Group Head of International Tax and Transfer pricing

Location: This is a hybrid role, offering a combination of being able to work remotely and from our London office.

Contract Type: Permanent

The Opportunity

This role reports to VP Group Tax and has 2 direct reports. Assistant Head of Group Transfer Pricing and Manager Transfer Pricing. Peers are Global Head of Indirect Taxes, Technology and Transformation, Global Head of Reporting and Compliance, Group Finance team, Regional & Functional finance and controllership teams.

The Group Head of International Tax & Transfer Pricing is responsible for leading the Group's international tax and transfer pricing strategy, governance, risk management and compliance activities across all jurisdictions in which the Group operates. The role provides strategic tax leadership to support the Group's commercial objectives, growth initiatives, operating model and financing arrangements, while ensuring compliance with global tax regulations and maintaining a robust tax control framework. The role acts as the subject matter expert for international tax and transfer pricing matters, advising senior management on the tax and transfer pricing implications of business decisions, acquisitions, disposals, restructurings and new market entry. It also leads the development of global legal entity structuring and transfer pricing to maximise opportunities and minimising risks in-line with the Group Tax Strategy. As a key member of the Group Tax leadership team, the individual will partner closely with Finance, Treasury, Legal, Corporate Development, HR and business leadership teams globally.

What You Will Be Doing

International Tax Strategy

• Develop and implement the Group's international tax strategy, aligned with business objectives and the Group's tax principles.
• Provide strategic advice on international tax developments, emerging risks and opportunities.
• Lead tax input into business transformation programmes, operating model reviews and cross-border initiatives.
• Support executive management in assessing the tax implications of strategic decisions.
• Monitor global tax policy developments and evaluate their impact on the Group.

Transfer Pricing Leadership

• Own and oversee the Group's transfer pricing policy, framework and governance model.
• Ensure transfer pricing arrangements appropriately reflect the Group's value chain and business operations.
• Lead the design, implementation and maintenance of transfer pricing models across the organisation.
• Oversee preparation and review of transfer pricing documentation, including Master Files, Local Files, benchmarking and Country-by-Country Reporting requirements.
• Develop and oversee the global operational transfer pricing model, ensuring accurate and timely transfer pricing calculations, effective implementation across business units, governance of intercompany pricing processes, and alignment with OECD and local country requirements.
• Lead the management of tax audits globally, developing audit strategies and coordinating responses with local finance teams, external advisers, and tax authorities to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Proactively identify, assess, and manage international tax and transfer pricing risks, including the implementation and oversight of Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs), Mutual Agreement Procedures (MAPs), and other dispute prevention and resolution mechanisms.
• Drive continuous improvement in transfer pricing processes, data quality and technology solutions to enable efficiency, automation and risk reduction.

Tax Risk and Governance

• Lead the identification, assessment and management of international tax and transfer pricing risks.
• Ensure compliance with the Group Tax Risk Management Framework and corporate governance standards.
• Support the Head of Tax in maintaining appropriate tax governance and internal control processes.
• Provide technical oversight for uncertain tax positions and support tax provisioning activities under IFRS.
• Prepare briefing papers and recommend actions for senior management and governance committees.

M&A, Restructuring and Business Projects

• Lead tax due diligence, structuring and integration support for acquisitions, disposals andjoint ventures.
• Provide technical and practical advice from an international tax and transfer pricing perspective on legal entity rationalisation, supply chain changes and business reorganisations.
• Partner with Corporate Development, Legal and Finance teams to deliver tax-efficient commercial outcomes.
• Assess global tax and transfer pricing implications of financing structures, intellectual property arrangements and cross-border transactions.

