At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team managing UK and International tax matters while driving transformation initiatives.
- Company: Join Pearson, a global leader in education with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Flexible remote work options and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work remotely from anywhere in the UK with occasional travel.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on global tax strategy and governance.
- Qualifications: Experienced in UK corporate tax with strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
This role is a maternity leave cover for a defined portion of a senior leadership position within Group Tax, reporting to the Head of Tax. The role has responsibility for oversight of UK and International tax matters, including transformation initiatives, operating model continuous improvement, tax reporting, forecasting, compliance oversight, and business support.
This role sits on the Tax Leadership team and plays a key role in supporting the organisation's global tax strategy and governance. You will lead a team responsible for UK and International direct tax activities across multiple jurisdictions, working in partnership with advisors and collaborating closely with finance, legal, treasury, controllership and business stakeholders across Pearson's global operations.
You will also work closely with the heads of Indirect Tax, Transfer Pricing, US and Strategy. Alongside overseeing business-as-usual tax activities and any special projects, you will play a key role in driving elements of Pearson's tax transformation agenda. This includes continuous improvement of the tax operating model, governance frameworks, and the use of technology and data to enhance efficiency and risk management.
This is a senior leadership role that combines strategic oversight with hands-on delivery, requiring strong judgement, stakeholder engagement and the ability to operate in a complex, global environment.
What you'll do:- Lead a team responsible for UK and International direct tax matters, including corporate tax compliance, reporting, forecasting, and business support activities.
- Oversee and manage tax audits, enquiries, and disputes across relevant jurisdictions, working in partnership with the Tax Controversy Lead where required.
- Ensure appropriate governance and escalation of tax risks and opportunities, maintaining a "no surprises" approach to ETR, cash tax and forecasting.
- Identify, drive and implement value-adding tax opportunities across regions.
- Continuously develop and improve the tax operating model across people, processes and technology, working closely with the US tax team to ensure global alignment.
- Drive process simplification, standardisation, and improved governance across the tax function.
- Oversee the continued centralisation of local compliance activity within international markets, focusing on efficiency and scalable global processes.
- Champion the use of technology, including identifying and delivering data and automation opportunities aligned to broader finance transformation initiatives.
- Partner with finance and business stakeholders to provide practical tax support on commercial initiatives, contracting, restructuring, and operational matters.
- Monitor legislative developments and assess implications for the business.
- Contribute to broader tax projects and initiatives, including potential involvement in M&A and strategic activities.
- Experienced UK corporate tax professional with significant experience, ideally combining Big Four and large multinational organisation exposure.
- Relevant degree or equivalent higher education qualification, alongside a professional qualification in accounting, tax, or law.
- Strong expertise in tax accounting, with a clear understanding of ETR and cash tax implications.
- Broad and up-to-date knowledge of international tax and UK tax legislation.
- Proven experience managing external advisors and leading cross-functional projects.
- Experience or exposure to transformation, operating model redesign, process improvement, or tax technology initiatives.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across Finance, Treasury, Legal and business teams.
- Ability to build credibility and trust, gaining buy-in from senior stakeholders across the organisation.
- Comfortable balancing strategic priorities with operational delivery.
- Strong leadership capability, with experience motivating and developing high-performing teams.
- Excellent organisational and documentation skills.
- Awareness of AI, technology and data trends within tax, with understanding of available tools and their application (not requiring deep technical expertise).
This role can be based anywhere in the UK and may be fully remote, with occasional travel to Pearson offices. The Group Tax team is based across the UK and US, with key hubs in London (Head Office) and Belfast.
Pearson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law.
We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing TalentExperienceGlobalTeam@grp.pearson.com.
Senior Lead, Tax employer: Pearson
Pearson is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, offering employees the opportunity to lead transformative tax initiatives in a global environment. With a strong focus on professional development, employees benefit from continuous learning opportunities and the chance to work alongside industry experts, all while enjoying the flexibility of remote work across the UK. The company's commitment to innovation and technology ensures that team members are at the forefront of tax transformation, making Pearson a rewarding place for those seeking meaningful careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Lead, Tax
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tax field, especially those who might know someone at Pearson. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Pearson's tax strategy and recent initiatives. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your understanding of our global operations and how you can contribute to our transformation agenda.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop us a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in our minds as we make decisions.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Pearson.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Lead, Tax
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Lead, Tax role. Highlight your expertise in UK and international tax matters, and don’t forget to mention any transformation initiatives you've led!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your leadership experience and how you’ve successfully managed cross-functional projects in the past.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:In your application, emphasise your ability to influence and engage with senior stakeholders. Share examples of how you've built credibility and trust in previous roles, especially in complex environments.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Pearson!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pearson
✨Know Your Tax Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your UK and international tax knowledge. Be ready to discuss recent legislative changes and how they could impact the business. This shows you're not just a candidate, but someone who’s genuinely engaged with the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, especially in high-pressure situations. Highlight your experience in managing cross-functional projects and how you’ve motivated your team to achieve their goals. This role is all about leadership, so make it count!
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with Pearson's global operations and how the tax function fits into the overall strategy. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the company's tax transformation agenda and improve processes. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and alignment with their goals.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would approach collaboration with finance, legal, and other departments. Prepare to discuss your stakeholder management strategies and how you’ve built trust in previous roles. This is crucial for a senior position, so be prepared to impress!
