Head of Tax – Real Estate (Basé à London)

Our client is a specialist investor and asset manager operating across the UK and Europe, boasting an impressive portfolio of properties worth €multi-billion and with solid institutional grade backing. As they continue their growth and expansion plans, they are seeking a Head of Tax to lead on tax matters across UK and European investments throughout the asset holding lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will have a solid foundation in real estate Fund Management/Asset Management with expertise in tax strategies – especially on transactions and compliance in the UK and Europe. This is a high-impact role, requiring a combination of technical tax knowledge, strong commercial acumen, and exceptional communication skills.

The role responsibilities for the Head of Tax will include:

• Deals and structuring: Leading all tax-related aspects of investments, providing strategic advice on UK and European tax matters.
• Overseeing tax-related issues in share or asset acquisitions and dispositions, ensuring tax warranties and indemnities are addressed appropriately.
• Working cross-functionally with teams across asset management, investment management, legal, and compliance, providing input on tax-related matters.
• Playing an active role in investment modelling and forecasting, with a keen focus on tax implications to include completion of taxation specific transaction checklists and confirming the appropriateness of tax assumptions used in underwrite models.
• Approving tax due diligence scope of work and reviewing output from providers of that service. Ensuring that specific advice is clearly communicated to the wider business.
• Providing tax-related training sessions to the wider team, including fund accountants.

Compliance and tax governance framework:

• Defining the tax risk management processes and developing a tax control framework, together with integrating such processes into the existing business strategy, governance framework and reporting obligations.
• Ensuring that each jurisdiction in which the business operates complies with the requirements of the applicable tax governance framework and documenting the controls and processes which are applicable.
• Developing a process to integrate the jurisdiction specific tax governance frameworks to create a single global tax governance framework.
• Working with existing compliance providers and fund reporting teams to oversee the ongoing tax compliance obligations for UK and European investment vehicles, including annual corporation tax returns / VAT / CIS / Capital allowances, etc.

Returns to investors:

• Collaborating with the fund reporting team and senior finance management to support year-end reporting and audit processes.
• Developing a best-in-class approach to quarterly tax return provisioning and reconciliation.
• Monitoring capital project expenditures and repairs/maintenance costs and therefore determining the appropriate tax treatment.
• Creating a robust approach to cash management, with clear expectations on tax-related cash flows.

The person and skills requirements for Head of Tax role:

• Qualified Chartered Accountant and/or Chartered Tax Advisor (or equivalent) with at least ten years of PQE.
• Proven experience in real estate Fund Management or Asset Management in both the UK and Europe.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to articulate complex tax issues clearly and concisely.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to manage relationships with key stakeholders.
• In-depth technical knowledge of UK and European tax rules, compliance requirements, and legislation.
• Experience managing external tax advisors effectively and cost-efficiently.
• Proactive in monitoring changes in tax legislation and assessing their impact on current and future investments.
• Experienced in transaction-related tax matters, with a proven track record of successful project management.

Benefits:

• Discretionary Bonus.
• Private Medical Insurance / Critical Illness.
• Life Assurance.
• Non-contributory Pension.
• Learning and Development support.
• Cycle to Work Scheme, Maternity / Paternity support, etc.