At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead corporate tax compliance across Europe, focusing on Germany and collaborating with finance leaders.
- Company: Rapidly growing global organisation with a dynamic work culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, relocation package, and UK visa sponsorship available.
- Other info: Opportunity to inspire and develop a team in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on international tax strategy while developing cross-border expertise.
- Qualifications: Degree or chartered tax advisor qualification with solid corporate tax experience.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ 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 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'll 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 — you'll 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.
Direct Tax, Senior Manager - EMEA employer: The Language Business
Contact Detail:
The Language Business Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Direct Tax, Senior Manager - EMEA
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend tax seminars, workshops, or even casual meet-ups. Building relationships can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Show Off Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back on showcasing your knowledge of direct tax, especially in relation to Germany. Share insights and experiences that highlight your skills and make you stand out.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to tax compliance and strategy. Be ready to discuss how you’d handle specific challenges in the role, especially those involving cross-border complexities.
✨Apply Through Our Website
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 are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Direct Tax, Senior Manager - EMEA
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Manager, Direct Tax role. Highlight your expertise in tax compliance, especially related to Germany, and any leadership experience you have. We want to see how you can make a real difference in our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your collaborative approach and how you can inspire others—this is key for us at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Language Skills: If you speak any European languages, especially German, make sure to highlight that in your application. It’s a great advantage for this position and shows us you’re ready to tackle cross-border challenges head-on!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Language Business
✨Know Your Tax Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of corporate tax compliance, especially in relation to Germany and other European markets. Be ready to discuss specific tax regulations and how they impact business operations, as this will show your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨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 or fostered a collaborative environment in previous roles. This will highlight your leadership style and fit for the company culture.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific tax compliance scenarios or audits. Think through potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
✨Build Relationships
Since the role involves working closely with various departments, be prepared to discuss how you've built relationships across teams in the past. Share examples of how collaboration has led to successful outcomes, as this will demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment.