Tax Director

Who are we?

Howden is a collective – a group of talented and passionate people all around the world. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 18,000 employees spanning over 100 countries.

People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

Role Overview

Howden is seeking a highly experienced Tax Director to support the Group Head of Tax in delivering key strategic and operational tax initiatives.

This role involves leading complex projects, embedding best practices, and ensuring the organisation meets its regulatory tax compliance obligations. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in overseeing the implementation of SOX controls, embedding a US GAAP-compliant tax reporting process, and preparing for upcoming Pillar 2 filings. In addition, they will provide strategic guidance across M&A activities and promote continuous professional development (CPD) within the tax team.

Key Responsibilities

Tax Reporting and Compliance

• Oversee the implementation of SOX controls to ensure compliance with internal governance and external regulatory frameworks.
• Lead the embedding of a US GAAP-compliant tax reporting process, including accurate assessment of deferred tax and Uncertain Tax Positions (UTPs).
• Support the organisation’s preparation for Pillar 2 filings
• Assist in determining the organisation’s risk acceptance levels for quarterly reported tax figures.

Leadership and Best Practice

• Promote best practice across the tax team by driving:
  • Knowledge sharing initiatives.
  • A structured focus on CPD (Continuing Professional Development).
  • Quarterly planning sessions.
  • More rigorous review processes to enhance the quality of tax reporting and compliance.
• Act as a mentor and provide leadership to the wider tax team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

M&A and Strategic Support

• Assist in the review of M&A activities, ensuring tax implications are appropriately managed.
• Support the Senior Tax Manager on ad hoc projects and initiatives as required.

Required Skills and Experience

• Extensive financial services experience, having worked in large listed firms or been materially involved in the audit of large listed businesses.
• More than 10 years’ post-qualified experience in UK tax, demonstrating a deep understanding of complex tax matters in large organisations.
• Membership of ICAEW (or equivalent), with a preference for candidates also holding the CTA qualification.
• Proven expertise in tax department operations, with a demonstrated ability to manage listed tax disclosures effectively.
• Strong understanding of SOX controls and their application in a tax environment.
• Comprehensive experience in US GAAP tax reporting.
• Experience in M&A transactions, with the ability to assess and manage associated tax risks.

Preferred Attributes

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with senior stakeholders across the organisation.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to present complex tax matters to non-technical audiences.
• A proactive, results-driven approach with a commitment to maintaining high standards of professional excellence.

What do we offer in return?

A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity – there is no one Howden type. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us:

• Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new

• We support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges

• We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond

Reasonable adjustments

We're committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs.  Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours* or hybrid working*.

If you're excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it’s the right fit for you, send us your application – if your profile fits the role’s criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require.

*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.