Group Tax Manager 6 Months Contract

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Global Tax / International Tax Lead to take ownership of key elements of the Group's tax strategy, reporting, compliance, and risk management agenda. The role will play a critical part in leading the Group's Pillar II reporting and implementation, developing tax strategies that support the Group's business objectives, and providing expert tax advice on complex international transactions.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical tax expertise with commercial awareness and the ability to work effectively across finance, legal, business, and external advisory teams. The role requires a proactive, solutions-oriented individual who can manage complex projects, identify opportunities to optimize the Group's tax position, and ensure compliance with evolving local and international tax requirements.

Requirements

• Lead the development and implementation of the Group's global tax strategy, with a particular focus on optimizing the Group's effective tax rate while maintaining full compliance with applicable tax laws and regulations.
• Identify and evaluate tax planning opportunities across jurisdictions and assess their potential financial and commercial impact.
• Partner with Finance, Legal, Treasury, M&A, and other business stakeholders to ensure tax considerations are appropriately incorporated into strategic and operational decision-making.
• Provide practical, commercially focused tax advice that supports the Group's business objectives while maintaining a robust approach to tax governance and risk management.
• Monitor the Group's overall tax profile and proactively identify emerging risks, opportunities, and areas for improvement.

Pillar II & Tax Reporting

• Lead and drive the Group's Pillar II reporting, including coordination of data requirements, calculations, reporting processes, governance, and implementation across relevant jurisdictions.
• Ensure the Group remains compliant with evolving OECD Pillar Two requirements and related local legislation.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external tax advisors to address technical matters, reporting requirements, and implementation challenges.
• Establish and maintain appropriate processes and controls to support accurate and timely Pillar II reporting.
• Continuously assess the impact of changes in international tax rules on the Group's effective tax rate, reporting obligations, and wider tax strategy.

International Tax & Transactions

• Provide tax advice on cross-border transactions, mergers, acquisitions, disposals, reorganizations, restructurings, financing arrangements, and other strategic transactions.
• Assess the tax implications of proposed business models, legal entity structures, and cross-border flows.
• Support M&A and restructuring projects from a tax perspective, including due diligence, transaction structuring, integration, and post-transaction implementation.
• Identify potential tax exposures and opportunities and communicate recommendations clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Work closely with Legal and Finance teams to ensure tax-efficient structures are appropriately implemented and documented.

Tax Compliance & Tax Authority Management

• Manage and oversee the Group's direct tax compliance activities, ensuring that all relevant tax returns, filings, declarations, and payments are completed accurately and within statutory deadlines.
• Coordinate tax compliance activities across relevant legal entities and jurisdictions, working with internal teams and external advisors where appropriate.
• Manage relationships with tax authorities and oversee tax audits, enquiries, information requests, and other interactions.
• Lead the resolution of tax authority queries and disputes, coordinating with external advisors where specialist support is required.
• Ensure appropriate documentation and audit trails are maintained to support the Group's tax positions.

Tax Accounting & Provisioning

• Review current and deferred tax calculations, ensuring that tax accounting is accurate, complete, and consistent with applicable accounting standards.
• Review tax provisions prepared under local GAAP for relevant Group legal entities.
• Work closely with Financial Reporting and Controllership teams to ensure tax accounting requirements are appropriately reflected in the Group's financial statements.
• Assess the tax accounting implications of significant transactions, changes in tax legislation, and changes to the Group's legal entity structure.
• Support internal and external auditors in reviewing tax balances, provisions, disclosures, and related documentation.

Tax Risk, Governance & Controls

• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve robust internal controls designed to identify and mitigate direct tax risks.
• Ensure appropriate tax governance frameworks, policies, processes, and documentation are in place across the Group.
• Identify potential areas of tax risk and develop practical mitigation plans.
• Support the development and implementation of tax risk management procedures and controls.
• Ensure tax positions are appropriately documented and defensible in the event of tax authority review.
• Promote a strong culture of tax compliance, accountability, and integrity across relevant finance and business teams.

Tax Legislation & Regulatory Developments

• Monitor developments in local and international tax legislation, including changes to corporate income tax, international tax rules, OECD initiatives, Pillar Two, withholding taxes, and other relevant areas.
• Assess the potential impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the Group and recommend appropriate actions.
• Coordinate the implementation of relevant changes across affected legal entities and business functions.
• Keep senior management and relevant stakeholders informed of significant tax developments and their potential financial or operational implications.

External Advisors, Auditors & Stakeholder Management

• Liaise with external tax advisors, auditors, and other professional service providers to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant tax reporting.
• Manage external advisors effectively, ensuring high-quality deliverables, appropriate challenge, and value for money.
• Build strong working relationships with Finance, Legal, Treasury, M&A, FP&A, Accounting, and other internal stakeholders.
• Communicate complex tax matters clearly and concisely to both tax and non-tax audiences, including senior management.
• Provide leadership and direction on tax projects involving multiple jurisdictions and stakeholders.

Competence & Experience Requirements

• University degree in Law, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Economics, or an equivalent relevant discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience in tax, preferably gained within a multinational corporate, Big Four, or international advisory environment.
• Strong experience in international and cross-border taxation.
• Strong knowledge of international tax laws and principles, including experience with multinational group structures and cross-border transactions.
• Strong knowledge of US tax laws and their application to multinational groups.
• Strong understanding of tax accounting standards, including current and deferred tax accounting.
• Demonstrable experience with tax reporting, tax provisions, compliance, and tax risk management.
• Experience with Pillar Two / OECD global minimum tax requirements and related reporting would be highly advantageous.
• Experience advising on M&A, restructurings, reorganizations, and other complex corporate transactions.
• Good understanding of finance processes, financial reporting, and relevant finance systems.
• Experience managing tax audits, tax authority enquiries, and external tax advisors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to interpret complex tax legislation and translate it into practical business recommendations.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong business acumen, commercial awareness, and professional integrity.