Direct Tax Manager

Sodexo; Eccles; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sodexo retirement plan

Discounts to over 1,900 brands

Gym discount

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking a Senior Direct Tax Manager to lead the UK & ROI Tax Compliance Team. You will partner with business segments, oversee corporate tax returns, and drive group reporting accuracy with ETR forecasting.

The role also involves SAO documentation, transfer pricing, and tax policy support in coordination with the Tax Director. You will lead process improvements, manage audits, and ensure statutory compliance while mentoring the team and strengthening relationships with HR on Employment

Qualifications

• Up-to-date CPD and tax technical developments.
• Preparation of tax returns and close collaboration with finance.
• Minimum 5 years of direct tax experience and strong technical knowledge.
• Able to leverage tax and accounting systems knowledge.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills across levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead UK & ROI corporate tax compliance annual cycle with the team.
• Partner with segments on Direct Tax with support from Tax Specialist.
• Approve corporate tax payments, returns, and SAO documentation.
• Maintain balance sheet and HMRC tax accounts accuracy.
• Manage monthly/half-yearly/yearly group reporting including ETR.
• Develop and maintain transfer pricing files with Group and UK region.
• Lead tax authority audits, reviews, and SAO certifications.
• Support UK Tax Strategy and Policy in coordination with the Tax Director.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Direct Tax expertise

Tax accounting knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant subject

Accountancy qualification (AAT/ACA/ACCA)

CiOT qualified (preferred)

Tools

OneSource Direct tax

SAP

HFM

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Senior Direct Tax Manager to join our team. In this role, you will lead, manage, and develop the UK & ROI Tax Compliance Team, ensuring accurate and timely delivery of all direct tax compliance obligations. You will also play a key role in supporting the business with group tax reporting, effective tax rate (ETR) forecasting, and a wide range of corporate tax advisory projects. This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive tax professional with strong leadership skills, technical expertise, and the ability to partner with stakeholders across the business to drive compliance, provide strategic tax guidance, and support business growth.

• Lead the UK & ROI corporate tax compliance annual cycle including management of the compliance team.
• Lead business partnering with segments in relation to Direct Tax, with the support from the Tax Specialist.
• Overview and support on tax process improvement projects and reviews.
• Responsible for the approval of the corporate tax payment, Corporate Tax returns (including CIR returns / CbCr notifications/Pillar 2) and statutory tax notes for the financial accounts.
• Responsible for maintaining the balance sheet and HMRC tax accounts.
• Management of the monthly, half-yearly and full year Group reporting including ETR forecasting and monthly journals.
• Effective relationship with Senior Indirect Tax Manager, to ensure the efficient delivery of the compliance cycle.
• Maintain the UK local transfer pricing files and liaise with Group and UK Region in relation to transfer pricing obligations.
• Manage the maintenance, review and testing of the Senior Accounting Officer procedures and documentation to enable the CFO to sign off the certificate to be submitted to HMRC, including accountability or the Direct Tax SAO documentation.
• Manage the SAO certification and advice on SAO documentation to the other SAOs within the UK Region.
• Maintain tax risk register and highlight any key or emerging tax risks.
• Develop relationships with the HR team, to support with Employment Tax queries/projects.
• Leading on Corporate Tax related projects, with support from the Compliance team including R&D, capital allowances etc.
• Lead on tax authority audits, visits and queries on direct tax
• Evaluate the impact of changes in or new corporate tax legislation or developments in the UK &ROI business, working with the Tax Specialist to implement new processes where required.
• Support Tax Director with the UK Tax Strategy and Tax Policy, ensuring compliance with Corporate Criminal Offence Legislation.

Qualifications

• Keep up to date with tax technical developments for CPD.
• Bachelor's degree in relevant subject, 2:1 minimum
• Accountancy qualification (AAT/ACA/ACCA)
• CiOT qualified (preferred)
• Minimum 5 years of direct tax experience
• Preparation of tax returns
• Excellent and up to date technical knowledge
• Able to leverage technical knowledge (tax, accounting, plus software packages)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the confidence to deal with people at different levels throughout the UK & ROI business

Desirable

• Industry experience in a tax team in a national or multi-national organisation, leading the team or supporting the Head of the team.
• Transfer pricing and tax policy experience
• Knowledge of OneSource Direct tax software
• Big 4 / Top10 public accounting firm training
• Advanced Microsoft, SAP, HFM and general systems proficiency
• Able to demonstrate practical process and system knowledge.
• Irish tax knowledge

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we're on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

Competitive Salary

Competitive Salary Depending on experience Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it's a chance to be part of something greater. You'll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you'll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you'll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we offer 20+ Sodexo benefits such as Sodexo retirement plan, discounts to over 1,900 brands to shop online, Gym discount to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme providing independent support to overcome whenever life has its obstacles including emotional support, legal and financial advice. For further details regarding our Sodexo benefits please see attached.

Benefits

• Sodexo retirement plan
• discounts to over 1,900 brands to shop online
• Gym discount to maintain a healthy lifestyle
• a confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme providing independent support to overcome whenever life has its obstacles including emotional support, legal and financial advice.