Tax (R&D) - Manager

PwC; Dublin; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

PwC Ireland is seeking a skilled R&D Incentives Manager to lead client engagements for R&D tax credit and RD&I grant programs within the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences sector. You will manage a diverse client portfolio, mentor junior colleagues, and drive efficiency through digital tools.

The role emphasizes strong technical and financial acumen, relationship management, and the ability to deliver high-value insights.

Qualifications

• A science or engineering qualification or a strong PLS industry background combined with finance/business qualifications or experience (finance/business qualification not critical)
• Minimum 4‑5 years post‑qualification experience within industry or professional services
• Strong verbal and written communication specifically in report writing
• Good relationship management – ability to read situations and modify behaviour to build quality, diverse relationships with both internal stakeholders and clients
• Excellent organisational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills
• Good team worker and good mentoring skills
• Ambitious with a strong commitment to self‑development and progression
• Energetic and creative with an ability to present new ideas, innovative solutions and commitment to delivering value for clients
• Strong digital and technical skills

Responsibilities

• Managing a Diverse Client Portfolio – Take ownership of a challenging and varied portfolio of PLS and engineering clients, acting as the primary point of contact for all client matters.
• Client Relationship Management – Build and maintain strong, long‑term relationships with client scientists, engineers, and key stakeholders.
• Billing and Financial Oversight – Take responsibility for managing billing schedules, monitoring project budgets, and ensuring timely invoicing.
• Team Leadership and Development – Lead, mentor, and develop junior team members, ensuring effective delegation and inclusion in client engagements.
• Business Development and Growth – Collaborate with senior leadership to identify and pursue new business opportunities within your portfolio.
• Digital Transformation – Champion the adoption and implementation of digital tools and processes within the team.
• Data Analysis and Insights – Oversee the modelling and analysis of client data, ensuring the development of dashboards and reports.
• Continuous Professional Development – Take responsibility for your own career progression and participate in PwC’s flexible working arrangements

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Relationship management

Organisational skills

Mentoring

Business development

Digital skills

Creative problem solving

Team leadership

Presentation skills

Education

Science or engineering qualification

Finance/Business qualification

Job description

Line of Service: Tax

Industry/Sector: Not Applicable

Specialism: General Tax Consulting

Management Level: Manager

Job Description & Summary

The PwC R&D incentives group is a leading provider of R&D Incentive services to Pharmaceutical and engineering companies in Ireland. Our team provides consultancy services to large multinational and indigenous Irish companies in assisting them with their R&D Incentive programs, such as R&D tax credit and grant claims. The R&D tax credit and RD&I grants play a critical role in attracting and funding high-value investment in Ireland and driving Irish innovation jobs in the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences (PLS) sector.

What we do

Our R&D team works with PLS and engineering clients to assist them with the preparation and submission of their R&D tax credit claims to Irish Revenue, grant submissions to the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and Enterprise Ireland (EI). The work that we undertake with clients can include the following:

• Significant engagement with client’s science and engineering teams to identify which projects may qualify for the R&D tax credit
• Collaborating with the client’s science and engineering teams in the preparation of focused R&D incentive documentation for relevant projects and assisting them with the finalisation of these documents
• Design of processes and methodologies with client’s science and engineering teams leveraging their underlying systems and data to prepare analysis and reports
• Analysis and modelling of the costs and expenditure incurred by the client in relation to R&D activities and reviewing with the client what could be included in their R&D tax credit claim or RD&I grant or other incentive programme
• Assisting with the preparation, review and finalisation of the financial files in relation to the R&D Incentive programs

The role will involve assisting the team to deliver the client work programs based on the above, developing key client relationships, mentoring more junior members of the group, developing business skills in a competitive environment, delivering value for clients as well as developing a market profile as a subject matter expert in R&D incentives.

What does this role offer?

As an R&D Incentives Manager you’ll work as part of a dynamic and exciting team that comprises 16 people with a broad range of diverse professionals ranging from mechanical engineers to scientists to tax and accounting professionals. You’ll work on complex and challenging assignments and gain experience working with leading edge innovative clients – from the largest multinational organisations to Irish start‑ups working on cutting edge research and development.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Managing a Diverse Client Portfolio – Take ownership of a challenging and varied portfolio of PLS and engineering clients, acting as the primary point of contact for all client matters. Oversee the end‑to‑end delivery of R&D Incentive programmes, ensuring high‑quality service and client satisfaction
• Client Relationship Management – Build and maintain strong, long‑term relationships with client scientists, engineers, and key stakeholders. Proactively identify client needs, provide strategic advice, and ensure clients are kept informed of relevant developments in R&D incentives
• Billing and Financial Oversight – Take responsibility for managing billing schedules, monitoring project budgets, and ensuring timely and accurate invoicing. Track and report on the financial performance of your client book, identifying opportunities for efficiency and growth
• Team Leadership and Development – Lead, mentor, and develop junior team members, ensuring effective delegation and inclusion in client engagements. Foster a collaborative team environment and support the professional growth of team members through coaching and feedback
• Business Development and Growth – Collaborate with senior leadership to identify and pursue new business opportunities within your portfolio. Contribute to the development and enhancement of service offerings, supporting the overall growth strategy of the R&D Incentives group
• Digital Transformation – Champion the adoption and implementation of digital tools and processes within the team. Drive initiatives to improve efficiency, data quality, and client value through technology‑enabled solutions
• Data Analysis and Insights – Oversee the modelling and analysis of client data, ensuring the development of insightful dashboards and reports that provide clients with clear, actionable information on the financial aspects of their R&D incentives
• Continuous Professional Development – Take responsibility for your own career progression, seeking out opportunities for learning and development. Actively participate in PwC’s flexible working arrangements and contribute to a positive, inclusive team culture

About you – Key Competencies & Experience

• A science or engineering qualification or a strong PLS industry background combined with finance/business qualifications or experience (finance/business qualification not critical)
• Minimum 4‑5 years post‑qualification experience within industry or professional services
• Strong verbal and written communication specifically in report writing
• Good relationship management – ability to read situations and modify behaviour to build quality, diverse relationships with both internal stakeholders and clients
• Excellent organisational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills
• Good team worker and good mentoring skills
• Ambitious with a strong commitment to self‑development and progression
• Energetic and creative with an ability to present new ideas, innovative solutions and commitment to delivering value for clients
• Strong digital and technical skills

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We believe this so much that we have signed up for the Business in the Community Elevate Pledge (https://www.bitc.ie/the-leaders-group-on-sustainability/inclusive-workplace-pledge/).

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please email us for more information.