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. As a senior leader, the individual will bridge the gap between high-level tax strategy and practical execution, ensuring that the group remains fully compliant with evolving legislation and maintains a transparent, low-risk relationship with tax authorities.

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 head office tax team in the UK comprises:

• Group Tax Director
• Interim tax lead (12 month contract)
• Senior Tax Director (UK&I, AsiaPac)
• Regional Tax Director (EMEA, LATAM)
• Tax Reporting Director
• International Tax Manager
• Tax Reporting Manager
• UK Tax Compliance Manager
• Transfer Pricing Manager
• Senior Tax Analyst
• Tax Assistant

The group team is responsible for, amongst other things, all UK corporation tax computations and returns, group tax reporting and forecasting, international tax planning, business partnering with overseas teams and support with tax audits, review of worldwide intercompany debt arrangements, formulating and implementing the group’s transfer pricing strategy, provision of tax support to the group’s mergers and acquisitions team and provision of advice and support to the businesses on UK payroll taxes and UK VAT.

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

Responsibilities

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.
• Ad hoc support in overseas tax reviews during year end and interim reporting periods.
• Maintain responsibility for the UK corporate tax compliance process, including review / sign off of c.30 UK corporation tax returns prepared by the Big 4, and oversight of the internal team (Tax Compliance Manager and Senior Tax Analyst). This includes driving ongoing improvements in process efficiency, focusing on identifying and implementing automation opportunities.
• Monitor the Pillar 2 tax profile of UK&I which are not within the safe harbours.
• Lead on the UK&I, AsiaPac Pillar 2 compliance. The global Pillar 2 Compliance is outsourced to the Big 4 and led by the Tax Reporting Director.
• Ensure optimal utilisation of group tax attributes (e.g., losses, group relief, CIR capacity) and evaluate impacts of changes to UK tax legislation. This includes proactive monitoring of UK CIR capacity including making recommendations for improvement.
• Oversee UK employment tax compliance (P11Ds, PSA, STBV, share scheme reporting) and provide support on UK VAT issues / returns and indirect tax queries, handled by the Senior Tax Analyst and UK Tax Compliance Manager.

International Tax & Transfer Pricing

• Establish, manage and monitor compliance with the Group’s transfer pricing framework and documentation requirements, including all cross border pricing of intragroup transactions. This will be led / heavily supported by the Transfer Pricing Manager which is a recently created role.
• Develop a strong understanding of key international tax regimes impacting the group tax profile. The group is in 90 countries but 12 countries make up over 85% of the group tax charge.
• Ensuring visibility of local compliance processes and monitoring emerging tax risks in the UK&I, AsiaPac region.
• Liaise with regional finance teams to ensure deadlines are met, tax filings are accurate, and tax positions across jurisdictions are risk‑appropriate.

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.
• Review credit rating analyses and intercompany financing benchmarking to support arm’s length interest rates and financing arrangements. This will be led by the Transfer Pricing Manager.
• Manage the UK taxable foreign exchange position (through tax matching loans) while optimising the UK Pillar 2 profile.
• Leading on cash repatriation across the group.

Advisory, Projects & Business Partnering

• Provide technical tax advice on UK tax matters and proactively identify tax opportunities and risk mitigations.
• Support the Group Tax Director in partnering with group functions to understand their priorities and how the Group Tax Function can support those.
• Support strategic / one‑off project work for the Group Tax Director, including cross‑functional initiatives.
• Lead tax aspects of group reorganisations to ensure the structure remains aligned with strategic and tax‑efficiency objectives.

M&A / Divestment support

• Lead on M&A (mainly UK&I, AsiaPac), including tax due diligence, structuring and funding recommendations, SPA/tax deed/warranty reviews, and post‑acquisition integration considerations.
• Lead the tax input on group divestments, including vendor due diligence, pre‑sale structuring and cash repatriation recommendations and SPA/tax deed/warranty reviews.

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 to ensure consistent and well‑defended positions. There are local tax managers in India and Indonesia supporting the tax audits in those countries.

Process, Technology & Continuous Improvement

• Review and enhance tax processes, systems, and interactions with other teams to drive efficiencies through automation, standardisation, and improved documentation.
• Champion digital transformation initiatives within the tax team, including use of tax technology tools and data analytics.

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 and ensure efficient use of adviser spend.

Requirements

This role requires an experienced and credible tax professional who combines strong technical capability with outstanding leadership qualities and sound judgement. As a trusted deputy to the Group Tax Director, the individual will play a key role in shaping the culture, effectiveness, and reputation of the tax function. While technical expertise is important, equal weight is placed on leadership style, integrity, and the ability to operate effectively within a complex, global organisation going through a period of change.

Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive post‑qualification experience in corporate tax, ideally within a FTSE‑listed or similarly complex multinational environment. In‑house experience is essential.
• Experience working for a US listed organisation is also beneficial as 60% of the group is based in the US.
• 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.
• Strong technical understanding of UK tax legislation (including VAT), with good knowledge of key international tax regimes. The key countries relevant for Rentokil are US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.
• Experience engaging with tax authorities (e.g. HMRC) and managing enquiries.
• Demonstrated involvement in cross‑border projects, business transformations, or group reorganisations.

Leadership & Cultural Fit

• 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.
• Comfortable operating as a “number two” — able to take ownership, provide independent thought, and step in seamlessly when required, while maintaining alignment with the Group Tax Director.
• Collaborative and low‑ego approach, with a willingness to roll up sleeves when needed and support the wider team.
• Acts with integrity and sound judgement, particularly when navigating complex, ambiguous or sensitive issues.
• Committed to developing others, with a genuine interest in coaching and mentoring team members.

Skills & Attributes

• 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.
• Proactive and forward‑thinking, with a continuous improvement mindset and a focus on driving efficiencies.
• Comfortable dealing with ambiguity and complexity, and able to exercise sound judgement where there is no clear “right answer”.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across finance, treasury, legal, and international teams.
• High level of personal accountability, ownership, and resilience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme
• Hybrid working
• Rentokil Initial Reward Scheme
• 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. Our belief is that everyone irrespective of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs, has the potential to thrive and contribute. We embrace the differences that make each of our colleagues unique, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can be their authentic selves and feel a sense of belonging. To ensure that your journey with us is accessible if you have any individual requirements we invite you to communicate any specific needs or preferences you may have during any stage of the recruitment process. Our team is available to support you; feel free to reach out to (joanna.sharpe@rentokil-initial.com) if you need anything.