Tax Director

About VIRTUS

VIRTUS Data Centres is a trusted provider of critical digital infrastructure across the UK and Europe. With a strong UK foundation and a rapidly expanding European presence we design build own and operate resilient secure and energy-efficient data centres for some of the worlds leading organisations.

Established in the UK VIRTUS has built a market-leading portfolio across Londons key availability zones and continues to invest significantly in the domestic market. Building on this success we expanded into continental Europe in 2023 launching our first campuses in Berlin and accelerating growth across strategic European locations through 2026 and beyond.

Our ambition is to play a key role in enabling the next generation of digital infrastructure delivering sustainable and innovative solutions while living our core values of Care Helpful Pride Reliability and Dedication.

Job Summary

Lead the Tax function for the VIRTUS Group ensuring the function is strategically focused and operationally robust to support the Groups growth and move towards digital transformation.

Own the design and implementation and enforcement of internal processes and controls across the function. This should include development and implementation of appropriate SOPs to support scalable repeatable processes across the Groups expanding footprint.

Duties and Responsibilities

Tax Function

1. Tax Strategy & Advisory

• Development and implementation of a comprehensive tax strategy for VIRTUS which address both tax opportunity and risk including specifics around BEPS and international developments long-term IPO/SOX readiness use of technology tax processes and controls and engagement with various tax authorities.

• In relation to the Groups continued expansion plans:

  • Lead on the continued development of a suitable holding structures from both a tax and funding perspective.

  • Lead on the tax structuring for specific target acquisitions and broader transaction execution. Determine if appropriate to engage external advisers setting and managing the associated budgets and ensuring tracking and successful delivery on specific tasks and projects.

  • Strategically monitor the impact of losses capital allowances and tax deductibility of interest on the timeline for moving into a corporation tax paying position.

• Demonstrate broader awareness beyond pure taxation matters to ensure commercial and financial implications are considered in all projects commercial and investment decisions. Including working with the wider business (legal sales business development) to provide tax input on commercial contracts.

• Monitor all UK & EMEA tax announcements and new legislation to assess impact and keep all stakeholders updated.

1. Tax Reporting & Compliance

• Establish and maintain a robust tax control framework including documentation of key processes and controls aligned with HMRCs Senior Accounting Officer (SAO) requirements.

• Serve as the subject matter expert and provide comprehensive guidance on all taxation matters within the Group including corporation tax employment taxes VAT withholding taxes property taxes including business rates share reporting international and cross border matters.

• Manage relationships with tax authorities and external advisors.

• Oversee tax compliance and reporting across jurisdictions ensuring accuracy in financial systems and alignment with local regulations.

• Work closely with the wider finance team (specifically FR&C and FP&A) to ensure the development of accurate tax accounting processes including tax provision work reporting budgeting and forecasting particularly as the Group moves towards a tax paying position.

• Ownership of all tax risk management (under the SAO regime and broader re UTPs and CCO) control frameworks and the associated internal and external tax reporting as well as influencing the behaviours across the wider business.

Staff Responsibilities

• Lead develop and grow a team of tax specialists.

• Foster a high-performance culture aligned with Group values.

• Identify and communicate strengths in team members and ensure their development plans are implemented.

Any other reasonable requests made by your line manager.

Qualifications:

Essential:

• Bachelors degree in accountancy or its equivalent.

• ACA/CTA qualified or equivalent.

Experience:

Essential:

• 10 years of solid and demonstratable relevant tax experience.

Desirable:

• Experience in a Big 4/10 accounting firm and/or a multinational corporation.

• Accounting software experience.

Skills:

Essential:

• Proficient in MS Office.

• Highly organised.

• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Self-motivated with great attention to detail and demonstrates strong ownership of tasks.

In line with VIRTUS Vetting Policy the successful applicant must be willing to undergo a BS7858 screening process.

VIRTUS is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to fight for equality we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.

We reserve the right to close this post for applications should sufficient applications be received.

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