Head of Taxation And Customs

Overview

Tata Steel UK believes strength comes from both our products and our people. As we transform for a sustainable future, our Finance team plays a pivotal role in driving change, strengthening governance, and ensuring resilience in an evolving world.

Job Title: Head of Tax & Customs

Department: Finance

Location: Port Talbot (SA13) HYBRID WORKING

Salary: Senior Leader role offering a competitive salary along with a company car/allowance, an attractive pension scheme and other benefits

Closing Date: Tuesday 21 July 2026

The role

We are looking for an experienced Head of Taxation & Customs to lead our UK tax function at a pivotal time for the business and the industry. Reporting directly to the Group Finance Director, this is a senior leadership role where you will shape tax strategy, optimise cash performance, and ensure full compliance across a complex and evolving landscape. You will manage a team of 10 with 4 direct reports.

Both Tata Steel UK and its Finance function are undergoing a period of change with a multi-billion investment in a new Electric Arc Furnace at Port Talbot to enable Tata Steel UK's transition to being a low-CO2 steel producer. The Head of Taxation & Customs will be responsible for ensuring all tax aspects of this business transformation are handled appropriately as well as managing key tax change projects, including automation and process optimisation of customs and VAT activities.

The purpose of the role is to optimise the tax position of Tata Steel UK and to comply with statutory tax legislation requirements for direct and indirect taxation. You will lead the UK Tax team to provide coordinated direct and indirect tax advice in line with commercial objectives to ensure that in all major business decisions tax consequences have been fully taken into account.

What you'll do Lead & Develop

• Lead, coach, and inspire a team of tax specialists, ensuring high-quality delivery of all tax activities
• Build a future-ready tax function aligned with business objectives and evolving regulatory demands
• Take full accountability for all internal and external tax outputs

Drive Strategy & Risk Management

• Define and implement the UK tax strategy while actively managing the Group's tax risk profile
• Maintain strong relationships with HMRC, ensuring transparency and a low-risk status
• Lead governance frameworks including SAO and tax risk management processes

Own Compliance & Reporting

• Oversee all UK tax filings, payments, and forecasting across:
  • Corporation Tax
  • VAT & Customs
  • Employment & Environmental Taxes
• Ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficiency across all processes

Provide Commercial Insight

• Partner with senior stakeholders to ensure tax considerations are embedded in key business decisions
• Advise on complex UK and international transactions, including:
  • Cross-border structuring & compliance
  • Transfer pricing & OECD/BEPS requirements
  • M&A, restructuring, and expansion activities

Optimise Value

• Identify opportunities to improve cash flow and tax efficiency
• Maximise benefits from tax credits (e.g. RDEC) and available tax attributes
• Reduce reliance on external advisors through strong in-house capability

Lead Transformation

• Drive tax input into major business transformation initiatives
• Oversee implementation of digital tax systems and compliance with Making Tax Digital requirements
• Support the business in navigating evolving customs complexities

What you'll need

• Extensive experience in tax, with strong technical expertise and a broad understanding of both indirect and direct tax
• Deep understanding of UK tax legislation and international tax frameworks
• Demonstrated ability to drive strategic tax outcomes through expert stakeholder engagement
• Visionary approach to tax technology and digital transformation
• Strong leadership experience managing and developing high-performing teams
• Agility in navigating complex regulatory shifts
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Chartered Accountant (ICAEW) or Chartered Tax Adviser qualification
• Professional membership at an appropriate level

Ready to make a difference?

For more information or for an informal discussion please contact:

Please note: You may use AI tools to help prepare your application. However, all information must be accurate and based on your own experience. We value genuine, honest responses that reflect who you are.

What we can offer you

Tata Steel UK offers a significant benefits package. For this role, you will benefit from:

• A market competitive salary
• Car or Car allowance
• 35 days holidays per annum
• Annual Pay Review
• Bonus Scheme - subject to business performance
• Private Healthcare Scheme (family cover)
• Defined contribution pension scheme (10% employer contribution / 6% employee contribution)

We also offer an extensive list of lifestyle benefits including free onsite parking at all sites, an employee assistance programme, and an employee discount scheme with various partners.

Why us?

Tata Steel is among the world's top steel producers. The group has an annual crude steel capacity of more than 33 million tonnes with around 80,000 employees across four continents. We are part of the Tata Group, with businesses in the UK including Tata Steel, Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley Tea. Sustainability is at the heart of what we do, and we are dedicated to managing our operations responsibly and to continuously improving our performance.

Learn more

To learn more about who we are and what we can offer future employees, please watch the video: Tata Steel - A place you can thrive - YouTube