Senior Tax Technology Manager in Basildon

Ford's Office of Tax Counsel is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Manager, Indirect Tax Technology. This critical role will serve as the primary bridge between the OTC, IT, and the Business, driving the strategy, implementation, and optimization of indirect tax technology solutions across the enterprise. The ideal candidate will leverage their deep expertise in technology and indirect tax to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and compliance within Ford's global indirect tax operations. This role is central to modernizing our tax function and ensuring it is equipped to navigate the evolving digital landscape and regulatory environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Established VAT Consulting experience.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a liaison between IT and Business functions.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to explain complex indirect tax requirements.
• Proficiency in using and implementing tax software and technology tools (e.g., ERP systems, tax engines like Vertex, data analytics tools like Alteryx/Power BI).
• Proven project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Taxation, Business Administration (MBA), or a related technical field.
• CPA certification.
• Experience in a global multinational corporate environment.
• Experience with advanced technologies such as RPA, AI, or machine learning in a tax context.

Additional Information

This position is based in Dunton or Cologne, and it is expected the successful candidate will be able to attend the Dunton or Cologne office for typically 4 days a week and remain flexible on the days they are required to attend the office according to business requirements. As part of our pre-employment checks process, successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check. This will be conducted in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and applied only to unspent convictions.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision: Develop and execute a comprehensive tax technology strategy aligned with Ford's overall business objectives and the OTC’s mission.
• Cross-Functional Liaison: Act as the key liaison between the OTC’s, IT, Finance, Accounting, and various Skill teams to identify, understand, and translate tax information technology needs and business requirements into effective technology solutions and robust processes.
• System Implementation & Optimization: Lead the identification, evaluation, implementation, and maintenance of tax technology applications, such as tax engines (e.g., Vertex) and other specialized software, to automate and streamline tax processes.
• Data Management & Analytics: Oversee all tax data management, ensuring data integrity, quality, analysis, and reporting.
• Project Management: Manage the full Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) for tax technology projects, including requirements gathering, design, development, testing, and deployment, ensuring timely and successful project completion.