International Tax Audit, Planning & Projects

Associate Director - International Tax Audit, Planning & Projects

Location: Reading or London (Hybrid Working - 2-3 Days Onsite)

Contract Length: 12 Months

Rate: Competitive hourly rate

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director - International Tax Audit, Planning & Projects to join a high-performing global tax function. This role will be responsible for leading international tax planning initiatives, managing tax audits and disputes, supporting M&A activity, and driving complex tax-related projects across multiple jurisdictions outside the US.

The successful candidate will act as a key strategic partner to finance, legal, treasury, and business stakeholders, while leading a team of tax professionals and identifying opportunities to improve tax processes through technology and automation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage international tax planning initiatives, restructuring activities, and strategic tax projects across multiple jurisdictions outside the US.
• Provide tax support and advice on mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions.
• Manage and oversee tax audits, enquiries, disputes, and litigation matters with tax authorities globally.
• Oversee all aspects of the international corporate tax compliance lifecycle, including tax returns, reviews, reporting requirements, and stakeholder management.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with tax authorities and external advisors.
• Collaborate with senior tax leadership to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and efficiency of international tax processes.
• Partner closely with Finance, Accounting, Legal, Treasury, and FP&A teams to deliver compliant and commercially effective tax solutions.
• Drive process improvements and enhance operational efficiency through the use of automation and digital technologies, including AI, Alteryx, Qlik, and other finance transformation tools.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of tax professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Extensive experience within corporate and international taxation, ideally gained within a large multinational environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of corporate income tax principles and international tax matters.
• Proven experience managing tax audits, disputes, and compliance obligations across multiple jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated experience leading tax planning projects and supporting corporate transactions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Strong leadership capabilities with experience managing and developing teams.

Preferred Experience

• Professional tax or accounting qualification such as CTA, CPA, Master's in Tax, or Master's in Accounting.
• Experience using OneSource Tax Provision, SAP, or similar tax and finance systems.
• Strong data management, automation, and process improvement experience.
• Exposure to Alteryx, Qlik, AI-enabled solutions, or other digital finance tools.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and work effectively within complex global organisations.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and consensus-building skills.
• Proven ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining focus on key business objectives.