Tax Compliance & Governance Manager

Our client is seeking a pragmatic, commercially minded Tax Compliance & Governance Manager to take ownership of their UK tax compliance framework, lead their relationship with HMRC and strengthen tax governance across the business. This newly created, highly visible role offers the opportunity to build and embed a stronger tax governance framework, rather than simply manage an established compliance process. The successful candidate will review and formalise tax systems, processes and controls and coordinate UK tax matters across VAT, corporation tax, payroll, BIK, imports/exports and emerging areas such as CBAM and E-Invoicing. The role will suit an experienced Tax Manager or Senior Tax Manager who wants to move beyond purely technical tax work and take genuine ownership of tax governance, controls, risk and operational stakeholder management.

Key Responsibilities

• HMRC & Tax Governance: Lead the relationship with HMRC, including Customer Compliance Managers; manage enquiries and reviews; build HMRC confidence; and strengthen the company’s tax risk profile.
• Tax Controls & Risk: Build and maintain the Tax Control Framework, identify control gaps, establish testing and monitoring, and maintain the tax risk register.
• Tax Compliance: Oversee UK VAT and corporation tax compliance, including returns, reconciliations, payments, provisions and relevant areas such as imports/exports, property, payroll/BIK and intercompany activity.
• Business Partnership: Work closely with Finance, IT, Operations, Manufacturing, Property and Legal to embed effective tax controls, advise on projects and systems, and drive practical process improvements.
• Group Tax: Support transfer pricing and intercompany compliance, with scope to take on broader Group tax responsibilities over time.

What Success Will Look Like

Within the first 12–18 months, you will have:

• Established a clear view of key UK tax risks and priorities.
• Built a strong and credible relationship with HMRC.
• Designed and embedded a robust Tax Control Framework.
• Strengthened VAT and corporation-tax controls, with effective testing and monitoring.
• Improved senior management visibility of tax risk and compliance.
• Delivered a clear plan to enhance the company’s HMRC risk profile.
• Embedded greater tax awareness and accountability across the business.

What We Are Looking For

• CTA qualified; ACA or ACCA also desirable.
• 8–15 years’ UK tax experience, ideally as a Tax Manager or Senior Tax Manager within a large retailer, wholesaler, manufacturer or FTSE business.
• Strong knowledge of UK VAT and corporation tax, with broader UK tax experience.
• Proven experience building or enhancing tax governance and control frameworks.
• Direct experience working with HMRC Customer Compliance Managers.
• Comfortable working with operational management, translating tax requirements into practical, sustainable processes.
• Highly analytical, organised and detail-focused, with strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Confident challenging existing processes and driving improvements across the business.
• Able to manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting statutory deadlines.

What’s In It For You?

This is an opportunity to shape how tax is governed and managed across the business, with genuine ownership of the UK tax compliance and governance agenda. The role offers significant senior leadership exposure, direct engagement with HMRC and the opportunity to make a measurable difference to tax controls, risk and compliance culture. There is also scope for the role to grow into broader responsibility for transfer pricing and other Group tax matters.