Head of International Tax

About the role

Head of International Tax - Join our Group Tax Team at DS Smith's Paddington headquarters. Lead the global execution and advisory aspects of our international tax strategy, serving as the primary contact for complex cross border tax queries, M&A transactions, and legal entity structures. Partner with senior internal teams on commercial projects, build relationships across our global footprint of over 35 countries, and directly manage and develop an International Tax Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the group's international tax strategy, partnering with Treasury on capital structures, dividend planning, and repatriation methods.
• Provide expert tax advice to regional finance teams and corporate functions on commercial projects, managing risks around CFC regimes and permanent establishments.
• Lead tax due diligence on potential acquisitions or divestments, designing tax efficient structures and overseeing post acquisition integration and legal entity rationalisation.
• Track global tax updates to assess business impact, ensuring alignment on key international compliance components like Pillar 2 and transfer pricing principles.
• Provide strategic support to the Direct Tax team and local entities on tax audit queries relating to international tax matters.
• Directly manage, mentor, and coach the International Tax Manager, fostering a collaborative, high performance culture aligned with the wider tax function.

About you

• Professional qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CA/CTA or equivalent.
• Demonstrable progressive International Tax experience, ideally at leadership level within a large multinational or large advisory.
• Extensive knowledge of UK direct tax (CFC, loan relationships, Pillar 2), Double Tax Treaties, and foreign tax regimes.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate complex tax matters into business outcomes and influence cross functional stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage, coach, and develop direct reports while driving strategic corporate projects independently.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Discretionary bonus
• Car allowance
• Private healthcare
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Discounts
• Cycle to work scheme

Location

This is a hybrid role, split between the London Paddington office (3 days) and home (2 days) - however flexibility will be required at times.

Fair recruitment

DS Smith is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.