Head of Tax

About Marcura

Marcura is a global leader in maritime technology and operations, supporting nearly one‑third of the world’s seaborne commodity trade. Our trusted platforms which span software, data intelligence and payments sit at the centre of digital transformation across the maritime industry. We are now seeking a Head of Tax to join our high‑impact team and contribute to the success of one of the sector’s most forward‑looking organisations.

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Group Tax is responsible for the full spectrum of Marcura Group's global tax strategy, governance and obligations across all entities and jurisdictions. Reporting to the Group CFO and as a key member of the Finance Leadership Team, the role combines strategic advisory — including ownership of live structuring workstreams such as debt refinancing, and group entity rationalisation — with robust multi‑jurisdictional compliance oversight and team leadership.

The role has mandate to build and shape the group tax function appropriate to the group's current scale and PE‑backed growth trajectory, including assessment of what capability to develop in‑house versus what to manage through external advisors. The Head of Tax is responsible for the full spectrum of the organisation’s global tax obligations and strategy. The role leads a team of tax professionals across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring compliance, managing risk, and delivering proactive tax planning that supports the organisation’s commercial objectives. Reporting to the CFO, the Head of Tax is a key member of the Finance leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, own and continuously refresh the group’s global tax strategy; advise the CFO and senior leadership on the tax implications of strategic decisions, investments, M&A activity and cross‑border transactions through an active growth period.
• Act as primary internal lead on the group’s vision and be a key advisor to major projects; manage external tax structuring advisers to budget and outcome. Balance strategic considerations across commercial, tax and operational requirements.
• Build a high‑performing function and prepare the Group for exit readiness.
• Oversee multi‑jurisdictional corporate income tax compliance (UAE, UK, India, Philippines, Denmark and others) through in‑house resource and managed adviser relationships; maintain a group tax calendar and compliance health dashboard.
• Identify, assess and manage tax risks across the group; maintain a tax risk register; report to the Audit Committee on material exposures, disputes and strategic risks in line with the group’s published Tax Strategy and ESG commitments.
• Lead preparation and review of group and entity‑level IFRS tax provisions and deferred tax disclosures (IAS 12); support auditors on all tax‑related audit matters across group and subsidiary audits.
• Own the group’s transfer pricing policy framework; ensure OECD‑compliant master and local files are maintained across all relevant jurisdictions; oversee CbCR preparation, filing and TP audit management.
• Be the key stakeholder for entity rationalisation projects, redefinition of the UK tax group and structural rationalisation across all holding entities.
• Monitor and manage the group’s UK Corporate Interest Restriction (CIR) position; model interest restriction exposure across the leveraged group structure and own strategy for UK group loss utilisation, group relief and carry‑forward trading losses.
• Own the group’s UAE Corporate Tax position across DIFC and mainland entities; ensure robust substance, qualification and compliance; advise on optimal use of the UAE tax environment for treasury, holding and financing structures including Pillar Two exposure.
• Provide strategic oversight of indirect tax (VAT/GST), withholding tax, DAC6/MDR disclosure and other statutory obligations across all jurisdictions; set policy, resolve escalations and manage adviser relationships.
• Build and shape the group tax function; determine optimal mix of in‑house capability vs external advisers; leverage technology options; develop and mentor tax professionals within the function and embed tax awareness across Finance and key business processes.

Requirements

• Education: Qualified tax professional (CTA, ACA/ACCA, or equivalent).
• Certifications: CTA or ACA/ACCA (essential); LLM Tax an advantage.
• Min. Experience: 12+ years post‑qualification; 7+ years senior in‑house tax at group level.
• Industry: PE‑backed multinational, financial services, fintech/payments or maritime; multi‑jurisdictional essential.
• Languages: English (fluent, essential), Arabic or additional European languages an advantage.

Technical Skills

• Corporate income tax (UK & international)
• Transfer pricing (OECD master/local files, CbCR)
• UK Corporate Interest Restriction rules
• UAE Corporate Tax & DIFC substance
• Pillar Two / global minimum tax
• VAT/GST & indirect tax (oversight level)
• Withholding taxes
• Tax provisions & deferred tax under IFRS (IAS 12)
• Loss utilisation & group relief strategy
• Tax structuring for debt/treasury/holding structures
• DAC6/MDR disclosure
• M&A tax (IFRS 3 context)

Leadership Skills

• Strategic thinker who translates complex tax issues into clear commercial advice.
• Strong influencer C‑suite level.
• Proven track record of owning group tax strategy in a PE‑backed or listed environment.
• Commercially aware, balancing risk and opportunity.
• Resilient self‑starter comfortable with ambiguity and organisational complexity.
• High integrity and commitment to transparent, responsible tax governance.

Success Factors

What This Looks Like In Practice

• Strategic Tax Leadership: Shapes and owns the group’s global tax strategy across all entities and jurisdictions; demonstrably influences business decisions, reduces the overall tax risk profile and maximises the group’s tax efficiency.
• Structuring Delivery: Delivers tangible outcomes on live structuring workstreams — refinancing, entity rationalisation — within agreed timelines; manages external advisers to budget and quality.
• Technical Excellence: Demonstrates current, deep knowledge of international tax including UAE CT, UK CIR, Pillar Two/BEPS, transfer pricing and multi‑jurisdictional compliance; proactively monitors regulatory change across all relevant jurisdictions.
• Stakeholder Influence: Effectively advises and influences at Board and C‑suite level; builds trust and credibility across Finance, Legal and Business teams; represents the tax function credibly to external auditors and tax authorities.
• Function Building: Builds, shapes and leads a high-performing group tax function that is highly interactive with the business; leverages technology to scale; makes sound decisions on in‑house vs outsourced capability; develops team members and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
• Risk & Compliance Ownership: Maintains a robust control environment; proactively identifies and pragmatically mitigates tax risks; ensures full, accurate and timely compliance across all jurisdictions with clear Audit Committee visibility.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary and Bonus: We reward your expertise and contributions.
• Inclusive Onboarding Experience: Our onboarding program is designed to set you up for success right from day one.
• Marcura Wellness Zone: We value your work‑life balance and well‑being.
• Global Opportunities: Be part of an ambitious, expanding company with a local touch.
• Diverse, Supportive Work Culture: We’re committed to inclusion, diversity, and a sense of belonging for all team members.