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Product & Operational Tax Divisional Director

St. James's Place


Job Location:

Cirencester - UK

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer
Posted: 31 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 28 October 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Are you ready tochart your own career path With our refreshed strategy were building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient unlocking the capabilities needed for future success. This includes significantly investing in technology streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged empowered and accountable; where they can show up speak up and perform - because we believe in the difference our work makes.

At a glance:

Location:Cirencester Office

Workplace Type:Hybrid

Employment Type:Permanent

Seniority:Director

About the role:

This is a high-impact leadership role created to support our continued growth strategy ensuring tax considerations actively support client outcomes Partner propositions and shareholder value.

This role is about much more than technical tax compliance. We are looking for a leader who can bring commercial insight strategic judgement and strong business partnering capability to the tax function building on the teams strong foundations in risk management and governance while further enhancing its strategic contribution to the business.

The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping tax strategy strengthening governance supporting business decision-making and embedding tax considerations into product design operations and wider business doing so they will help further develop the functions role as a trusted adviser ensuring tax expertise is brought into discussions early and contributes to the delivery of sustainable value for clients Partners and shareholders.

What youll be doing:
Technical Expertise & Credibility
  • Deep senior-level tax expertise across relevant regimes within Financial Services with the judgement to apply complex legislation in a commercial context.
  • Strong track record designing and overseeing control frameworks for tax reporting and operational processes ensuring accuracy resilience and regulatory compliance.
  • Broad understanding of how tax interacts with product design client outcomes and financial performance across a wealth management business.
Strategic Judgement & Commercial Insight
  • Applies forward-looking judgement to balance client outcomes commercial objectives and the Groups low risk tax strategy.
  • Anticipates emerging tax regulatory and market developments translating them into clear strategic implications and actionable recommendations.
  • Makes sound timely decisions in complex and ambiguous situations resolving competing priorities across tax legal regulatory and commercial considerations.
  • Delivers pragmatic sustainable solutions that are technically robust while enabling business growth and efficiency.
Business & Governance Insight
  • Strong understanding of Group financials business model and value drivers and how tax outcomes shape commercial performance.
  • Navigates governance forums effectively aligning decisions to the Group Tax Strategy risk appetite and regulatory expectations.
  • Understands the interaction between product operational and investment tax considerations ensuring alignment within clearly defined decision-making boundaries.
Influence Leadership & Stakeholder Impact
  • Influences senior stakeholders through clear concise and commercial communication translating complex tax issues into strategic insights.
  • Operates effectively driving outcomes through influence rather than direct authority where required.
  • Builds trusted relationships across the business regulators and external advisers enabling constructive challenge and high quality decision making.
  • Provides leadership and coaching to develop capability within the tax function and wider business setting clear expectations and raising performance standards.
About you:

We are seeking a senior tax professional with strong leadership capability and commercial judgement. You will ideally bring experience from financial services particularly wealth management asset management or a closely related regulated environment. However we are open to exceptional candidates from broader industry backgrounds who can demonstrate the right blend of technical grounding commercial acumen and leadership.

Essential Criteria:
  • A recognised tax or accounting qualification such as CTA ACA or ACCA.
  • Strong tax expertise with the ability to apply legislation in a commercial and pragmatic way.
  • Proven experience operating in a regulated environment with strong awareness of governance risk and compliance.
  • Excellent understanding of financial services ideally with knowledge of product structures client outcomes operational tax and tax governance.
  • Strong grasp of key tax and reporting concepts such as withholding taxes AEOI corporate criminal offence obligations and operational tax controls.
  • Demonstrable experience of business partnering influencing senior stakeholders and translating tax issues into clear practical advice.
  • Ability to lead coach and develop others creating a positive and high-performing team culture.
  • Experience driving change transformation automation and improved ways of working.
Special Requirements:

No major travel requirements but a willingness to travel throughout the UK to visit SJP locations Partner business and HMRC; and overseas as necessary.

Whats in it for you

We reward youfor the work you dowhether thats through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects bothpersonal and company performance competitive annual leave allowance (28 daysplus bank holidays with the option to purchase an additional 5 days) oronline rewards platform with a variety of discounts.
We also havebenefits to support whatever stage of life you are in including:

  • Competitive parental leave (26 weeks full pay)
  • Private medical insurance (optional taxable benefit)
  • 10% non-contributory pension (increasing with length of service)

Reasonable Adjustments
Were an equalopportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessibleand inclusive for all if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stageplease let us know by emailing us at
Research tells usthat applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put offfrom applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been onan extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role andcan demonstrate some transferable experience please apply regardless ofwhether you tick every box.

Whats next

If youre excitedabout this role and believe you have the skills and experience were lookingfor wed love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clickingapply below and our team will be in touch.
As a businessregulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with theconduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to aninterview with SJP.


Required Experience:

Director