At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities and societies across the globe. To learn more about our purpose, culture, and priorities, visit our strategy site. 

Within our construct business we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project delivery to unlock the potential in every project.

Our values shape the way we deliver and define the people we want to join us on our journey, they are:

• Safety first - Going home safe and well
• Client focus - Deliver on our promise
• Integrity - Always do the right thing
• Create opportunity - For our people to excel

As a strategically minded Tax Director, you will direct the function of the £2bn UK construction business. This is a key leadership role focused on selling the tax strategy, ensuring robust planning across the construct business, leveraging technology to drive efficiencies whilst leading a high-performing tax team. 

Acting as a trusted advisor to the construct board and senior stakeholders, you will provide deep tax technical expertise and counsel relevant to the UK construction sector.

The role provides leadership for the tax portfolio, delivering the tax agenda and functional Finance plans for the business, ensuring short and long term objectives and goals are met.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Developing and executing the Mace construct tax strategy aligned to commercial and operational objectives.
• Partnering as a strategic business partner, provides strategic tax input into major business initiatives including infrastructure projects, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures and property development.
• Managing long-term tax planning and scenario modelling to support sustainable growth and risk management.
• Role serving as the in-house expert on UK corporate tax, VAT (including construction specific reverse charge), CIS (construction industry scheme), capital allowances, stamp duty land tax (SDLT), R&D claims and employment tax issues.
• Holding responsibility for monitoring and interpreting UK tax law changes and their impact on the business; proactively shape the business response.
• Ensuring technical accuracy of tax filings and positions and manage complex technical issues in collaboration with advisors where appropriate.
• Overseeing identifying opportunities to leverage tax technology and automation tools i.e. enterprise resource planning (ERP) integration, data analytics, making tax digital (MTD) compliance, e-invoicing.
• Championing digital transformation across the tax lifecycle, driving process efficiency, accuracy and data governance.
• Directing, mentoring and developing a multi-disciplinary tax team, ensuring high levels of engagement, technical development and succession planning.
• Promoting a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement within the tax team and wider finance function.
• Owning the construct tax governance framework and ensure compliance with SAO (senior accounting officer) and CCO (corporate criminal offence) obligations.
• Maintaining a transparent and proactive relationship with HMRC under the business risk review (BRR+) framework, supporting a low-risk tax profile.
• Overseeing robust documentation of tax positions and internal controls to support audit readiness.
• Demonstrating ‘good organisation citizenship’ by working in an enterprise-wide way. Champions and drives the strategic implementation of enterprise-wide (business unit/area) strategic priorities, initiatives and transformational change, providing enterprise-wide leadership.
• Directing construct tax unit by example, setting and working by high standards, leads, guides and provides direction to the Construct Tax unit ensures a high performing portfolio and teams that meet and exceed KPIs
• Representing mace and the consult business, manages & influences key C-Suite and senior external relationships with key stakeholders, including relevant industry, government/regulatory, political bodies.
• Providing executive leadership and direction across the designated tax portfolio, supporting and mentoring senior leaders including the full suite of the finance portfolio.
• Promoting and champions the highest standards and adherence to health, safety and wellbeing across portfolio.
• Providing thought leadership, industry expertise and expert counsel across the designated tax portfolio and operational business to senior leadership teams.

You’ll need to have:

• Chartered tax advisor (CTA), associate chartered accountant (ACA), association of chartered certified accountants (ACCA) or equivalent.
• Experience working in house in construction.
• Degree/Post graduate (or equivalent).
• Proficient knowledge and expertise in specific sector/market of project/role.
• Relevant technical qualification/certification for project portfolio/s.
• Sound technical expertise in health and safety executive (HSE) (or local equivalent) rules and specific sector/market regulations relevant to project/portfolio.
• Knowledge of consultancy, construction, infrastructure and property sectors/markets and an understanding of estimating, scheduling, contracts administration, procurement, commercial controls and reporting.
• Change management; 'change agent' executive.
• Commercial management.
• Comprehensive analytical and operational expertise.
• Highly advanced budgetary expertise.
• Highly advanced audit and risk management expertise.
• Working proficiency of Oracle.

You’ll also have:

• Exceptional previous relevant tax experience.
• Comprehensive expertise and knowledge of tax portfolio leadership in industry.
• Comprehensive track record of achievement in leading a large/complex Tax unit/sub-function.
• Advanced expertise and up to date knowledge of taxation good practice.
• Expertise of accounting for an international business using international financial reporting standards (IFRS).
• In house tax experience with large construction corporation M & A.
• Advanced communication skills, effectively communicates at C-Suite and all levels in organisation.
• Manages and influences key senior internal (C-Suite) and external stakeholders and provides leadership and guidance to key stakeholders.
• Builds professional relationships and networks.
• Advanced negotiation, influencing and engagement capabilities.
• Digitally savvy with technical literacy.
• Experience leading a team.
• Advanced leadership capabilities lead Tax unit/sub-function.
• Inspiring/transformational leadership.
• Strategic thinking and execution.
• Builds effective senior leadership teams.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all of the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.


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