Senior Manager - Taxation in Manchester

About Us

Rolls‑Royce SMR is here to transform how nuclear energy is delivered—cleaner, faster and at global scale. Our teams are developing one of the world’s most advanced small modular reactors, helping secure affordable, low‑carbon energy for generations to come. We’re doing something that’s never been done before. We’re revolutionising an industry. That’s a once-in-a-career opportunity for those excited by such a challenge. This is more than just a job; this is a legacy.

Role Purpose

Lead the Company's UK and international tax agenda, ensuring robust compliance, governance and risk management while providing proactive advice on international expansion, cross-border activity and commercial decisions. The role will identify tax opportunities and build a scalable in-house tax capability as the business grows.

What we’ll need you to do

• Ensure that all UK and overseas tax registrations, filings and payments are accurate, complete and delivered on time across relevant jurisdictions.
• Develop a proportionate tax strategy, governance framework and control environment which can be maintained and evidenced.
• Ensure that tax risks and opportunities associated with international projects, supply chains, contracts and new territories are identified early and addressed effectively.
• Current and deferred tax balances, forecasts and statutory disclosures are accurate, well supported and audit-ready.
• R&D incentive claims are robust, maximised appropriately and submitted within agreed timelines.
• Provide senior stakeholders with clear, commercially focused tax advice that supports sound decision-making.
• Develop a scalable tax operating model and future team structure as the business expands.

What we’re looking for

• Tax technical expertise: Significant corporate tax experience gained in industry, practice or both. Strong knowledge of UK corporation tax, VAT and tax accounting, with sound understanding of international tax, indirect taxes, withholding taxes, permanent establishments and transfer pricing.
• International and commercial experience: Demonstrable experience supporting overseas operations, cross-border transactions, new market entry, supply chains and commercial contracts. Able to translate complex tax issues into practical, commercially balanced recommendations.
• Governance, compliance and reporting: Proven ability to manage multi-tax and multi-jurisdiction compliance, develop tax policies and controls, oversee current and deferred tax reporting, manage audits and maintain high-quality documentation.
• Leadership and stakeholder influence: Credible senior business partner able to influence leadership, work across Finance, Legal, Commercial, Procurement, HR and Projects, manage external advisers and explain tax matters clearly to non-specialists.
• Building capability and delivering change: Hands-on, organised and improvement-focused. Experience leading complex tax projects and the capability to design a scalable tax operating model, mentor colleagues and build an in-house tax team as the business grows.

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA, CTA or equivalent professional qualification required; equivalent demonstrable senior tax experience may be considered.
• Ongoing professional development sufficient to maintain current knowledge of UK and international tax developments.
• Experience of R&D incentives, including RDEC or successor regimes, is desirable.

Location & Ways of Working

This role can be based in Manchester or Derby, with flexibility to work between home and the office depending on business needs. There may be some travel required on an ad hoc basis.

What’s in It for You

A salary between £71,000 - £93,200, £5,000 benefit allowance, 17% bonus opportunity, 6x pensionable life assurance, 50% income protection, 28 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, Standard Rolls‑Royce SMR pension, 12% Employer Match, 37.5‑hour working week with flexibility, and a £250 new‑joiner payment—alongside opportunities for development and progression.

Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a competency‑based interview and may be asked to provide evidence of document management capability. This role requires BPSS checks as part of our onboarding process.

Inclusion & Accessibility

We’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued. If you meet around 75% of the criteria, we’d still love to hear from you. We’re happy to discuss reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and offer flexible or part‑time working where possible.

We are Rolls-Royce SMR

Rolls-Royce SMR is a rare employer because it blends the world-class brand of Rolls Royce with an exciting start-up that has a hugely challenging mission. We’re doing work that contributes to the survival of the planet. Because of our mission, there’s a pace and energy that is palpable, and our leaders draw you in with their passion, energy, and determination. We’re one of a handful of employers who can genuinely say we’re a strengths-based organisation – our people are here because of what makes them great, and our job is to help them make the best contribution of their careers doing work they love.

The start-up mentality coupled with our strengths-approach to people means there are opportunities to grow in ways and jobs you probably would be barred from doing in more traditional companies.

Each Rolls-Royce SMR power station will have the capacity to generate 470MW of low carbon energy, equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes. It will provide consistent baseload generation for at least 60 years, helping to support the roll out of renewable generation and overcome intermittency issues.

Pay Range: £71,000.00-£93,187.50

Why Join Us?

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation. We offer:

• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you. Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector-jump, please get in touch – we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.

Our Application Process

Due to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in additional screening. These are:

• Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance
• Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check