Director of Tax

Overview

In this senior, hands-on finance role you will own taxation across the Costain Group with a primary VAT focus. You will lead a small tax team, manage HMRC relationships, and shape the group’s tax strategy, compliance, and advisory work. You’ll drive tax planning, risk mitigation, and reporting, including tax accounting and forecasting, while collaborating with senior leaders on corporate activity and transformation initiatives. This is a strategic, operational role at scale within a construction-adjacent environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Board-approved tax strategy and governance, and identify tax risks while ensuring compliance across VAT, CIS, corporate tax, employment taxes, and reporting
• Manage the relationship with tax authorities (HMRC) and oversee SAO processes with the CFO
• Oversee tax planning, provision of tax advice, and training across the Group; support accurate tax accounting and forecasts
• Direct and develop the tax team (three direct reports) to meet all tax compliance requirements and stakeholder needs
• Advise on corporate transactions, due diligence for acquisitions, and remuneration tax matters (IR35, LTIPs, share-based plans)
• Support tax-based transformation projects with Finance Transformation and ERP implementation to improve compliance
• Provide VAT/CIS expertise and ensure timely VAT/CIS returns and payments; work with JV partners on related matters
• Ensure Group policies and procedures are updated and staff are trained in tax processing
• Collaborate with HR and Company Secretariat on remuneration tax issues and related governance
• Monitor and implement initiatives to maximize tax savings (e.g., RDEC, VAT recoveries) and adapt practices to evolving tax rules

Key requirements

• Deep practical knowledge and experience of VAT and CIS
• Experience in a corporate commercial environment
• Ability to communicate complex tax matters simply and influence senior leaders
• High initiative, drive, and organizational skills to meet deadlines across all taxes
• Team management experience and stakeholder engagement across internal and external partners
• Experience in the construction sector is preferable
• Knowledge of tax governance and risk management, including anti-evasion measures
• Experience with SAO processes and tax reporting for half-year and annual results
• Advisory capability on PAYE, VAT, P11D, CIS; tax planning and compliance across the group

• strong communication and influencing skills
• proactive and decisive leadership
• excellent prioritization and organizational abilities
• VAT expertise
• CIS knowledge
• tax compliance and reporting

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