Director of Tax

The Group Tax Director is a senior finance role reporting to the Group Finance Director. The role is a hands on role which has overall responsibility for taxation within Costain Group with a primary VAT specialism. The role has a permanent team of three direct reports and is responsible for Costain’s relationship with HMRC, all tax planning, compliance, tax advice, tax training and tax accounting.

Team Management

• Lead and manage the tax team ensuring appropriate capability to deliver all tax compliance requirements.

• Supporting the team to manage internal and external stakeholders.

Tax Governance

• Creating and executing the Board approved tax strategy.

• Identifying and mitigating tax risk and preventing the facilitation of tax evasion in accordance with the Criminal Finances Act 2017.

• Ensuring the Group complies with all the tax legislation including oversight of corporate tax returns, VAT and CIS returns, compliance with employment taxes and managing the relationship with tax authorities.

• Manage SAO process with Chief Financial Officer.

Tax Planning

• Keeping abreast of emerging tax changes to ensure optimum planning and preparation is in place.

• Implement initiatives to continue to continue to maximise tax savings e.g. RDEC and VAT recoveries.

• Ensure working practices across the Group are amended as necessary to meet new tax requirements.

• Ensure Group policies and procedures are updated and staff required to process tax related transactions are appropriately trained.

Tax advisory

• Provide advice across the Group on tax related matters e.g. PAYE, VAT, P11D, CIS. Work with JV partners to ensure VAT and CIS returns and payments are made in a timely and accurate manner.

• Work with HR and Company Secretariat on remuneration tax matters e.g. IR35, LTIPs, share based bonus plans and severance payments.

Tax Accounting

• Ensure the team provides accurate taxation figures for half-year and annual consolidated result.

• Provide tax forecasts to cover both P&L and cash for quarterly forecasts and annual budgets.

Corporate activity

• Provide tax expertise for any corporate transactions including due diligence for potential acquisitions.

Tax and Finance Transformation

• Work with Group Finance Director, Head of Finance Transformation and Head of Shared Services to develop processes and digital solutions to improve tax compliance. Take a key role in the likely ERP implementation.

VAT focus

• The role holder will be the only VAT and CIS expert in the organization supported by an experienced tax manager and will be individually responsible for ensuring compliance and providing advice in this area.

• Suitable tax qualification and experience

• Deep practical knowledge and experience of VAT and CIS

• Familiar with working in a corporate commercial environment

• Committed to driving a highly compliant tax environment

• Able to communicate complex tax matters in a simple, effective way

• Ability to influence senior leaders

• High degree of personal initiative and drive

• Highly organized and good prioritization skills to meet key deadlines across all taxes.

• Experience in the construction sector is preferable