Associate Director UK Tax

This role is responsible for leading the entire tax agenda for the UK. The purpose of the role is to ensure effective management of Diageo’s UK corporation tax and indirect tax affairs. This includes acting as the primary engagement lead with HMRC on these matters as well as being a strategic partner to leaders of the UK business.

The role requires excellent UK corporation tax knowledge, and a strong understanding of indirect tax would also be valuable. 

·       Reports into the EMEA Tax Director

·       Stakeholders:  HMRC, UK tax compliance and UK tax reporting teams, Tax SMEs, UK business leaders.

Works within Global Tax alongside other Tax Business Partners and Subject Matter Experts.

• Build and maintain an open and cooperative working relationship with HMRC’s Customer Compliance Manager and its Corporate Tax and VAT specialists.

• Take the lead on HMRC enquiries including the management of tax disputes, collaborating with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) as needed with a One Team mindset.

• Lead tax interactions with key stakeholders across the UK businesses to provide direction and influence, ultimately enabling clear decisions and facilitating business competitiveness.
• Monitor market tax risks taking action to detect, report, mitigate and track uncertain tax positions. Manage Market Tax Risk Meetings with UK Finance Directors and other key stakeholders to advise, guide and educate stakeholders on key tax issues.
• Lead key strategic tax projects and partner with the business to provide specialist UK tax support on business initiatives, ensuring tax strategies and policies are adhered to and opportunities to deliver tax efficiencies are identified and fully evaluated.

• Support the relationship with external tax advisers and hold them to account for the delivery of timely, cost effective and value add tax advice.

• Contribute to the overall strategy for UK corporation tax and indirect tax matters and ensure our approach to UK tax compliance and reporting is robust.

• Oversee the UK corporation tax return and VAT return process, provide specialist tax input on material issues and review judgements made during the preparation process.

• Keep up to date with UK tax law changes and HMRC practice to ensure that all necessary changes are implemented in a timely and correct manner, and all impacted stakeholders are informed accordingly and ensure active engagement with Corporate Relations.
• Provide coaching and training to develop UK tax knowledge in members of Global Tax involved in the UK tax compliance and reporting processes.

• Contribute to relevant industry forums, engaging in specialist areas relevant to Diageo to share knowledge and intelligence with other large corporates.

• University / College Degree in finance/business/law/Tax.
• Thorough technical knowledge of UK tax legislation.
• 6+ years UK corporate tax experience.
• Working knowledge of indirect tax preferred.
• Accounting background with strong analytical skills.
• Experience of compliance, tax reporting and/or tax audit.
• Professional accountancy or tax qualification.
• Experience of dealing with HMRC.
• Excellent interpersonal, business partnering and influencing skills.
• Commercially astute; analytically strong strategic thinker with a global perspective.
• Ability to work independently, organise, and prioritise workload effectively, while being able to work within a strong team-oriented environment
• Energy and drive to be decisive, collaborative and make things happen.

Flexibility is key to our success. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you so that you’re supported to manage your wellbeing and balance your priorities from day one. 

We recognise and value performance, offering our people a highly competitive Rewards and Benefits package including:  

Our purpose is crafting iconic drinks chosen for life’s moments. And it’s our people, with their different experiences, perspectives and talents, who make that possible. 

We value diversity in its broadest sense and want everyone to feel they can belong, contribute and strive for their personal best. You’ll work alongside people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives — challenging, supporting and learning from one another as one outstanding team. 

Together, we’re constantly learning and improving, combining the strength of our people, capabilities and iconic brands to raise the bar, grow and win. Wherever you join us, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, make an impact and play your part in making life’s moments mean a little more. 

Ready to bring your best? This could be your opportunity. 

If you require a reasonable adjustment, please ensure that you capture this information when you submit your application.