Corporate Tax Associate Tax Director

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Associate Tax Director (UK Corporate Tax team)

Reporting to: Tax Director

Location: London

Salary: £120,000

Purpose of Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Associate Tax Director to provide significant leadership within our tax team, working closely with the Tax Director and assisting in leading all aspects of the tax department’s day-to-day operational activity. The candidate will play a crucial role in shaping the department's strategic direction, driving operational excellence, and fostering a high-performing team. They are expected to positively impact the departmental strategy and take ownership of key initiatives and client services.

They will directly manage a substantial portfolio of high-value clients, setting the benchmark for client delivery, satisfaction, and commercial results. They will also be expected to actively contribute to new business development activities and help lead on delivering good sales results for the team.

You would ideally have 5+ years of post-qualification experience and demonstrable experience of managing and developing a team.

You will be highly proficient in taking full ownership and strategic oversight of a portfolio of complex corporate clients, possessing deep expertise in a wide range of tax compliance services, substantial advisory experience, and a strong understanding of international tax matters.

This role requires you to be a key member of the department's leadership team, taking a leading role in the strategic development and implementation of departmental objectives. You will be responsible for driving the personal growth and development of team members, including qualified and part-qualified staff. This involves actively managing performance, identifying training opportunities and being involved in wider recruitment. You will also have significant input into departmental workload management, overseeing the tax compliance schedule, and ensuring adherence to key deadlines.

Furthermore, you will be responsible for setting and maintaining high standards for client service, engagement, and profitability. You will champion a positive and collaborative work environment, fostering strong team morale and promoting a culture of continuous improvement amongst the managers and wider team.

This role demands strong organisation, project management and communication skills, coupled with comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of UK and international tax principles. You will be expected to be technically strong, acting as an expert to the rest of the department and wider teams on complex tax engagements which may have an international or advisory theme.

This will also include contributing to thought leadership within the firm and playing a key role in wider strategic initiatives around client service, office culture, and new business generation.

You will also be expected to identify and develop new service offerings and contribute to the overall growth of the tax practice. This can involve identifying opportunities internally rather than managing an external book of business.

Key Accountabilities

• Help lead and deliver department meetings, including agenda setting, facilitating discussions to suitable conclusions, fostering a positive collaborative team environment and delegating tasks
• Develop expertise in a specific tax area or specialism, helping to enhance departmental knowledge and providing guidance to colleagues
• Take ownership of appropriate UK corporate tax compliance reviews, ensuring accuracy of tax workings, managing risk, making effective decisions, and maintaining compliance standards
• Drive commercial performance by identifying and implementing new opportunities for additional billing, special projects to contribute to departmental sales targets, and leading on sales decisions
• Build strong relationships with other London office departments, promoting effective cross-departmental client service, collaboration, client delivery, and good problem-solving on complex challenges
• Actively contribute to new business proposals and prepare accurate, tailored engagement letters for new client opportunities
• Review corporation tax and VAT returns to send out to clients
• Review payroll-related year-end filings (STBV, P11Ds, PSAs, ERS returns)
• Win, assist, and lead on special project work, liaising with seniors where appropriate
• Manage the compliance for a portfolio of clients, being the main point of contact for these clients
• Manage WIP and billing for your portfolio of clients
• Manage the department billing process, accruals, and deferrals
• Manage the appraisal process for the team with other managers, including the collection of feedback from the team
• Manage the software and systems for the department
• Ensure constant training development and progress with exams / CPD records are up to date
• Complete accurate timesheets of working time
• Timesheet reviews and approvals for reporting lines

Knowledge & Experience

• Professionally qualified with ICAEW, ACCA, or CTA
• 5+ years post-qualification with extensive management experience of a medium-sized team
• Ability to grow and develop team members and encourage a positive working environment
• Excellent UK tax knowledge and ability to share that knowledge with team and colleagues
• Outstanding client service skills
• Strong ability to work with seniors and leaders to deploy strategies and develop commercial offering
• Proven UK tax experience covering complex compliance issues, transfer pricing, CIR, R&D tax credits and share schemes with the ability to provide tax advice on advisory matters
• International experience – tax treaties, withholding issues, transfer pricing/permanent establishment reviews
• Strong commercial performer, including budget setting, time cost management, and good performance of sales targets and delivery
• Development of own network which might present some new client opportunities
• Ability to work under pressure and deal with client service issues
• Work with a global network of Local Service Providers in delivering timely and quality advice to clients
• Team player and ability to work as part of management team
• Work with the Tax Director to ensure full compliance with risk management procedures
• Good communicator and fun to work with

You can expect from us:

• A competitive salary and company benefits
• To be welcomed and be part of a 1,300+ strong workforce across 30+ global offices
• The ability to play a key role in leading a strong and growing tax department which looks after high-value clients with a key focus on compliance, tax advisory, and international aspects
• A challenging portfolio of clients including internationally headquartered, globally expanding businesses, including several groups with many operating in the Tech sector, together with owner-managed and entrepreneurial businesses, where you will become their key contact and help manage all compliance and advisory matters
• The ability to support the Tax Director and the senior leadership team on various high-value client engagements across specific tax work and wider client management
• Opportunity to play a strong role as part of the management team, including supporting and leading on aspects such as overall tax strategy, corporate growth, and recruitment of personnel
• Commitment to coaching and personal development
• Lots of social, fun events and charity activities