Head of International Tax

Our client is a growing international business with operations across multiple European markets and an expanding global customer base. The company operates in a fast-moving, international environment and is currently strengthening its finance organisation to support continued growth and international expansion.

As part of this development, the business is looking to appoint an International Tax Manager who will take ownership of the group’s international tax matters. This role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with senior leadership while shaping and improving the organisation’s tax framework and compliance processes.

Role Overview

The International Tax Manager will act as the central contact for all cross-border tax matters within the organisation. The position combines strategic tax advisory with hands-on operational work, ensuring that the company’s international activities remain fully compliant while supporting business expansion.

Working closely with the CFO, finance team and external advisors, the successful candidate will coordinate tax matters across multiple jurisdictions, provide guidance to internal stakeholders and support the development of robust tax processes.

This is a highly independent role requiring a proactive professional who is comfortable managing international tax topics autonomously while collaborating with colleagues across finance, sales and operations.

Key Responsibilities

International Tax Oversight

• Serve as the primary internal contact for all international tax topics across the group.
• Monitor and coordinate tax matters relating to international operations, ensuring alignment with local regulations and global compliance requirements.
• Work closely with the internal finance team and external advisors to ensure accurate and timely tax filings across relevant jurisdictions.
• Provide practical tax guidance to business stakeholders involved in international activities.

Supporting International Expansion

• Evaluate the tax implications of expanding into new markets or hiring employees in new jurisdictions.
• Assess cross-border transactions and business models from a tax perspective.
• Provide recommendations on matters such as:
• Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Withholding tax obligations
• Ensure tax-efficient structures are implemented in line with regulatory requirements.
• Manage and further develop the company’s transfer pricing framework.
• Work alongside external advisors to define and document transfer pricing policies.
• Ensure consistent implementation of transfer pricing principles across group entities.
• Support operational teams in applying transfer pricing structures in day-to-day activities.

Tax Strategy & Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, including finance, commercial teams and leadership.
• Collaborate with sales and finance teams to ensure tax implications are considered in commercial decision-making.
• Contribute to shaping the company’s international tax strategy as the organisation continues to grow.

Process Improvement & Compliance

• Identify opportunities to enhance tax processes, reporting structures and internal documentation.
• Introduce greater standardisation and automation where appropriate.
• Support the implementation and development of a group-wide Tax Compliance Management System (CMS) .
• Ensure internal tax processes align with best practices and regulatory expectations.

Financial Reporting & Audit Support

• Work closely with the finance team on tax-related aspects of financial statements.
• Support preparation of tax calculations and related reporting requirements.
• Provide support during tax audits and coordinate with external advisors where necessary.
• Ensure tax documentation is maintained and audit-ready.

Candidate Profile

• University degree in economics, finance, accounting, tax law or a related discipline.
• A professional tax qualification (e.g. Steuerberater) would be beneficial but is not mandatory.
• Several years of relevant experience in international taxation, ideally gained within a consulting firm or multinational company.
• Strong understanding of international tax matters such as:
• VAT in cross-border transactions
• Withholding tax
• Transfer pricing frameworks
• Experience coordinating international tax advisors and managing cross-border tax topics.
• Exposure to tax accounting or financial reporting is considered an advantage.
• Structured and independent working style with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders across different departments and seniority levels.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and international environment.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in MS Office applications.
• Familiarity with ERP systems or financial reporting tools is advantageous.
• Experience with finance or accounting software is beneficial.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in German and English , both written and spoken.