Head of International Tax

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 exceptional Head of International Tax to lead and continue to develop its global international tax function.

Operating within a highly international engineering consultancy group with operations across more than 50 countries, the successful candidate will provide strategic leadership across all aspects of international taxation. They will partner closely with business leaders, finance teams, legal teams and external advisers to support growth, manage tax risk and ensure compliance with an increasingly complex global tax landscape.

The role combines technical excellence with commercial awareness and requires a leader capable of influencing senior stakeholders, translating complex tax considerations into practical business advice and building a world-class international tax capability.

The successful candidate will play a central role in helping Mott MacDonald achieve its objectives through proactive business partnering, effective risk management, tax-efficient structuring and robust governance.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

International Tax Strategy

• Develop and implement the Group's international tax strategy in alignment with commercial objectives and the Group Tax Strategy
• Provide strategic leadership on cross-border tax matters across the Group
• Monitor global tax developments and assess their impact on the Group's business model and operating structure
• Identify opportunities to optimise tax outcomes while maintaining full compliance with legal and regulatory obligations
• Support the Group Head of Tax and Executive leadership on significant international tax matters

Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted adviser to business leaders, finance teams and project directors on international tax matters
• Support major bids, contracts and commercial arrangements by assessing tax implications and providing practical recommendations
• Provide tax input into new market entry strategies, business expansions and organisational changes
• Build tax awareness throughout the organisation to improve decision-making and reduce risk

International Tax Advisory

• Lead advisory support across areas including:
  • Permanent establishment risk
  • Cross-border structuring
  • Withholding taxes
  • International aspects of indirect taxes (working with MM's Head of Indirect Tax)
  • Branch versus subsidiary structures
  • Profit repatriation planning
  • Tax treaty interpretation
  • Financing structures and interest deductibility
  • Joint ventures and strategic partnerships
  • International employment and mobility tax issues (working with MM's Head of Employment Tax and Expat Tax Manager)
  • Operational tax matters arising from major projects and contracts

Governance and Risk Management

• Lead the Group's approach to international tax risk management
• Develop and maintain appropriate controls within the Tax Risk Management Framework
• Ensure consistent application of international tax positions across jurisdictions
• Oversee management of significant tax audits, enquiries, disputes and investigations
• Provide guidance on uncertain tax positions and support appropriate governance and escalation processes
• Maintain strong relationships with tax authorities, advisers and key stakeholders

Global Tax Compliance and Tax Accounting Oversight

• Although primary responsibility for day-to-day compliance may sit elsewhere, the Head of International Tax will:
  • Provide technical oversight of international corporation tax compliance activities
  • Support the tax reporting and tax accounting process by assessing international tax risks and positions
  • Review significant tax provisions and uncertain tax positions
  • Ensure appropriate governance over tax accounting impacts arising from international tax matters
  • Work closely with the Head of Direct Tax and Reporting regarding tax reporting, controls and disclosures

OECD and Global Tax Reform

• Lead the Group's response to emerging international tax developments
• Provide technical direction alongside other Tax Team members regarding:
  • OECD BEPS initiatives
  • Pillar Two and global minimum taxation
  • Permanent establishment developments
  • Transfer pricing developments
  • Public Country-by-Country Reporting
  • Digital taxation developments
• Ensure the Group remains prepared for new compliance and reporting requirements in international locations

Team Leadership

• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing international tax team
• Build technical capability and ensure effective succession planning
• Foster collaboration between international tax, transfer pricing, indirect tax, employment tax and direct tax operations and reporting teams
• Promote knowledge sharing and technical excellence throughout the global tax function
• Support the continued evolution of the Tax Centre of Excellence operating model

Candidate specification

Essential:

• Qualified Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA), Chartered Accountant (ACA / ACCA / CA) or equivalent international qualification
• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Significant international tax leadership experience within a multinational organisation
• Extensive experience advising on complex cross-border tax matters
• Experience managing tax risk across multiple jurisdictions
• Experience leading international tax teams and influencing senior stakeholders
• Experience engaging with tax authorities and managing significant tax disputes
• Strong understanding of tax governance and risk management frameworks

Desirable:

• Dual qualification (tax and accounting)
• Advanced international tax study or specialist qualification
• Experience gained within a Big Four or leading international accounting/advisory practice
• Experience within professional services, engineering, infrastructure, construction, consulting or project-based businesses
• Experience supporting operations across developed and emerging markets
• Experience of OECD BEPS and Pillar Two implementation projects
• Experience of international tax accounting and tax reporting under IFRS

Technical Knowledge:

• The successful candidate should demonstrate strong practical experience in:
  • Permanent establishment analysis
  • Cross-border transaction structuring
  • International tax advisory
  • Withholding taxes
  • Tax treaty application
  • OECD BEPS initiatives
  • OECD Pillar Two
  • Tax controversy management
  • International tax risk management
  • Corporate tax compliance oversight
  • Tax accounting and uncertain tax positions
  • Commercial contract review
  • Mergers, acquisitions and restructurings
  • Legal entity rationalisation programmes

Personal Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial judgement
• Credible and influential adviser at Executive and Board level
• Pragmatic and solutions-oriented
• Highly collaborative and relationship focused
• Strong leadership and coaching capability
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Able to operate effectively in a complex global environment
• Resilient, adaptable and comfortable managing competing priorities

Success Measures:

• The Head of International Tax will be considered successful through:
  • Effective management of global tax risk
  • Delivery of high-quality commercial tax advice
  • Strong stakeholder satisfaction across the business
  • Successful navigation of major international tax developments
  • Robust governance and compliance outcomes
  • Development of a high-performing international tax team
  • Measurable contribution to business value, cash protection and margin enhancement

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.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

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.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• 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.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

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.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

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