Head of Group Taxation

Head of Group Taxation

Location

, GB

Department Name

Finance

About Network Rail

About Network Rail…

🌟 Join Our Team at Network Rail! 🌟

Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country.

We're dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we're committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone.

Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!

Vacancy Details

Duration: 12 month Secondment (Internal) or 12 month Fixed Term Contract (External) with the potential to go permanent. (Please note, secondments are subject to line manager approval, please discuss this with them before applying).

Location: Nationwide, (Base location to be confirmed) This role is a full-time opportunity, flexible working patterns will be considered.

Band & Salary: Band 2C £85,395 - £96,070

Closing date: 18th November. On occasions, we may need to close the advert early based upon application volumes. Late applications may not be accepted.

Next Steps: Interviews will be held W/C 25th November, depending on business requirements.

Brief Description

Who are we looking for?

To continue to operate at the standard that places us “amongst the best Accounting, Tax and Finance Discipline leadership team” in the public sector we are seeking a top-class Group Taxation specialist.  It’s an exciting place to work as we support a business that recently has been  responsible for about an eighth of all UK construction- so when it comes to recruitment we set the bar high.

You will provide leadership on all taxation matters across a multiple £billion business and whilst there are few typical days this role offers the chance to bring leadership skills and technical acumen to bear to make sure our business makes the best decisions.

If you can show exemplary leadership; make sense of the complex UK tax code; advise a team of seasoned professionals; not afraid to roll up your sleeves when necessary (to cover absences and peak workflow) but are equally comfortable advising Board members through to Project Managers, this could be the perfect role for you.

About the role (External)

About the team..

Group Taxation is a team within Finance.  Our diverse and high-achieving team is responsible for ensuring we secure appropriate funding and get the best possible value for the money we spend, driving forward our continuing mission to transform the UK’s rail network into a world-class infrastructure. Supported by a team of 5 financial professionals, you will provide leadership to our Group Taxation function in supporting the business, delivering the group tax strategy, managing tax risks and achieving specific objectives.

What does the average day look like?

In this role, you will develop and implement a comprehensive tax strategy, guiding the Excom Board on tax matters, legislative changes, and risks, while ensuring Board alignment and clear performance reporting. You’ll lead statutory tax compliance, protecting the business from penalties, and manage HMRC relations to secure optimal tax outcomes for Network Rail and its employees. Collaborating with bodies like the Department for Transport and HM Treasury, you’ll work to optimise tax recovery and minimise penalties. Overseeing Group Tax processes, you’ll ensure precise, compliant financial reporting. Managing the annual Senior Accounting Officer process, you’ll enhance tax systems and controls, mitigating risks and ensuring timely submissions. You’ll provide expert tax advice, raise awareness of tax issues, and promote cross-departmental collaboration to reduce risk. Partnering with stakeholders, you’ll offer strategic guidance on tax matters, supporting informed decision-making across the organisation.

Essential Criteria

·Full accounting qualification from CIMA or a CCAB (Central Council of Accounting Bodies) body  Holds a professional tax qualification (ATII, ATT) or has extensive successful post qualification experience in a  senior tax role

·Has experience working in a large organisation having had exposure to all aspects of International Accounting Standards and generally accepted accounting principles

·Comprehensive knowledge of all UK tax legislation, in particular that relating to corporation tax, capital gains tax, value added tax and all elements of employment taxes

·Extensive successful experience of leading a tax department with a commercial approach in a large FTSE sized entity

·Strong internal and external stakeholder management skills with proven experience in successfully managing a relationship with HMRC or any other relevant external regulatory body

·Demonstrable excellent negotiating & influencing skills with both internal and external stakeholders

·Proven to successfully manage, develop and motivate a team of technical specialist professionals and is able to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities

·Strong commercial and proactive approach

·Works well under pressure, with the ability to prioritise and handle competing demands

How to apply (External)

Additional Information…

We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!

We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our Safety Vision

You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

Some of our great benefits:

🌍 Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.

🌞 Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.

🎁 Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.

 Defined benefit pension scheme

🚂 75% subsidy on train tickets.

🎟️ Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.

🕊️ Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.

Plus more….

BPSS

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information