Tax Manager

Sumo Digital; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits package

Salary sacrifice pension

BUPA private healthcare

annual gaming subscription

Work-life balance with hybrid studio

Job summary

Sumo Digital in the United Kingdom is seeking a Tax Manager to lead VGEC, VGTR, R&D, and corporate tax matters from our Sheffield studio. You will influence contract structures, advise on tax provisions, and collaborate with the parent group tax team to optimise claims under evolving tax rules.

This hybrid role combines technical tax leadership with commercial contract advice, requiring strong stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement mindset within a dynamic, gaming-focused studio

Qualifications

• Qualified finance professional with ACA/ACCA/CTA or equivalent.
• Experience in corporate tax, R&D credits and or VGEC/VRTEC incentives advantageous.
• Ability to advise on tax clauses in commercial contracts and bid processes.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management across multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• Be the Sumo finance lead on VGEC, VGTR, R&D and corporate tax matters.
• Drive operating efficiencies through continuous improvement.
• Advise on tax clauses and provisions in contracts and onboarding processes.
• Oversee end-to-end VGEC claims and coordinating with development teams.

Skills

Tax expertise

VGEC/R&D credits

Corporate tax

Contract advisory

Stakeholder management

Presentation skills

Business acumen

Excel skills

Change management

Attention to detail

Education

ACA/ACCA/CTA

Tools

Excel

Job description

Hybrid working from our Sheffield studio. The Tax manager is a key role within the Sumo finance team responsible for Video Games Expenditure Credit (VGEC) and other tax credit claims, and corporate tax compliance. They will be the Sumo's subject matter expert on VGEC and will support on all aspects of corporate tax strategy. The role also has a strong commercial focus, advising and supporting the business on commercial contracts with clients and corporate tax structuring for Sumo in an evolving tax landscape, and will have a key relationship with Sumo’s parent group tax team, liaising on Pillar 2 and international tax reporting. Sumo is a dynamic business with multiple Finance Managers and as such the specific requirements of our team may change as the needs of the business changes. We also regularly assess the skills, experience and development needs of our team and may look to adjust or rotate responsibilities from time to time to reflect these.

Responsibilities

• Be the Sumo finance lead on VGEC, VGTR, R&D and corporate tax matters, including providing insight and analysis to the Senior Finance Manager, Group FC and Group FD.
• Drive positive change, identify and deliver operating efficiencies in the way we work through programme of continuous improvement.
• Be the key point of contact on VGEC matters for development, commercial and support teams, influencing business decisions and contract structures to drive better outcomes.
• Provide advice and support on tax clauses and provisions in the new project bid, onboarding and contracting process.
• Be responsible for the end to end process for Sumo’s VGEC claims, including working with development and support teams to understand games, through to ensuring all technical and legal processes work effectively and that claims are delivered on time.
• Provide support, coaching, development and review for the Assistant Finance Manager responsible for VGEC claim documentation and month end VGEC processing.
• Develop a deep understanding of relevant UK VGEC guidance, working with Sumo’s external VGEC advisors, and use this knowledge to influence Sumo’s commercial contracts and optimise Sumo’s claims within the permitted rules.
• Monitor the VGEC strategy across all projects, maintaining transfer pricing policies and ensuring the Group’s legal and contractual structure optimises VGEC claims.
• Manage completion of relevant SPV subsidiary company statutory accounts preparation, audits and tax returns, working closely with advisors and auditors.
• Oversee the critical month-end accounting processes for VGEC, analyse and report on KPIs and & monitor VGEC utilisation data across projects.
• Lead the RDEC claim process, working with project teams to identify R&D qualifying activities and preparing documentation.
• Maintain corporate tax structuring and compliance processes, assisting in the optimisation of Group losses.
• Lead tax forecasting and monthly tax reporting, including reporting to Sumo’s parent company on routine tax matters and any international tax information submissions.
• Support in the preparation of year end tax accruals and liaise with auditors on the audit of tax.
• Maintain strong relationships with tax advisors and be responsible for the preparation of information in relation to corporation tax returns.
• Maintain transfer pricing documentation, and advise on and monitor compliance with Sumo’s transfer pricing policy.
• Be the key point of contact for Sumo’s parent Group (Tencent) tax team, delivering any group tax reporting requirements and Pillar two compliance.
• Support in reviewing, advising and liaising with external advisors across other tax areas including VAT, WHT, and global mobility.
• Other ad-hoc analysis and project support as required.

Requirements

• Relevant professional finance qualification (ACA, ACCA, CTA or similar)
• Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA) qualification beneficial but not essential.
• Strong technical background in practice or industry
• Corporate tax experience, with R&D credits experience an advantage
• Creative industry incentives experience an advantage, or an interest in developing knowledge in this area (support and training will be provided).
• Strong presentation skills, both written and oral, ability to flex style depending on audience.
• The ability to build relationships with key stakeholders and broader business stakeholders.
• An understanding of the Group’s commercial business drivers and strong business acumen.
• An enthusiastic, team-based ethos. Ability to break down silos and collaborate across multiple teams.
• The ability to prioritise in a dynamic business, be well organised, and able to work autonomously and to strict deadlines.
• Show a willingness to learn and develop new skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• A strong desire to implement change and best practice, with the confidence to question processes and recommend improvements.
• Strong excel skills and the ability to analyse and manipulate data.

Benefits

What we offer:

Sumo understands the importance of having control over your benefits. That's why we offer a flexible, personalised benefits package designed to meet your unique needs, no matter where you are in your career.

My Money:

• Flexible benefits allowance
• salary sacrifice pension
• benefits hub
• payroll giving
• an employee referral scheme (up to £1,000)
• financial/home buying consultations
• workplace ISA
• other schemes for tech loans
• car loans
• bicycles

My Lifestyle:

• Flexible working
• 21 free choice days holiday
• bank holidays
• birthday day off
• Christmas shutdown (Christmas Eve to New Year)
• options to buy or sell up to a week of annual leave*

My Health and Wellbeing:

• Dental insurance*
• income protection
• life assurance
• BUPA private healthcare*
• leading EAP programs (remote GP, mental health, physio, nutrition, lifestyle coaching and medical second opinions)
• critical illness cover*
• health cash plan*
• funded flu vaccines/eye tests

My Development:

• Structured Personal Development
• regular appraisals
• 5 learning days per annum

Extra Perks:

• A variety of in-studio perks
• regular care packages
• studio days out (family welcome)
• studio-led social activities (game jams, yoga, quizzes, life drawing and more)
• sabbaticals (at 10 years service)
• annual gaming subscription

*Opt-in benefits (part of our flexible benefits options).