Global Tax Compliance Support

• Work in close partnership with the Group Head of Reporting and Compliance to provide technical oversight, governance, and strategic direction for international corporate tax compliance, ensuring adherence to local filing obligations and group tax policies.
• Ensure all international tax and transfer pricing positions, risks, and exposures are appropriately identified, quantified, documented, and provided for in accordance with applicable accounting standards and Group Reporting requirements.
• Oversee the review and sign-off of tax provisions, uncertain tax positions, and transfer pricing adjustments, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and robust supporting documentation for external reporting and audit purposes.
• Maintain strong tax governance and control frameworks across international operations, ensuring compliance risks are effectively managed and reported to senior management and stakeholders.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the principal international tax and transfer pricing adviser to senior management across all businesses and geographies.
• Build strong relationships across Finance Leadership Team, Group Finance, Local Finance teams, Treasury, Legal, HR and operational leadership teams.
• Manage relationships with external advisers, auditors and tax authorities.
• Support the Head of Tax in interactions with the Audit Committee and external auditors as required.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing international tax and transfer pricing team
• As a member of the Tax Leadership Team ensure the development of the wider Global Tax team.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Develop capability within the broader finance organisation regarding international tax matters.
• Manage departmental budgets and external adviser spend.

Key Accountabilities

• Delivery of a robust, commercially aligned international tax strategy.
• Effective management of the Group's transfer pricing framework.
• Maintenance of low tax risk and strong governance standards.
• Successful management of tax authority audits and enquiries.
• High-quality support for strategic projects, M&A and business change initiatives.
• Development and retention of a capable and engaged tax team.
• Delivery of accurate and timely tax advice to stakeholders.

What You’ll Bring

• Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA), ACA, CA, ACCA or equivalent professional qualification.
• Degree-qualified in Accounting, Finance, Tax, Law or a related discipline.
• Advanced international tax and transfer pricing expertise.

• Significant post-qualification experience within a multinational corporate group.
• Proven experience leading international tax and transfer pricing functions in a complex global organisation.
• Strong knowledge of OECD transfer pricing guidelines and international tax principles.
• Experience managing tax controversy and interactions with tax authorities.
• Demonstrated involvement in M&A, restructurings and global transformation projects.
• Experience operating in a UK PLC or listed company environment preferred.

• UK and international corporate tax.
• OECD Pillar Two and global minimum tax rules.
• Transfer pricing planning, compliance, operations and controversy.
• Tax accounting and reporting under IFRS.
• Cross-border financing and treasury taxation.
• M&A and corporate restructuring.
• Tax governance and internal controls.

We Are RS

At RS, we are making amazing happen for a better world.

As a global product and service solutions provider, we help industrial customers operate more efficiently and sustainably. Operating in 33 markets, we support around one million customers worldwide with more than 875,000 stocked products, access to over five million additional products, and a range of service solutions designed to help businesses thrive.

What sets us apart is our people. More than 8,500 colleagues around the world bring technical expertise, digital innovation, and a customer first mindset to everything we do. Guided by our values – We are one team, We deliver brilliantly, We do the right thing, and We make every day better, we're creating an environment where our people can grow, contribute and make a meaningful impact.

Join us and help make amazing happen.

Rewards

Our Reward Strategy Philosophy is designed to offer market competitive base salaries and provide all of our people the opportunity to participate in a short-term incentive, enabling them to share in the success of the Company.

Our total reward package is more than just the cash; our recognition and benefit offering provide the opportunity for us to recognise, reward and enable the wellbeing of our people at all stages of their journey with RS. Our rewards and benefits vary by country, but include:

• Financial - pension/retirement; life assurance; salary finance (payroll deduction loan scheme)
• Wellbeing - medical plans; health screening; critical illness; disability insurance; holiday / paid time off; employee assistance programme; discounted gym/health club membership
• Lifestyle - transportation assistance schemes (e.g., cycle to work, travel loans, car leasing); onsite catering/lunch vouchers; retail discounts
• Spotlight – our global recognition programme provides a platform to highlight and recognise people role modelling our values

Ready to Make Amazing Happen?

Join over 8,500 colleagues and help us shape the future of our industry. Whoever you are, wherever you are — it all starts here.

Apply now and make RS a part of your journey.