Senior Manager/ Associate Director - Transaction Tax | EY South Africa

Ernst & Young Advisory Services Sdn Bhd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900 000 - 1 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global consulting firm seeks a Senior Manager in Johannesburg to manage complex transaction tax engagements. The role involves advising corporate and private equity clients, ensuring compliance with South African tax legislation, and mentoring team members. Ideal candidates hold a CA(SA) and have significant M&A experience. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential. Competitive compensation and a supportive work environment are offered.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive wellness benefits

Access to world-class learning

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in corporate, M&A or transaction tax.
• Experience managing budgets and projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead engagements for corporate and private equity clients.
• Advise on tax structuring and diligence.
• Review transaction documentation for tax exposures.
• Collaborate with cross-border teams.

Skills

Leading multi-disciplinary teams

Corporate and transaction tax knowledge

Analytical skills

Presentation skills

Building relationships with stakeholders

Education

CA(SA) or equivalent professional qualification

Job description

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Location: Johannesburg

Other locations: Primary Location Only

Requisition ID: 1656678

Location: Johannesburg / Cape Town / Durban

Service Line: Tax | Transaction Tax

Level: Senior Manager – Associate Director

At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence.

We’ll help you thrive in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams - and take your career wherever you want it to go. Join EY and help us build a better working world.

Our Transaction Tax team sits at the heart of EY’s Tax practice - advising leading local and multinational organisations, private equity funds, and investors on complex acquisitions, disposals, restructurings, and capital market transactions.

As a Senior Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in helping clients unlock value, manage risk, and navigate the tax implications of their most strategic decisions. You’ll collaborate closely with senior leaders and some of the most recognised tax minds in the profession - while developing the next generation of high-performing professionals around you.

The opportunity

EY’s Transaction Tax practice is growing rapidly, supporting a dynamic market where tax is increasingly central to deal strategy and execution.

You’ll be part of a team that advises on all stages of the transaction lifecycle – from due diligence and structuring, to post-deal integration and internal reorganisations. The role offers exceptional breadth and visibility, working across sectors and borders, often on landmark deals shaping South Africa’s economic landscape.

Your key responsibilities

• Lead complex engagements across buy-side and sell-side transactions for both corporate and private equity clients.
• Advise on structuring, diligence, and modelling, providing commercially focused tax insights and identifying value opportunities.
• Review transaction documentation (including sale agreements, merger terms, and financing structures) and provide technical input on tax exposures and mitigations.
• Collaborate with cross-border teams, coordinating global advice and integrating international tax considerations.
• Coach and develop your team, ensuring technical excellence and high-quality client delivery.
• Contribute to business development and thought leadership by staying across emerging trends in corporate and international tax.

Skills and attributes for success

• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage complex engagements.
• Strong technical knowledge of corporate and transaction tax, including restructurings and M&A-related issues.
• Deep understanding of South African tax legislation, and awareness of international principles impacting cross-border deals.
• Strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Commercial acumen and the ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• CA(SA), Admitted Attorney, or equivalent professional qualification.
• Relevant experience in corporate, M&A or transaction tax within a law firm, professional services or in-house advisory environment.
• Demonstrated experience in tax due diligence, deal structuring, and post-acquisition planning.
• Proven experience managing budgets, projects, and people.

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Experience advising private equity and multinational clients.
• Exposure to cross-border tax structuring or international tax planning.
• A passion for mentoring, developing talent, and sharing technical knowledge.

What we look for

We’re seeking a curious, commercially minded leader - someone who thrives on challenge, values collaboration, and takes ownership of delivering exceptional client outcomes. If you’re a natural problem-solver with the confidence to challenge and the insight to influence, this is your next step.

What we offer

At EY, you’ll join an environment that’s both high-performing and human. We’ll equip you with future-focused skills, global experience, and the flexibility to thrive in a world that’s always changing.

You’ll be supported by an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity and rewards performance. Our Total Rewards programme includes competitive compensation, access to world-class learning, comprehensive wellness benefits, and opportunities to contribute to EY’s broader purpose in society.

Join us, and you’ll help shape the future of tax - for our clients, our communities, and your career.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today. EY accepts applications for this position on an ongoing basis.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.