Senior Group Tax Manager

Company Description

Inmarsat has been at the forefront of global mobile satellite communications for over forty years, and is the market leading provider of voice and high-speed data communications for users on land, at sea and in the air through its constellation of 14 geostationary satellites. Inmarsat is a privately owned company with a profitable track record and significant growth aspirations. This is represented by more than 55 nationalities in the workforce, reflecting the global and dynamic nature of the business. With an investment of over $3 billion in its latest network infrastructure, Inmarsat is at the forefront of global mobile communications innovation.

Chief Finance Office

Inmarsat’s Chief Finance Office (CFO) processes millions of transactions a month that enable us to interact efficiently with our suppliers, customers, trading partners and regulators. We make sure that the Company is properly funded and well controlled, that our taxes are paid and that shareholders and banks continue to support our plans. Our commercial teams help ensure that the business takes sound decisions through robust planning, careful pricing, sound contracts, skilled procurement and rigorous evaluation of every major business decision.

Job Description

Primary role purpose:

We are currently presenting an exciting opportunity for a Senior Group Tax Manager to join our Tax team which is within the Finance Division of Inmarsat’s business. The Tax function is outward facing and proactive in its management of Inmarsat’s tax affairs.

Reporting to the Vice President - Tax & Treasury, the Senior Group Tax Manager will be responsible for overall group tax reporting, transfer pricing, global direct tax compliance including availing the Group of applicable incentives (e.g. in relation to IP regimes) and global direct tax advisory projects (including M&A). The Senior Group Tax Manager manages a team of four: a Transfer Pricing Manager, International Tax Manager, Tax Manager and Tax Accountant.

In addition to strong tax technical capabilities, the candidate must demonstrate proven project management skills across multi-functional teams. Strong capabilities in process improvement will also be important. The candidate will need to be able to develop strong partnerships across the business.

Key responsibilities

• Managing the end-to-end tax compliance cycle including:
  • Provision of budget and longer-term forecasting inputs
  • Management of the tax reporting process, with a focus on driving process improvement and automation and managing the external auditor relationship
  • Leading the monthly internal tax reporting, including forecasting the group’s effective tax rate and cash tax payments and providing analysis and commentary of variances to the budget rate and activity in the month
  • Managing the preparation of the tax disclosures and narrative for the consolidated group accounts under IFRS
  • Managing the corporation tax return filings globally, including liaising with the outsource provider where relevant
• Managing routine tax authority enquiries in the UK and overseas and assisting the VP, Tax & Treasury with material/long-running enquiries. Developing a positive relationship with key HMRC personnel and proactively dealing with HMRC on new issues and specific transactions e.g. Patent Box & R&D
• Leading on transfer pricing including working with the VP, Tax & Treasury and Transfer Pricing Manager to develop and implement efficient, sustainable transfer pricing across the Group and ensure all documentation obligations (master file, local files, CBCR) are met
• Supporting the VP, Tax & Treasury in developing, documenting and implementing appropriate governance including the tax strategy and tax operating policies. Managing the Senior Accounting Office process
• Maximising benefits from regimes such as the R&D and Patent Box initiatives, as well as other initiatives (e.g. 130% super-deduction for UK capex)
• Work with finance, treasury, Company Secretarial and legal teams to reduce the number of legal entities in the Group
• Support the VP, Tax & Treasury on transactions including M&A and any restructurings, including managing internal teams and external advisors as required
• Reviewing new legislation and reporting standards and advising the VP, Tax & Treasury of the implications for the effective tax rate, cash forecasts and disclosures
• Managing the direct tax legal & professional fees budget and managing relationships with suppliers
• Managing four members of the team effectively, forging a strong team ethic, getting the most out of each individual and enabling personal development across the team

Qualifications

Essential Knowledge and Skills:

• University degree or equivalent
• Professional certification (ideally CTA, ACA)
• Experience gained in Big 4 accountancy firm and/or Blue-Chip in-house tax department
• Strong tax technical skills across all areas of direct tax
• In-depth experience of international tax including transfer pricing, and some exposure to VAT and payroll taxes
• Significant practical experience and understanding of tax accounting under IFRS
• Experience in process improvement – identifying opportunities and implementing change
• Advanced use of Excel

Desirable Knowledge and Skills:

• In house experience in telecoms, technology or similar organisation
• Use of SAP (or experience using another accounting system)

Additional Information

You must be eligible to work in this location advertised.

Inmarsat Values:

Our values define Inmarsat’s culture and represent what we believe in. Inmarsat employees aspire to certain behaviours which support our corporate values, they create a stronger working environment and lie at the heart of our continued success as an organisation.

• Accountability – taking ownership, getting results and keeping our promises
• Respect – collaborating, embracing diversity and valuing differences
• Excellence – creating bold solutions for our customers and putting quality at the heart of everything we do