UK Head of Tax

This role would probably suit someone looking to step into a Head of Tax role for the first time, rather than a seasoned Tax Director or Head of Tax.

This is a Group Head of Tax role with one of the leading media groups in London. Reporting to the FD and overseeing a team of two tax specialists, the successful candidate can expect to be quite "hands on" in managing the global tax affairs across the group. This will include assuming responsibility for the group's tax compliance obligations across all the jurisdictions in which it operates, managing the Group's global tax risks and adherence to tax strategy and policy, and providing tax advice to the Group around large projects and transactions. The focus of the group is predominantly UK based, but they have two notable overseas growth markets and sell their products digitally across the globe.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

• Oversight of both the UK corporation tax compliance and UK indirect tax compliance processes with support from the Senior VAT Manager and Assistant Tax Manager, reviewing the returns to ensure that they are submitted on a timely and accurate basis.
• Working with external providers to ensure the smooth running of the overseas compliance for both direct and indirect taxes.
• Forecasting the UK group's corporation tax payment position
• Managing the group's relationships with external advisors and overseas tax authorities in the jurisdictions they operate, responding to tax audits and enquiries in a timely manner.
• Ensuring the Group complies with withholding tax obligations and oversight of the annual R&D tax claim
• Pro-actively seeking out opportunities to minimise tax risk through process improvement and ensuring that appropriate systems, processes and and controls to ensure the group complies with its obligations.
• Ensuring the Group complies with local Transfer Pricing obligations and maintains strong documentation
• Advising on the tax implications of new investments

This role would probably suit a Senior Manager or Group Tax Manager looking to step into a Head of Tax role for the first time, rather than a seasoned Tax Director or Head of Tax. Whilst they have full responsibility for the group's global tax position and involvement in strategy and planning work, the Group Head of Tax will also be required to dig into the finance systems and help provide the data required by the external advisors from a compliance perspective. They will need the ability to develop and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders including other departments, advisors and tax authorities. They will have a keen eye for detail, looking for opportunities for process improvement, tax savings, deferrals and risk mitigation across all taxes.

Wish list:

• Strong commerical tax knowledge, with a focus on direct tax and ideally an appreciation of indirect taxes
• Awareness of international taxes including transfer pricing.
• Experience of working in-house preferably in a standalone tax role or in a larger/medium sized organisation
• Qualified accountant or tax professional - ACA, ACCA, ATT, CTA

Morgan McKinley is acting as an Employment Agency and references to pay rates are indicative.