Job Opening: Director of The British Omani Society

Job Title: Director
Organisation: The British Omani Society Location: Mayfair, London (with flexibility for some hybrid working)
Hours: Full time, 37 hours/week (Monday–Friday), with occasional early mornings or evenings (time off in lieu provided)
Salary: £50,000–£55,000 per annum, reviewed annually
Start Date: November 2025

About the British Omani Society

The British Omani Society (BOS) is a London-based charity and membership organisation that promotes and strengthens the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Sultanate of Oman through educational, cultural and confluence activities. We act as a hub for dialogue, cross-cultural education and friendship, bringing together key stakeholders from both countries to strengthen bilateral ties and empower the next generation to shape a vibrant shared future between Oman and the UK.

We are seeking a new Director who is a dynamic self starter able to lead a small team in delivering the Society’s mission and running the very varied day to day work. The role supports the Trustees in delivering the Society’ mission, and expanding our programme of events, partnerships and engagement.

About the Role

The Director is the most senior operational role at the Society and is responsible for ensuring the smooth and effective functioning of all aspects of our work. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Director will lead a small team, manage senior stakeholder relationships, and support the Society’ charitable aims through high-quality programme delivery, strategic leadership and efficient administration.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring a people person with a proactive approach, exceptional organisational skills, cultural sensitivity and a passion for Oman-UK relations. The role involves regular engagement with the Omani embassy in London and the British Embassy in Muscat as well as managing events with very senior guests from royalty, ministers and high profile individuals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Organisational Development

Collaborate closely with the Board of Trustees to develop and implement the Society’ strategic direction.
Proactively recommend new initiatives, partnerships or areas of focus aligned with our mission.
Ensure delivery of strategic objectives through efficient planning and monitoring of performance.

2. Programme Delivery & Events

Lead the planning and execution of a diverse calendar of events—from monthly members talks to high-profile flagship events and bilateral delegations.
Provide hands-on support and guidance to the Events and Programming Assistant/Intern, ensuring logistical planning, high-quality delivery and alignment with strategic goals.
Oversee new programming initiatives and special projects, including joint ventures with partners in Oman and the UK.

3. Stakeholder Engagement & External Relations

Build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including:

➢ The Embassy of Oman in London

➢ The British Embassy in Muscat

➢ UK Government departments (incl. FCDO)

➢ Omani Ministries

➢ Related organisations in Oman including our Oman based counterpart - the Omani British Society (OBS), and British Business Forum (BBF)

Represent the Society in external meetings, diplomatic engagements and events as appropriate.
Serve as an ambassador for the Society’ work and values.

4. Governance, Reporting & Compliance

Serve as the principal liaison between the staff team and the Board of Trustees.
Prepare regular Director’ reports and programming updates; and ensure timely circulation of board papers in preparation for quarterly Trustees Meetings.
Support the Company Secretary in ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory obligations (including data protection).
Support the Grants Committee with grants administration and impact monitoring.

5. Team Leadership & HR

Lead and manage a small team comprised of early career staff and interns and a volunteer network, fostering a supportive, positive and high-performing culture.
Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training and performance management processes.
Run weekly team meetings and 1:1s; identify staff development opportunities and promote continuous learning.

6. Financial Oversight & Income Generation

Work with the Treasurer to set and monitor operational and project budgets, control expenditure, support financial reporting and supervise your team to reconcile invoices and expenses.
Lead efforts to supplement the Society’s core revenue by securing sponsorship and partnerships for major ‘ and ongoing programmes.

7. Operations & Infrastructure

Oversee the day-to-day running of the office, including resource planning, systems development and process improvement.
Ensure smooth IT operations and continuity of service across all platforms (CRM, website, email, etc.).
Provide direct oversight of building management reporting to the Treasurer, including maintenance, safety compliance and tenant relations.

8. Communications & Membership Engagement

Supervise the Marketing Assistant to ensure clear and consistent communications with members and the wider BOS community. Oversee the production of newsletters, annual reports and marketing content.
Ensure professional membership liaison and efficient resolution to any member issues
Contribute to growing and diversifying the membership base through targeted outreach and engagement campaigns.

9. Risk Management

Proactively identify and mitigate risks to the organisation- financial, reputational, operational and strategic.
Work alongside the Risk Committee to ensure all safeguarding and security protocols are in place and followed.

Person Specification

Essential

Senior leadership or management experience, ideally in a non-profit or charitable organisation with a proven track record of delivering with a small team.
Demonstrable experience in stakeholder engagement, event/programme delivery and team leadership.
Strong connection to or experience working in Oman or the wider Gulf/Middle East region.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
High level of integrity, cultural sensitivity and diplomatic acumen.

Desirable

Knowledge of UK-Oman relations and/or Arabic language skills.
Fundraising, sponsorship or donor engagement experience.
Experience working with Boards of Trustees or similar governance structures.
Awareness of charity sector regulations in the UK.

Why Join the British Omani Society?

This is a unique opportunity to lead a longstanding and respected organisation at the heart of UK-Oman relations. You’ be working with a passionate and supportive community, playing a key role in strengthening bilateral ties, and shaping the future direction of an influential organisation.

How to Apply

To apply, please email your CV and a short cover letter (including relevant work examples) to rsvp@britishomani.org by 23:59 on 10 October 2025. Please ensure the subject line of your email reads "Application BOS Director"

First Round Interviews will take place: w/c 13 October

Please note this role will be subject to a six month probationary period. All applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor work visas for this role.

We will interview on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.