Head of Tax

Our client is a dynamic and established entity within the highly regulated financial services sector. They are undergoing a period of significant strategic evolution and are committed to strengthening their core governance and compliance frameworks. This is an exciting time to join offering the opportunity to shape the future direction of their financial integrity and tax optimisation strategy under direct executive leadership.

This is a pivotal high-impact leadership role reporting directly to the CFO designed for an experienced tax and reporting specialist ready to take full ownership of the function. You will be the definitive expert providing strategic leadership and robust governance across all tax and statutory reporting obligations for the Bank and the wider Group structure.

This position is ideal for someone who thrives on autonomy can hit the ground running and possesses the gravitas to build confidence with executive management auditors and regulatory bodies (including SARS). You will not just maintain compliance; you will actively optimize the tax position ensure rigorous risk controls are in place and mentor a developing team. This role offers a direct line of sight to strategic decision-making making it a career-defining opportunity to drive material change in a critical area.

• Strategic Ownership:Deliver end-to-end strategic leadership governance and oversight for the organisations tax and financial reporting functions.
• Compliance & Risk:Ensure absolute adherence to all corporate tax VAT PAYE and financial sector tax legislation while proactively assessing and mitigating tax risk across the Bank.
• Executive Advisory:Act as the trusted advisor to the CFO and executive committees providing clear commercially relevant tax insights to support major business initiatives and product development.
• Audit & Assurance Management: Own the management of all interim and year-end external and internal audits for the Bank ensuring seamless engagement with the auditors and effective resolution of findings.
• Process Excellence:Implement robust governance structures drive process improvements and champion automation initiatives to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of all financial and tax reporting.
• Stakeholder Engagement:Manage constructive and professional relationships with regulators tax authorities and internal stakeholders (including Treasury and Risk functions).
• Team Development:Lead mentor and develop the existing Tax Manager and junior team members ensuring capability alignment with the Banks strategic demands.
• Optimization:Evaluate the current tax structure to identify and implement opportunities for tax optimization ensuring the Bank operates within its approved risk appetite.

Requirements

Must-Haves (Essential)

• Professional Qualification: CA(SA) qualification.

• Education: Honours in Taxation or a relevant postgraduate qualification is essential.

• Experience: 10 years of progressive experience within the Financial Services sector with a focus on both tax and financial reporting.

• Technical Expertise: Advanced expertise in corporate tax VAT PAYE and specialised tax legislation applicable to the financial services environment.

• Soft Skills: Ability to operate independently strong SARS engagement capability and exceptional stakeholder management skills including managing people-related challenges.

Nice-to-Haves (Beneficial)

• Alternative Qualification: Strong alternative tax qualifications will be considered if supported by solid foundational accounting experience.

• Background: Previous professional services experience with meaningful hands-on exposure to banking operations.

• System Proficiency: Proficiency in advanced financial systems and complex regulatory reporting tools.