Private Busines ICI R&D Director

PwC UK; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Empowered flexibility

Private medical cover

Volunteering days

Job summary

PwC's national Innovation and Capital Incentives team is seeking an experienced Director to lead the R&D tax practice focused on Private Business. You will grow our Private Business proposition, provide senior technical and delivery leadership, and strengthen the national team’s capability and profile.

You will build senior relationships with privately owned and private‑equity backed clients, oversee complex R&D tax matters, and collaborate across PwC to align R&D tax, Patent Box, capital

Qualifications

• Deep experience of UK R&D tax incentives and credibility to advise on complex matters.
• Led high-quality R&D tax claims involving tax, finance, engineering and technology stakeholders.
• Ability to translate complex technical issues into clear, commercial advice for senior clients.
• Proven business development track record and established or capable network in Private Business.

Responsibilities

• Build senior relationships with privately owned, entrepreneurial and private‑equity backed businesses and convert opportunities into engagements.
• Provide authoritative technical leadership on UK R&D tax matters and lead client discussions with HMRC when needed.
• Coordinate across PwC Private Business to align R&D tax, Patent Box, capital allowances and funding.
• Coach and develop the team, foster inclusion, and drive delivery efficiency through data and AI.

Skills

R&D tax incentives

R&D tax claims leadership

Business development

Stakeholder management

Inclusive leadership

Communication to senior clients

Entrepreneurial mindset

Education

Professional qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

About This Role

PwC's national Innovation and Capital Incentives (ICI) team helps clients access tax incentives that support investment, innovation and growth, across R&D tax, Patent Box and capital allowances. Our clients range from privately owned and entrepreneurial businesses to multinationals and public sector bodies. We are looking for an experienced Director to take a senior leadership role in our R&D tax practice, with a focus on Private Business. You will grow our Private Business proposition, provide senior technical and delivery leadership, and build the capability and profile of our national team.

• Our benefits include empowered flexibility, private medical cover and volunteering days.

What Your Days Will Look Like

• Building senior relationships with privately owned, entrepreneurial and private-equity-backed businesses, their advisers and intermediaries, and converting opportunities into lasting client engagements and a strong pipeline.
• Providing authoritative technical leadership on complex UK R&D tax matters, overseeing high-quality advice and claims, and leading senior client discussions and HMRC interactions where required.
• Working across PwC, particularly Private Business, to join up R&D tax, Patent Box, capital allowances and innovation funding around clients' innovation and investment agendas.
• Leading, coaching and developing our people, contributing to an inclusive, high-performing national team, and using technology, data and AI to improve quality, client experience and delivery efficiency.

This role is for you if

• You have deep experience of UK R&D tax incentives and the credibility to advise on complex matters.
• You have led high-quality R&D tax claims, engaging tax, finance, engineering and technology stakeholders.
• You can translate complex technical issues into clear, commercially relevant advice for senior clients.
• You have a proven business development record, an understanding of the Private Business market and an established network, or the ambition to build one.
• You are an inclusive leader who develops people and works well across a large, networked organisation.
• You hold a relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience, and bring an entrepreneurial, growth-focused mindset.

What You’ll Receive From Us

No matter where you may be in your career or personal life, our benefits are designed to add value and support, recognising and rewarding you fairly for your contributions.

• We offer a range of benefits including empowered flexibility and a working week split between office, home and client site; private medical cover and 24/7 access to a qualified virtual GP; six volunteering days a year and much more.