Head of Tax and Finance

The Investment Environment team is looking for a confident and experienced tax expert (formal qualifications an advantage but not necessary) to offer expert guidance to investors on the UK’s Tax and financial offer and to help ensure government policies and processes in these areas support investment and business expansion. For example, you will be required to understand, explain, promote, and engage as a departmental expert on matters like capital allowances, tax credits for research and development expenditure, tax incentives in investment zones and free-ports, as well as other sources of financial support such as grants or business loans. You will also be required to understand the basic process an investor or business needs to go through when setting up in the UK.

You will be part of a team of experts who also provide guidance to investors on migration, skills, and land planning. This role will require you to build relationships and work with colleagues in HM Treasury and HMRC.

Investor support – providing expert support to investors by delivering information and guidance on the UK’s Tax and broader financial offer. Your focus will be on ensuring that the investor or business understands how to best utilise the UK’s tax system and or the wider financial offer as it relates to the specific needs of that business. You will build and use your own expertise and networks to help resolve complex issues for business and work to remove barriers to their investments.

Policy influencing – developing and providing subject matter expertise to DBT, including through advice to senior colleagues and ministers. You will build strong relationships with Whitehall stakeholders (including HM Treasury and HMRC) to help inform the development of Government policy in relation to the UK Tax and Finance systems for businesses. Identifying and reporting on barriers for both investors and domestic businesses will help you propose workable changes to policy and process to strengthen the UK’s attractiveness as an investment destination.

Capability building – upskilling the global DBT network to enhance their awareness of the Tax and Finance environment in the UK, including how they support foreign direct investment (FDI). You will stay abreast of the UK tax offer and changes announced at fiscal events, to deliver updates, webinars, and training to colleagues on the benefits of the UK Tax and Finance systems as well as what the policy changes will mean for investors. You will also speak on behalf of DBT about the UK Tax and Finance environments for investors at various public facing investor events and may be asked to deliver training abroad.

This role includes direct line management of one SEO and your support will be key to their development including as a credible deputy in your absence.