Head of Tax

Lead our tax function and shape the strategy that drives compliance, efficiency, and innovation across the business. As Head of Tax, you’ll play a pivotal role in advising senior leadership on major initiatives, managing HMRC relationships, and ensuring robust governance and risk management. This is a high-impact role where your expertise will influence strategic decisions, support business transformation, and safeguard our financial integrity.

If you’re a strategic thinker with proven experience in tax leadership, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, this is your opportunity to make a real difference in a business that matters.

We’re a fast-paced, dynamic organisation with a clear focus on delivering our ambitious turnaround plan. You’ll thrive in an environment that values agility, collaboration, and forward-thinking solutions, making a real impact on the future of Thames Water.

What you will be doing as Head of Tax

• Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, you will define and deliver a tax strategy aligned with Thames Water's objectives.
• Provide expert guidance to the CFO and Board on restructuring, transformation, and strategic planning.
• Oversee accurate and timely reporting across corporation tax, VAT, employment taxes, environmental taxes, and international obligations.
• Lead and develop a high-performing tax team, fostering collaboration across finance, legal, and payroll.
• Collaboration is key - you will build strong relationships with regulators, auditors, and external advisers.
•  Establish robust tax policies, controls, and risk management frameworks to safeguard the business.

Base location – Hybrid – Reading, Clearwater Court

What you should bring to the role

• You will be a professionally qualified accountant or tax professional with extensive relevant experience in Tax, ideally in a large business.
• Possess in-depth, up-to-date knowledge of relevant tax laws and tax accounting principles is essential.
• The capability to align tax strategy with broader business goals.
• Excellent communication skills to translate complex tax issues into clear, concise business language for senior stakeholders and non-tax experts.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities with a high degree of attention to detail and track record of meeting required deadlines
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a team of qualified professionals and developing individuals.
• Strong stakeholder and relationship management skills, including interaction with tax authorities, Board members, shareholders, regulators and executives

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary within C grade range.
• Car Allowance £5800
• Private Health Insurance.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.