Head of Tax Operations, Governance, & Transformation

Location/s: Croydon, UK
Recruiter contact: Erinda Hazizi

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

Overview of the role

Mott MacDonald is seeking an accomplished Head of Tax Operations, Governance & Transformation to lead critical initiatives in our global tax function. Reporting to the Group Head of Tax and as a key member of the Tax leadership team, you will drive the evolution of our tax operating model, ensuring robust compliance and reporting, effective governance controls, and the smart use of technology to enhance efficiency. This high-impact role will shape strategic tax direction in partnership with senior finance and accounting stakeholders, playing a pivotal part in the continued excellence and innovation of Mott MacDonald’s tax function. 

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Lead the Group tax reporting process
  • Manage end-to-end corporate tax reporting cycles and filings, ensuring timely, accurate outputs. Proactively identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, data accuracy, and control within tax reporting
• Oversee BEPS Pillar II compliance and reporting
  • Take ownership of the Group’s obligations under the OECD Pillar II global minimum tax rules, including accurate internal reporting and timely submissions to HMRC and other relevant authorities. Ensure the company is fully prepared for new Pillar II disclosure requirements as they evolve
• Drive the Global R&D Tax Credit strategy
  • Oversee and optimize Mott MacDonald’s approach to R&D tax credits across all jurisdictions. Stay up to date with relevant legislation and scheme rules and work closely with business units to identify qualifying activities. Through effective stakeholder engagement and clear communication, maximise the value of R&D claims in line with governing laws
• Enhance tax governance and controls
  • Design, implement, and continuously refine robust tax governance frameworks and internal control environments that meet or exceed global tax authority expectations. Ensure our tax risk management practices and compliance controls align with the highest standards and the group’s overall risk framework. This includes maintaining policies, processes and Key Controls that foster transparency and accuracy in all tax matters
• Champion tax technology and innovation
  • Lead the adoption of advanced tax technologies, automation tools, and AI-driven solutions to improve tax operations. Leverage data analytics and digital tools to streamline tax compliance, reporting and analysis, driving greater efficiency and insight. Stay abreast of emerging tax tech trends and proactively implement solutions (e.g. tax reporting software, data dashboards) that keep the function future ready
• Strategic leadership and collaboration
  • Work closely with the Group Head of Tax on setting the strategic direction of the tax operating model and global tax strategy. Act as a trusted deputy and advisor on tax operations matters, contributing to strategic initiatives that align the tax function with broader business objectives. Provide thought leadership within the Tax Senior Leadership Team and communicate complex tax issues and transformation plans in clear terms to executives and non-tax stakeholders
• Cross-functional partnership
  • Collaborate extensively with the Statutory Accounting and wider Finance teams to ensure tax reporting is fully aligned with financial reporting cycles and standards. Foster strong relationships with Finance, Accounting, IT and business unit leaders to promote a unified approach to financial compliance. Work together on improving data quality and closing any gaps between accounting and tax data, especially in the context of new reporting requirements
• Pillar II task force leadership
  • Chair a cross-functional BEPS Pillar II Task Force focused on continuously refining our Pillar II reporting and compliance processes. Lead this team in pragmatically addressing data gaps, improving data collection systems, and developing best practices so that Mott MacDonald stays ahead of evolving global minimum tax requirements. Ensure that lessons learned and process enhancements are integrated into business-as-usual operations for sustainable compliance and reporting

Candidate specification

• Experience: To have progressive tax experience, primarily in tax compliance and reporting roles for large multinational organizations. A proven track record of managing complex tax compliance and reporting obligations and delivering improvements in tax processes is essential.
• “Hands on Mindset”: key reporting deliverables within the business require that a major component of this role is, initially, hands-on in relation to tax reporting and it is expected the successful candidate will be actively engaged with the details and tasks necessary to meet the objectives of the Finance Team and to be able to provide cover for the Head of Tax Compliance & Reporting as and when required
• Professional Qualification: Fully qualified tax or accounting professional (e.g. CTA, ACA or equivalent) with strong technical grounding in UK tax; additional international tax expertise is also highly valued
• Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of tax technology and automation tools, and demonstrable experience leveraging AI/data analytics to enhance tax function efficiency. You are adept with modern tax software or ERP tax modules and understand how to use technology to streamline compliance and reporting
• Tax Governance & Risk: Strong familiarity with tax governance frameworks and controls (e.g. Senior Accounting Officer requirements, tax risk management processes) and the ability to advocate for robust tax control environments at a senior level. You can clearly communicate the importance of tax compliance and risk management to executive stakeholders and boards
• Leadership & Influence: Proven leadership capabilities, including experience building and mentoring high-performing teams and leading cross-functional initiatives through change. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills are a must – you can influence and collaborate effectively with finance leaders, auditors, and operational teams at all levels
• Broad Background: A career that spans both public practice and industry is highly desirable. Experience within a Big 4 accounting firm or similar advisory environment, combined with in-house corporate tax leadership, is preferred to bring both strategic insight and practical implementation experience.

This opportunity offers the chance to shape the tax operations of a major global company and drive innovation in a critical business function. We seek a dynamic, forward-thinking tax leader who can ensure Mott MacDonald’s tax function remains compliant, efficient, and at the forefront of industry best practice. If you have the expertise and vision to excel in this role, we would be excited to hear from you. 

Please be advised that offers for this role are conditional upon obtaining the appropriate level of Security Clearance.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working  

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

 Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.