Corporate Transactions Tax Advisory - Associate Director (Focus on M&A and Large Corporate Transactions) in Belfast

Grant Thornton is part of a fast-growing and rapidly evolving international platform, bringing together specialist teams across the UK, Ireland, the US and an expanding global network of member firms. This creates opportunities for our people to work on complex, cross-border assignments, collaborate with leading specialists across the network and build expertise across the full spectrum of UK and international tax services.

From Belfast, our team supports a diverse client base that includes owner-managed businesses, large corporates and multinational groups, giving our people exposure to some of the most interesting and complex tax challenges in the market while benefiting from the scale, resources and opportunities of a growing international platform.

The Grant Thornton Advisors (NI) Tax Team is a growing team of over 90 specialists with deep industry, sector and technical knowledge. Within this, our Corporate Transactions Tax Advisory (TTA) practice advises large corporate and multinational clients on significant transaction tax matters where deal profile, stakeholder needs and group structure require specialist, commercially focused advice.

Our TTA team provides specialist tax support throughout the transaction lifecycle, including acquisitions, disposals, restructurings, fundraisings, management buyouts, private equity transactions and strategic corporate events. Working closely with corporate finance, legal and wider advisory teams, we support clients on buy-side and sell-side due diligence, SPA support, structuring, financing and refinancing, group reorganisations and post-deal integration across domestic and international markets.

The role will focus on substantial corporate clients, including multinational groups, private equity-backed businesses and corporates with developed group structures. As deal activity increases and our market presence strengthens, we are continuing to grow the Belfast TTA team, creating opportunities to work on high-profile transactions alongside a collaborative group of tax, corporate finance and advisory professionals.

Main responsibilities will include:

• Leading the end-to-end delivery of multiple Transaction Tax Advisory engagements, ensuring high-quality outcomes, effective risk management and exceptional client service on large corporate and complex transaction assignments.
• Driving project timelines, quality standards and coordination across internal teams, clients and external stakeholders, particularly where engagements involve multiple workstreams, senior stakeholders or developed group structures.
• Owning and developing key client relationships, acting as a trusted adviser and identifying opportunities to support wider business objectives for large corporates, multinational groups and private equity-backed businesses.
• Leading technical delivery and review, providing direction and coaching to Managers and junior team members, while remaining actively involved in complex technical matters, key judgements and client-facing discussions.
• Overseeing engagement economics, including WIP, recoverability and billing, proactively managing build-up and supporting strong recovery performance.
• Supporting business development activities, including proposals, pitches, networking and the identification of opportunities with new and existing clients.
• Contributing to the continued growth and strategic development of the Transaction Tax Advisory practice through market engagement and thought leadership.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the wider firm and third-party advisers to deliver integrated solutions and maximise client value on transaction tax projects.
• Taking responsibility for quality, risk management and compliance, ensuring work is delivered in accordance with professional and firm standards.
• Developing and mentoring team members, helping to build technical capability, engagement and retention across the team.

Skills and attributes:

• ACA/ACCA and/or CTA qualified.
• Significant post-qualification experience within a corporation tax environment in a large practice, with experience in a Big Four or top-tier professional services firm desirable.
• Equivalent industry experience will also be considered where it has involved large corporate clients, complex transactions or developed group structures.
• Demonstrable experience of Transaction Tax Advisory assignments, including tax due diligence, structuring and transaction support, preferably on substantial corporate or cross-border transactions.
• Proven ability to manage and develop client relationships, identify business development opportunities and contribute to practice growth.
• Strong project management and commercial awareness, including responsibility for engagement economics, budgets, WIP and recoverability.
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing high-performing teams, with a proactive interest in team performance, development and wellbeing.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex tax matters clearly to clients and colleagues at all levels, including senior stakeholders in corporate client organisations.