Head of Manila Tax Services

Northern Trust; Philippines; On-site; PHP 3,000,000 - 6,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust in Manila seeks a senior leader to drive APAC Tax Operations and Tax Client Servicing. You will lead managers and teams to ensure accurate tax documentation processing, withholding tax management, relief and reclaim services, and exceptional client service.

This role emphasizes risk management, governance, and continuous improvement in a dynamic financial services environment. The ideal candidate has extensive tax operations leadership experience, strong stakeholder management,

Qualifications

• Extensive ~15yrs of experience in tax operations, custody, fund services, or financial services operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading managers and multiple operational teams.
• Proven track record delivering operational performance, risk management, and client service outcomes.
• Experience driving transformation, process improvement, or operational efficiency initiatives.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day delivery of APAC Tax Operations and Tax Client Servicing activities.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of tax documentation, withholding tax setup, tax relief applications, and withholding tax reclaims.
• Monitor performance against KRIs, KPIs, service standards, and operational objectives.
• Identify operational risks and implement controls and remediation plans.
• Drive process improvements and service quality enhancements.
• Manage and develop managers and team leaders responsible for tax operations.
• Support talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement across the function.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and client focus.
• Provide coaching and guidance to leaders to drive performance.

Skills

Global tax operations

People leadership

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decision making

Risk awareness

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.

Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

Role Summary:

Responsible for leading APAC Tax Operations and Client Servicing activities within the Global Tax Capability in Manila. Accountable for the efficient delivery of tax documentation processing, withholding tax rate management, tax relief and reclaim services, and client servicing activities. Leads managers and teams to ensure service excellence, risk management, operational effectiveness, and achievement of business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of APAC Tax Operations and Tax Client Servicing activities.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of tax documentation, withholding tax setup, tax relief applications, and withholding tax reclaims.
• Monitor performance against established KRIs, KPIs, service standards, and operational objectives.
• Identify operational risks and implement appropriate controls and remediation plans.
• Drive process improvements, efficiency initiatives, and service quality enhancements.
• Manage and develop managers and team leaders responsible for tax operations activities.
• Support talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement across the function.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and client focus.
• Provide coaching and guidance to leaders to ensure strong performance and development outcomes.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with Tax Practice leaders, operational teams, and business partners to support client and business objectives.
• Maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, sub-custodian networks, and service partners.
• Escalate capacity, service, or risk concerns through data-driven recommendations.

Risk and Governance

• Maintain a strong control environment and ensure compliance with regulatory, policy, and operational requirements.
• Support implementation of risk management and governance initiatives within the Tax Practice.
• Ensure appropriate oversight of operational incidents, client issues, and audit-related activities.

Culture and Leadership

• Model Northern Trust's values of Service, Integrity, and Expertise.
• Promote ethical behavior, inclusion, and a positive employee experience.
• Drive a culture focused on client outcomes, operational excellence, and continuous development.

Knowledge & Skills

• Proven strong knowledge of global tax operations, including withholding tax, tax relief, and reclaim processing.
• Strong operational and people leadership capabilities.
• Proven ability to manage managers and large operational teams.
• Effective stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to analyze operational challenges and implement practical solutions.
• Strong risk awareness and control mindset.
• Data-driven decision-making and resource planning capabilities.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to lead through change.
• High degree of accountability, professionalism, and collaboration.

Experience

• Extensive ~15yrs of experience in tax operations, custody, fund services, or financial services operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading managers and multiple operational teams.
• Proven track record delivering operational performance, risk management, and client service outcomes.
• Experience driving transformation, process improvement, or operational efficiency initiatives.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

Working With Us

As a Northern Trust partner, greater achievements await. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture in an organization where financial strength and stability is an asset that emboldens us to explore new ideas.

Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to assisting the communities we serve! Join a workplace with a greater purpose.

Reasonable accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at [e-mail].

We hope you’re excited about the role and the opportunity to work with us. We value an inclusive workplace and understand flexibility means different things to different people.

About Our Manila Office

The Northern Trust Manila office celebrated a decade of excellence in 2024. Through agility, resiliency, innovation, and excellence, they have evolved into a dynamic hub with diverse capabilities and a thriving workforce of over 1,200 - driving meaningful impact and sustainable growth. Learn more.