Associate Director - Tax in Southampton

At Grant Thornton we do things differently – looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. We provide audit, tax and advisory services, empowering clients through strategic insight, curiosity and genuine partnership. We also empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work‑life balance. With over 5,000 people in the UK and a presence in 150 global markets, we are on an ambitious journey from great to exceptional and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential.

This is an opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like and what you want from your career. NEW GROUND WON’T BREAK ITSELF. Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals.

A look into the role: Our Private Capital Corporate Tax team specialises in supporting exciting entrepreneurial businesses. We focus on the tax affairs of privately owned and private equity–backed companies, helping them navigate complex compliance obligations and providing tax advisory projects as they grow, restructure or consider succession planning. We build strong, trusted adviser relationships, listening to clients’ business and personal goals and delivering tax‑efficient solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Advise a broad range of clients on a range of tax issues, covering a broad range of compliance and advisory projects.
• Be actively involved in client meetings, concisely and confidently answering client queries.
• Engender trust and respect from clients by producing high‑quality tax advice accurately, delivering on expectations and deadlines.
• Lead from the front in delivering client work, engaging with the wider Tax teams to ensure correct skill utilisation on all projects.
• Take responsibility for developing more junior team members, understanding their career aspirations and supporting them in delivery.
• Provide intelligent and creative solutions to client tax issues both reactively and proactively, taking an active approach to cross‑selling wider solutions across the GT network.
• Lead on pitch/proposals.
• Actively grow the business by being present in the market and demonstrating our capabilities to clients and targets.

Qualifications:

• The minimum criteria for an Associate Director is a professional qualification (CTA/ACA/ACCA or equivalent) with post‑qualification experience and confidence in managing a portfolio of entrepreneurial business clients.
• Strong knowledge of UK corporate tax legislation and a working knowledge of international concepts.
• Experience reviewing work and supervising people in a tax environment.
• Experience working within a professional services environment.
• Experience managing a large portfolio of tax clients.
• Demonstrable business development experience.
• Eagerness to develop deep knowledge of the firm’s services and capabilities.

Benefits:

• Tailored development programmes and access to coaching.
• Flexible bank holidays – allowing you to celebrate the days that are important to you.
• Benefits including pension, life assurance and private medical, additional holiday purchasing and health benefits.
• Access to shopping discounts, gym memberships and financial advice.

How We Work:

We have a trust‑based way of working, driven by responsible people who place the best interests of our firm and our clients at heart. Our how we work framework gives flexibility in where, how and when we work to deliver the best results for our clients while helping you keep a balance between work and life. Life is more than work – the things you do and the people you’re with outside of work matter, which is why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles.

Culture:

Our values shape our daily behaviours and decisions. We want people who align with our unwavering principles – purposefully driven, actively curious, candid yet kind. The culture at Grant Thornton is inclusive and creates environments where all people can flourish.

Additional Information:

We’re looking for people who can help drive the business forward, who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.