10-12 years of progressive experience in similar role, in a large oil industry industrial organisation.
• Experience within the Oil & Gas, Energy, Petrochemical, Infrastructure or Natural Resources sectors, including exposure across upstream, midstream and downstream operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading tax functions across multiple jurisdictions with responsibility for direct tax, indirect tax, international tax and transfer pricing matters.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing tax strategies that optimize shareholder value while maintaining full regulatory compliance.
• Experience in supporting major capital projects, project financing structures, international investments, acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures and corporate reorganizations.
• Experience with global holding company structures, foreign SPVs, investment platforms and cross-border financing arrangements.
• Experience dealing with tax authorities, government agencies and external auditors in complex audits, disputes and tax controversy matters.
• Experience leading tax due diligence, transaction structuring and post-acquisition integration activities.
• Experience advising Boards, Audit Committees, Executive Committees and senior management on strategic tax matters.
• Proven experience managing relationships with international tax advisors, legal counsel and regulatory bodies across multiple jurisdictions.
• Continuous professional development in international taxation, transfer pricing and emerging global tax regulations

Soft

• People’s management skills
• Analytical skills
• Planning skills
• Forward thinking
• Excellent business and technical report writing skills
• Solves unique problems with broad impact on the business, requires conceptual and innovative thinking to develop alternatives and recommendations.
• Proactively identifies and solves the more complex problems.
• Communicates complex ideas, anticipates potential objections and persuades others, often at senior levels.
• Demonstrated success in leading and driving solutions involving multiple layers of management, and multiple simultaneous deliverables
• Thrives when facing ambiguity and complexity; willingness to explore multiple solutions to a problem.

Core Technical Competencies

• Expertise in corporate, international and indirect taxation across multiple jurisdictions.
• Strong knowledge of transfer pricing, OECD BEPS initiatives, Pillar Two requirements and global tax reforms.
• Proven experience in tax planning, tax-efficient structuring, cross-border financing arrangements and investment structures.
• Deep understanding of tax governance, tax risk management, tax audits, disputes and regulatory compliance.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS tax accounting, deferred taxation and tax reporting requirements.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and corporate restructuring transactions.
• Expertise in treasury-related tax matters, including shareholder loans, project financing and capital structuring.
• Experience leading tax technology, automation and digital transformation initiatives, including e-invoicing and ERP-based tax solutions.