At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead corporate tax compliance across Europe, focusing on Germany and strategic audits.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing global organisation with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, hybrid work, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on international tax strategy while developing your expertise.
- Qualifications: Fluent in English; degree or chartered tax advisor qualification required.
- Other info: Visa sponsorship and relocation assistance available for international candidates.
The predicted salary is between 86000 - 86000 £ per year.
Location: Chester, North West England (Hybrid: 2–3 days per week in-office). Relocation package and UK VISA SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE.
Languages: Fluent English required. Fluency in any 2nd European language, German in particular, is an advantage but not essential.
The Company: Our client is a highly successful global organisation experiencing rapid growth across European markets. To support this expansion, they are seeking an International Senior Tax Manager to lead all corporate tax matters related to their business operations in Europe, in particular Germany.
The Role of the Senior Manager, Direct Tax: As the Senior Direct Tax Manager, you will play a key role in overseeing tax compliance across their European entities, working closely with senior finance and business leaders, shaping compliance strategy, and making a real difference to the group international tax landscape. With a primary focus on Germany, as well as other key countries in Europe, you will own meaningful, high-profile work while developing deep cross-border expertise that sets you apart in your field.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead tax audits strategically in close collaboration with local finance teams.
- Drive risk management at a senior level by building and maintaining a risk register, drawing on input from payroll and indirect tax colleagues, and present your findings directly to the Finance Director and General Manager each quarter.
- Own end-to-end tax compliance for Germany (and select European markets), leading the planning and execution of local tax requirements.
- Influence global tax strategy by supporting US GAAP provision, projection and contingency reporting, contributing to transfer pricing documentation, and aligning global tax requirements with local German regulations.
- Advise the Head of Finance in local markets across Europe, proactively educating colleagues on legislative changes, and providing practical tax support on operational issues as they arise.
- Build relationships across tax, finance, legal, treasury, HR, customs, and external advisers.
- Leverage technology to create smarter, more efficient calculations that support tax returns and provisions.
- Lead, develop and inspire the team — coach junior colleagues, encourage every voice to be heard, and foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous development.
- Manage budgets with strategic foresight — planning internal resourcing, maximising knowledge retention in-house, and ensuring external adviser spend is well-planned and transparent.
Candidate Profile:
- Fluent English required. Fluency in any 2nd European language, ideally German, is helpful but not essential.
- Educated to degree or chartered tax advisor qualification.
- Solid professional experience in a large corporate tax environment (in-house or advisory).
- Experience working within a global or regional tax team.
- A track record of managing and developing people.
- Strong knowledge of accounting provisions, audit requirements, and financial statement disclosures.
- Familiarity with US GAAP is an advantage.
- The ability to balance big-picture thinking with sharp attention to detail.
- Comfort navigating ambiguity, competing priorities, and cross-border complexities.
- A collaborative, inclusive leadership style, someone who actively brings quieter voices into the conversation.
- Experience working on Germany-related tax matters (in-house, advisory, or with German entities) is helpful but not essential.
Salary & Benefits:
- Highly competitive - up to £86,000 per year.
- 14% annual bonus + £7,000 car allowance.
- Eligible for participation in the company’s Long Term Incentive program, subject to plan rules.
- Family cover healthcare.
- Attractive contributory pension scheme.
- Hybrid working, 50% home / 50% office, giving you flexibility and balance.
- 26 days holiday, plus bank holidays, plus festive shutdown.
- Career and qualifications support, we invest in your growth.
- Modern office with a range of on-site benefits, including on-site parking.
- Visa sponsorship & generous relocation assistance for professionals outside the UK.
How to Apply: To be considered, please send your CV to: Jonathan Grimes.
Senior Manager, Direct Tax - Europe in Chester employer: The Language Business - Language Recruitment Specialists
Contact Detail:
The Language Business - Language Recruitment Specialists Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager, Direct Tax - Europe in Chester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the tax field, especially those with experience in European markets. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s tax strategies and recent developments in European tax law. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who’s genuinely interested in their business.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, particularly around German tax matters. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager, Direct Tax - Europe in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Senior Manager, Direct Tax role. Highlight your tax compliance experience, especially if you've worked with German regulations or in a global tax team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've led tax audits or influenced tax strategy in previous roles, and don't forget to show your enthusiasm for joining our team!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing and developing a team, make sure to highlight your leadership style. Share instances where you've inspired your team or fostered collaboration, as we value inclusive leadership at StudySmarter.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Language Business - Language Recruitment Specialists
✨Know Your Tax Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of corporate tax matters, especially those related to Germany and other European markets. Be ready to discuss specific tax compliance strategies and how you've navigated complex tax regulations in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire a team. Prepare examples of how you've developed junior colleagues and fostered a collaborative environment. Highlight any experiences where you've successfully managed competing priorities.
✨Understand the Company’s Global Strategy
Research the company's global tax strategy and be prepared to discuss how your role will influence it. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to shaping their international tax landscape.
✨Build Relationships
Emphasise your ability to build relationships across various departments. Prepare to share examples of how you've collaborated with finance, legal, and external advisers in previous roles. This will show that you understand the importance of teamwork in achieving tax compliance.