At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK tax function, optimise cash performance, and ensure compliance with tax legislation.
- Company: Join Tata Steel UK, a leader in sustainable steel production with a diverse workforce.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, generous holidays, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for career growth and involvement in major business transformation initiatives.
- Why this job: Shape tax strategy during a transformative period for the business and industry.
- Qualifications: Extensive tax experience, leadership skills, and a Chartered Accountant or Tax Adviser qualification.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 90000 £ per year.
Department: Finance
Location: Port Talbot (SA13) HYBRID WORKING
Salary: Senior Leader role offering a competitive salary along with company car/allowance, attractive pension scheme and other benefits.
We believe that our strength is not just in our steel but the diversity of our workforce. Our people make the difference.
At Tata Steel UK, our strength lies not only in the steel we make, but in the people who shape our journey. As we transform for a sustainable future, our Finance team play a pivotal role in driving change, strengthening governance, and ensuring we remain resilient in an ever-evolving world.
The role involves leading the UK tax function at a pivotal time for the business and the industry. Reporting directly to the Group Finance Director, this is a senior leadership role where you will shape tax strategy, optimise cash performance, and ensure full compliance across a complex and evolving landscape. You will manage a team of 10 with 4 direct reports.
The Head of Taxation & Customs will be responsible for ensuring all tax aspects of the business transformation are handled appropriately as well as managing key tax change projects, including automation and process optimisation of customs and VAT activities. The purpose of the role is to optimise the tax position of Tata Steel UK and to comply with statutory tax legislation requirements for direct and indirect taxation. You will lead the UK Tax team to provide coordinated direct and indirect tax advice in line with commercial objectives to ensure that in all major business decisions tax consequences have been fully taken into account.
What you’ll do:
- Lead & Develop: Lead, coach, and inspire a team of tax specialists, ensuring high-quality delivery of all tax activities. Build a future-ready tax function aligned with business objectives and evolving regulatory demands. Take full accountability for all internal and external tax outputs.
- Drive Strategy & Risk Management: Define and implement the UK tax strategy while actively managing the Group’s tax risk profile. Maintain strong relationships with HMRC, ensuring transparency and a low-risk status. Lead governance frameworks including SAO and tax risk management processes.
- Own Compliance & Reporting: Oversee all UK tax filings, payments, and forecasting across Corporation Tax, VAT & Customs, Employment & Environmental Taxes. Ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficiency across all processes.
- Provide Commercial Insight: Partner with senior stakeholders to ensure tax considerations are embedded in key business decisions. Advise on complex UK and international transactions, including cross-border structuring & compliance, transfer pricing & OECD/BEPS requirements, M&A, restructuring, and expansion activities.
- Optimise Value: Identify opportunities to improve cash flow and tax efficiency. Maximise benefits from tax credits (e.g. RDEC) and available tax attributes. Reduce reliance on external advisors through strong in-house capability.
- Lead Transformation: Drive tax input into major business transformation initiatives. Oversee implementation of digital tax systems and compliance with Making Tax Digital requirements. Support the business in navigating evolving customs complexities.
What you’ll need:
- Extensive experience in tax, with strong technical expertise and a broad understanding of both indirect and direct tax.
- Deep understanding of UK tax legislation and international tax frameworks.
- Demonstrated ability to drive strategic tax outcomes through expert stakeholder engagement.
- Visionary approach to tax technology and digital transformation.
- Strong leadership experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
- Agility in navigating complex regulatory shifts.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Chartered Accountant (ICAEW) or Chartered Tax Adviser qualification.
- Professional membership at an appropriate level.
What we can offer you:
Tata Steel UK offers their employees significant benefits packages. For this role, you will benefit from:
- A market competitive salary.
- Car or Car allowance.
- 35 days holidays per annum.
- Annual Pay Review.
- Bonus Scheme – subject to business performance.
- Private Healthcare Scheme (family cover).
- One of the UK’s leading defined contribution pension schemes (10% employer contribution / 6% employee contribution).
We also have an extensive list of lifestyle benefits including free onsite parking at all of our sites, an employee assistance programme as well as Employee discount scheme for companies including Vodafone, Jaguar Land Rover and also various local services.
Head of Tax & Customs employer: Randstad UK
At Tata Steel UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly in our Finance team based in Port Talbot. With a strong commitment to employee development, we offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits including a generous pension scheme and private healthcare, and a vibrant work culture that values diversity and innovation. As we embark on a transformative journey towards sustainable steel production, our employees are at the forefront of this change, enjoying opportunities for growth and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Tax & Customs
✨Join Tax Networks
Get involved in tax-focused networks or associations, like the Chartered Institute of Taxation. These communities often host events and workshops which can help you make connections with industry professionals, plus they might even have job boards exclusive to members.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for tax-related conferences and seminars. Events like these are not only great for learning but also for meeting potential employers face-to-face. Use these opportunities to ask questions and express your interest; it’s all about putting a face to the name!
✨Leverage Social Media
Follow leading tax advisory firms, such as Randstad UK, on social media. Engage with their posts – comment, share insights, or even ask questions. This can help you get noticed and show your enthusiasm for the industry before you even apply!
✨Showcase Your Knowledge
Consider writing articles or blogs on tax trends and issues. Sharing your expertise on platforms like LinkedIn can boost your visibility and establish you as someone who is serious about a career in tax advisory. Plus, it gives you something to discuss when you land that interview!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Tax & Customs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tax Knowledge:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant tax qualifications, certifications, or coursework you've completed. We want to see that you understand tax laws, regulations, and compliance issues—so detail your academic background or any practical experience in tax advisory to catch Randstad UK's eye!
Quantify Your Achievements:In the tax consultancy field, showing measurable outcomes from your previous work can set you apart. Use your CV to include specific examples of how your advice helped clients save money or avoid penalties. Numbers speak volumes in our industry and can really highlight your impact.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express why you're passionate about tax consultancy and why you're excited about working at Randstad UK. Share any personal experiences or insights that fuel your interest in the tax advisory field—let your enthusiasm shine through!
Keep It Professional but Approachable:While your written application should maintain a professional tone, don’t be afraid to let a bit of your personality show. Tax advisory is about building relationships, so if you can convey your approachable nature in your writing, that's a bonus when applying for this full-time role at Randstad UK!
How to prepare for a job interview at Randstad UK
✨Know Your Tax Fundamentals
Brush up on the core principles of tax law, especially recent updates that might affect clients. During the interview, we could face scenario-based questions where we'll need to apply these principles to solve problems, so get comfy with hypothetical situations!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Tax advisory isn't just about knowing the rules; it’s about interpreting them. Make sure to prepare examples from your previous studies or experiences where you successfully analysed complex data. We want to demonstrate how we can bring those analytical skills to the table for Randstad UK.
✨Understand the Consulting Aspect
Since this is a full-time role, the interview might involve discussing how we communicate tax strategies to clients. Think about times we've interacted with clients or presented technical information in a digestible way. This shows we’re not just tax boffins but can also connect with people!
✨Your Long-Term Vision
As we're aiming for a full-time position, it's important to convey our enthusiasm and long-term interest in tax advisory. Be prepared to chat about why we’re passionate about this field and how we see ourselves growing within Randstad UK. It helps to show our commitment!
