About us
Avencia Talent Solutions are working exclusively with a Specialty Insurer based in the City who have a newly created position for a Group Head of Tax to join.
This role will be based on site in our London office.
The role
The Group Head of Corporate Tax is a senior leadership role responsible for defining and executing the Group’s global tax strategy, ensuring full direct and indirect tax compliance across multiple jurisdictions while optimising tax efficiency in line with commercial objectives.
Reporting to the Chief Accounting Officer (CAO), the role will act as a key adviser to the CAO, Group CFO, and senior management team, influencing strategic decisions across underwriting, capital deployment and organizational expansion.
Key accountabilities
Tax Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and implement a Group-wide corporate tax strategy aligned with business objectives and risk appetite
- Advise the CAO, CFO and senior leadership on the tax implications of strategic initiatives, including new markets, products, capital deployment and the impacts of changing tax legislation
- Lead tax planning activities to support commercial growth while ensuring alignment with regulatory and legislative frameworks
Compliance & Reporting
- Ensure accurate and timely compliance with all corporate tax obligations across relevant jurisdictions (UK, Bermuda, EU and others)
- Oversee the preparation and submission of:
- Corporation tax returns
- VAT and indirect tax filings
- Transfer pricing documentation and reporting
- Manage tax accounting for Group and legal entity financial reporting, including effective tax rate, provisions and disclosures
- Ensure compliance with UK Senior Accounting Officer (SAO) requirements and equivalent global regulations
Governance & Risk Management
- Establish and maintain a robust tax governance and control framework
- Manage the Group’s tax risk register, ensuring early identification and mitigation of tax risks
- Lead interactions with tax authorities (e.g. HMRC) and manage audits, enquiries and disputes
- Ensure alignment with OECD principles, including transfer pricing and substance requirements
Advisory & Business Partnering
- Provide technical tax advice across the Group, including:
- Underwriting structures
- Reinsurance arrangements
- Strategic investments
- Partner closely with the CAO, Finance, Legal, Underwriting and Operations to ensure tax considerations are embedded in decision-making
- Evaluate tax implications of cross-border transactions and global structuring initiatives
International Tax & Structuring
- Oversee transfer pricing frameworks and intercompany arrangements
- Advise on international expansion and jurisdictional structuring to optimise tax outcomes
- Monitor global tax developments (e.g. OECD Pillar Two, BEPS) and assess impact on the Group
Team Leadership & External Advisors
- Lead a high-performing global tax function
- Manage relationships with external advisors across jurisdictions where specialist expertise is required
- Drive continuous improvement in tax processes, systems and reporting capabilities
Skills & experience
Experience & Qualifications
- Qualified tax professional (CTA, ACA or equivalent)
- Significant experience in a senior tax leadership role, ideally within financial services, insurance or reinsurance
- Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP
- Strong knowledge of UK corporate tax, international tax and tax accounting principles
- Experience operating across multi-jurisdictional environments
Skills & Capabilities
- Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen
- Deep technical expertise across corporate and international tax
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and Committee-level decision-making
- Strong leadership and team development capability
- Excellent communication skills, translating complex tax matters for non-specialists
