Head of International Tax in London

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of International Tax to join our Group Tax Team at our Paddington headquarters. The Group Tax Team works collaboratively with the corporate functions and the wider business on a day-to-day basis to provide advice across all taxes. Our team is fuelled by curious minds from diverse backgrounds, and this is an incredible time to join us at DS Smith.

This role will focus on leading the global execution and advisory aspects of international tax strategy. You will be communicating with the business and acting as the primary point of contact for complex cross-border tax queries, M&A transactions, and legal entity structures. This role will partner with senior internal teams on commercial projects and initiatives, offering a fantastic opportunity to build relationships across a global footprint spanning over 35 countries, while directly managing and developing an International Tax Manager.

A successful candidate must be a proven self-starter and commercial leader, who is comfortable with pro-actively communicating directly, working collaboratively and liaising at all levels.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and execute the group’s international tax strategy, partnering with Treasury on capital structures, dividend planning, and repatriation methods.
• Provide expert tax advice to regional finance teams and corporate functions on commercial projects, managing risks around CFC regimes and permanent establishments.
• Lead tax due diligence on potential acquisitions or divestments, designing tax-efficient structures and overseeing post-acquisition integration and legal entity rationalisation.
• Track global tax updates to assess business impact, ensuring alignment on key international compliance components like Pillar 2 and transfer pricing principles.
• Provide strategic support to the Direct Tax team and local entities on tax audit queries relating to international tax matters.
• Directly manage, mentor, and coach the International Tax Manager, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with the wider tax function.

So, if you are an experienced International Tax leader looking for a new challenge in a business which prioritises creativity and encourages you to make a difference - then we might be looking for you!

About you:

• Professional qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CA/ CTA or equivalent.
• Demonstrable progressive International Tax experience, ideally at leadership level within a large multinational or large advisory.
• Extensive knowledge of UK direct tax (CFC, loan relationships, Pillar 2), Double Tax Treaties, and foreign tax regimes.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate complex tax matters into business outcomes and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage, coach, and develop direct reports while driving strategic corporate projects independently.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary.
• Discretionary bonus.
• Car allowance.
• Private healthcare.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Employee Discounts.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Location: This is a hybrid role, split between the London Paddington office (3 days) and home (2 days) – however flexibility will be required at times.

We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!

Fair recruitment at DS Smith: To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas, and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.