Interim Head of Tax

About us

Avencia Talent Solutions are exclusively recruiting on behalf of a leading Specialty Insurer based in The City, who are looking to hire an Interim Head of Tax on a 6 month basis.

The role

Reporting to the Chief Accounting Officer (CAO), the role will act as a key adviser to the CAO, Group CFO, and senior management team, influencing strategic decisions across underwriting, capital deployment and organizational expansion.

Key accountabilities

Tax Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a Group-wide corporate tax strategy aligned with business objectives and risk appetite
• Advise the CAO, CFO and senior leadership on the tax implications of strategic initiatives, including new markets, products, capital deployment and the impacts of changing tax legislation
• Lead tax planning activities to support commercial growth while ensuring alignment with regulatory and legislative frameworks

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure accurate and timely compliance with all corporate tax obligations across relevant jurisdictions (UK, Bermuda, EU and others)
• Oversee the preparation and submission of:
  • Corporation tax returns
  • VAT and indirect tax filings
  • Transfer pricing documentation and reporting
• Manage tax accounting for Group and legal entity financial reporting, including effective tax rate, provisions and disclosures
• Ensure compliance with UK Senior Accounting Officer (SAO) requirements and equivalent global regulations

Governance & Risk Management

• Establish and maintain a robust tax governance and control framework
• Manage the Group's tax risk register, ensuring early identification and mitigation of tax risks
• Lead interactions with tax authorities (e.g. HMRC) and manage audits, enquiries and disputes
• Ensure alignment with OECD principles, including transfer pricing and substance requirements

Advisory & Business Partnering

• Provide technical tax advice across the Group, including:
  • Underwriting structures
  • Reinsurance arrangements
  • Strategic investments
• Partner closely with the CAO, Finance, Legal, Underwriting and Operations to ensure tax considerations are embedded in decision-making
• Evaluate tax implications of cross-border transactions and global structuring initiatives

International Tax & Structuring

• Oversee transfer pricing frameworks and intercompany arrangements
• Advise on international expansion and jurisdictional structuring to optimise tax outcomes
• Monitor global tax developments (e.g. OECD Pillar Two, BEPS) and assess impact on the Group

Team Leadership & External Advisors

• Lead a high-performing global tax function
• Manage relationships with external advisors across jurisdictions where specialist expertise is required
• Drive continuous improvement in tax processes, systems and reporting capabilities

Skills & experience

• Qualified tax professional (CTA, ACA or equivalent)
• Significant experience in a senior tax leadership role, ideally within financial services, insurance or reinsurance but open to other industries
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP
• Strong knowledge of UK corporate tax, international tax and tax accounting principles
• Experience operating across multi-jurisdictional environments