Senior Tax Director in Crawley

The main responsibility of the Senior Tax Director is to provide strategic leadership and technical oversight across the group's tax affairs, acting as the primary partner and deputy to the Group Tax Director in managing the function's risk profile and operational efficiency. The role is directly responsible for ensuring the integrity of the UK&I, AsiaPac regional tax reporting and compliance while proactively managing complex areas such as transfer pricing, treasury tax, and M&A / divestment structuring.

The management of tax affairs (outside the US and UK) across the group is quite decentralised with heavy reliance on local finance teams. The group tax department currently has 10 permanent heads based in the UK and around 16 in the USA.

The Senior Tax Director will have two direct reports: UK Tax Compliance Manager and the Transfer Pricing Manager, and one indirect report: Senior Tax Analyst.

• Strategic Leadership & Governance: Act as deputy to the Group Tax Director, supporting the leadership and strategic direction of the global tax function and stepping in as required. Establish, maintain, and oversee adherence to the Group Tax Governance Framework, including tax policies, procedures, and risk management protocols. Lead on UK Corporate Criminal Offence (CCO) and Senior Accounting Officer (SAO) compliance, ensuring robust processes, documentation, and monitoring are in place.
• Tax Reporting & Compliance: Oversee UK&I, AsiaPac effective tax rate (ETR), cash tax forecasting, and tax reporting for year‑end and interim periods, ensuring integrity of tax numbers and compliance with SOX controls. Maintain responsibility for the UK corporate tax compliance process, including review and sign‑off of c.30 UK corporation tax returns prepared by the Big 4, and oversight of the internal team. Monitor the Pillar 2 tax profile of UK&I which are not within the safe harbours. Ensure optimal utilisation of group tax attributes and evaluate impacts of changes to UK tax legislation.
• International Tax & Transfer Pricing: Establish, manage and monitor compliance with the Group's transfer pricing framework and documentation requirements. Develop a strong understanding of key international tax regimes impacting the group tax profile. Ensure visibility of local compliance processes and monitoring emerging tax risks in the UK&I, AsiaPac region.
• Treasury, Financing & Tax Structuring: Partner with Group Treasury to oversee the tax implications of external group debt, funding structures, internal loans, and UK Corporate Interest Restriction (CIR) optimisation. Manage the UK taxable foreign exchange position while optimising the UK Pillar 2 profile.
• Advisory, Projects & Business Partnering: Provide technical tax advice on UK tax matters and proactively identify tax opportunities and risk mitigations. Support strategic / one‑off project work for the Group Tax Director, including cross‑functional initiatives. Lead tax aspects of group reorganisations and M&A / divestment support.
• Tax Audits & HMRC Relationship Management: Lead engagement with HMRC, including handling enquiries, negotiating positions, and preparing for business risk reviews to maintain the Group's low‑risk status. Support UK&I, AsiaPac tax audits, coordinating with local advisors and internal stakeholders.
• Process, Technology & Continuous Improvement: Review and enhance tax processes, systems, and interactions with other teams to drive efficiencies through automation, standardisation, and improved documentation.
• Team Leadership & Development: Provide leadership, coaching, and development opportunities to the tax team, helping build a strong succession pipeline. Set clear objectives, support professional qualifications, and foster a high‑performance culture within the tax department.
• Stakeholder Management: Act as a trusted adviser to senior finance leadership and functional heads, ensuring tax is considered in commercial decision‑making. Build strong relationships with external advisors.

This role requires an experienced and credible tax professional who combines strong technical capability with outstanding leadership qualities and sound judgement. Extensive post‑qualification experience in corporate tax, ideally within a FTSE‑listed or similarly complex multinational environment. In‑house experience is essential. Professionally qualified (ACA/ACCA/CTA or equivalent). Proven experience operating at a senior level within a tax function, with strong experience in M&A / divestments, tax reporting, compliance and international tax.

A natural leader who leads by example, builds trust quickly, and creates a positive, high‑performing team environment. Strong emotional intelligence with the ability to influence, challenge, and support stakeholders at all levels in a constructive and pragmatic manner.

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex tax matters into clear, practical guidance for non‑tax stakeholders. Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance technical rigour with pragmatic, business‑focused decision‑making. Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under pressure in a fast‑paced, listed environment.

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme
• Hybrid working
• 23 days holiday, plus 8 bank holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Death in service benefit
• Healthcare
• Free parking

At Rentokil Initial, our customers and colleagues represent diverse backgrounds and experiences. We take pride in being an equal opportunity employer, actively encouraging applications from individuals from all walks of life.