Head of Tax in Reading

Lead our tax function and shape the strategy that drives compliance, efficiency and innovation across the business. You’ll play a pivotal role in advising senior leadership on major initiatives, managing HMRC relationships, and ensuring robust governance and risk management. This is a high-impact role where your expertise will influence strategic decisions, support business transformation and safeguard our financial integrity. If you’re a strategic thinker with proven experience in tax leadership, risk management and stakeholder engagement, this is your opportunity to make a real difference in a business that matters.

Base location – Hybrid – Reading, Clearwater Court

What You Will Be Doing

• Define and deliver a tax strategy aligned with Thames Water's objectives.
• Provide expert tax guidance to the CFO and Board on restructuring, transformation and strategic planning.
• Lead and develop a high-performing tax team, fostering collaboration across the wider Thames Water business.
• Drive the Group’s approach to Tax Risk Management & Control, including SAO and CCO processes, ensuring delivery of strong tax governance and control frameworks to safeguard the business.
• Oversee accurate and timely reporting across all taxes, including Corporation Tax, VAT, employment taxes and international obligations.
• Have overall responsibility for tax financial reporting processes, including interim and full-year reporting and regulatory inputs.
• Build strong relationships with regulators, auditors and external advisers.
• Lead Thames Water’s relationship with HMRC and manage all aspects of any enquiries, audits or disputes.

What You Should Bring To The Role

• You will be a professionally qualified accountant or tax professional with extensive relevant experience in Tax, ideally in a large business.
• In-depth, up-to-date knowledge of relevant tax laws and tax accounting principles is essential.
• The capability to align tax strategy with broader business goals.
• Excellent communication skills to translate complex tax issues into clear, concise business language for senior stakeholders and non-tax experts.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities with a high degree of attention to detail and a track record of meeting required deadlines.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a team of qualified professionals and developing individuals.
• Strong stakeholder and relationship management skills, including interaction with tax authorities, Board members, shareholders, regulators and executives.

What’s in it for you?

• An opportunity to join a company that offers its employees a rewarding career path, allowing individuals to reach their full potential.
• This is an exciting time to join Thames Water as we continue to deliver our innovative turnaround plan.
• Competitive salary of up to £130,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Car Allowance - £5,800.
• Annual Bonus - up to 25% of base salary.
• Private Medical Health Care.
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• Access to benefits to support health, well-being and finances.

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits. If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know. We’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.