OPERATIONS AND COMPLIANCE DIRECTOR

Position Overview

Zener Maritime Solutions seeks an experienced Operations and Compliance Leader to design, implement, and oversee integrated operations and compliance programmes across our five global offices spanning Singapore, Mumbai, Rotterdam, Ningbo, and Houston. This is a senior executive role reporting to the Board, responsible for establishing governance frameworks that enable safe, compliant, and operationally excellent delivery across our maritime and offshore oil and gas operations.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

• Lead operations and compliance functions across all five global offices with responsibility for multi-jurisdictional regulatory and governance frameworks
• Design and execute enterprise-wide ethics, compliance, and governance programmes aligned with industry best practices
• Provide board-level reporting on governance, risk, and compliance matters with strategic recommendations
• Support strategic initiatives including partnerships, business expansion, and new market entry

Regulatory and Risk Management

• Establish and oversee risk management and internal control systems across all operational segments
• Develop compliance strategies that address regulatory requirements in key operating jurisdictions
• Lead risk assessments and mitigation strategies specific to offshore oil and gas operations
• Ensure robust internal controls and governance across the organization

Asset Integrity and Technical Operations

• Oversee management of non-destructive testing (NDT) campaigns and asset integrity programmes across offshore installations
• Lead asset integrity solutions and integrity management systems across the operational portfolio
• Establish protocols and compliance frameworks for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and drone operations across all global offices
• Ensure operational excellence in offshore asset structure management and maintenance strategies
• Drive standardized approaches to asset inspection, monitoring, and integrity assurance

Operations Excellence

• Oversee operational performance across dispersed global workforce and maritime assets
• Drive organizational alignment on operational standards, safety, and quality metrics
• Lead sourcing and procurement strategies including management of complex EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) and major projects with tight deadlines
• Manage relationships with service providers, contractors, and technology partners
• Establish operational KPIs and drive continuous improvement across all business segments

Technology and Innovation

• Champion the integration of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies across the entire EPC process, NDT campaigns, and asset integrity management
• Develop governance frameworks for AI deployment in operations, compliance monitoring, risk management, and asset optimization
• Lead digital transformation initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and reduce organizational risk
• Establish protocols for managing AI-related risks, data governance, and algorithmic transparency across operations
• Evaluate and implement technology solutions including drone and UAV systems, AI-enabled inspection tools, and asset monitoring platforms that improve decision-making and operational outcomes

Required Qualifications and Experience

Core Experience

• Minimum 15 years in senior operations and compliance roles within maritime, offshore oil and gas, manufacturing and technology industry
• Proven track record in multi-jurisdictional governance and executive-level risk management
• Deep operational experience in offshore oil and gas including deepwater, subsea, or integrated operations
• Board-level exposure with demonstrated ability to communicate complex governance and risk matters to senior stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience working across China, South American, North America, and Asia oil and gas markets

Technical Operations Experience

• Extensive experience managing non-destructive testing (NDT) campaigns and programmes at scale
• Proven expertise in asset integrity solutions and integrity management systems for offshore installations
• Knowledge of offshore asset structures, inspection methodologies, and maintenance protocols
• Experience establishing compliance and operational frameworks for UAV and drone operations
• Familiarity with emerging inspection and monitoring technologies in the offshore sector

Compliance and Governance

• Strong background in designing and implementing enterprise compliance and governance programmes
• Experience managing organizational risk across multiple jurisdictions and business units
• Understanding of regulatory landscapes affecting energy and maritime sectors
• Knowledge of sanctions, anti-corruption, and international trade compliance

Operations and Project Management

• Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects with tight deadlines and global teams
• Expertise in sourcing, procurement, and vendor management at scale
• Operational knowledge of EPC project delivery in offshore or maritime context
• Demonstrated ability to establish operational standards and drive organizational performance

Technology and AI Governance

• Experience with AI technology implementation and risk governance, preferably in an IT, technology, or innovation-focused company
• Understanding of how AI and automation can transform EPC workflows, asset management, NDT analysis, and operational decision-making
• Ability to assess emerging technologies and their strategic application to business operations
• Experience developing governance frameworks for technology adoption and data management

Desired Qualities

• Strategic thinker with a futuristic outlook on digital transformation and emerging technologies in offshore operations
• Effective leader and change agent who can build high-performing teams across global operations
• Strong communicator comfortable presenting to Board and C-suite executives
• Collaborative approach to working across business units and geographies
• Understanding of evolving regulatory and operational requirements in emerging and mature offshore markets