Role Overview
A client of byteSpark.ai is seeking a Head of Tax to lead the group tax function of a diversified, multi-jurisdictional business headquartered in Dubai, with entity coverage spanning the UAE, KSA, India, Germany, Singapore, UK, and Luxembourg. Reporting directly to the Group CFO, this is a senior individual contributor and team leadership role with full ownership of corporate tax, VAT, transfer pricing, international tax, compliance, and strategic tax advisory across industries including manufacturing, F&B, trading, holding companies, and banking. The right candidate will have a minimum of 12 to 15 years of progressive tax experience, hold a CA, CTA, CPA, or equivalent qualification, and bring mandatory prior experience in the UAE or GCC. Candidates without direct UAE or GCC tax exposure will not be considered. Experience within a multinational group, investment group, family office, diversified conglomerate, or Big 4 advisory firm is strongly preferred. This role requires someone who can independently manage complex, multi-jurisdictional tax matters, engage at CFO and board level, and drive both compliance rigour and strategic tax positioning across a fast-moving, multi-sector group.
Requirements
- CA, CTA, CPA or equivalent professional qualification
- Minimum 12 to 15 years of relevant experience in corporate tax, VAT, international tax, and transfer pricing
- Mandatory prior experience in UAE or GCC tax environments
- Demonstrated ownership of multi-jurisdictional tax compliance and filings across a group structure
- Experience managing transfer pricing policies and documentation
- Ability to assess and mitigate international tax risks including PE/POEM and withholding tax exposures
- Experience leading or directly participating in tax authority audits and interactions
- Proven ability to advise senior stakeholders including CFO and legal teams on complex tax matters
- Experience drafting and reviewing tax memos, position papers, and internal tax policies
- Ability to independently manage external tax advisors and consultants across jurisdictions
Desirable
- Experience in a multinational group, investment group, family office, diversified conglomerate, or Big 4 advisory firm
- Exposure to two or more of the following industries: manufacturing, F&B, trading, holding companies, banking
- Familiarity with UAE Corporate Tax legislation introduced in 2023 and its application to diversified group structures
- Experience with tax structuring for cross-border transactions and group reorganisations
- Exposure to tax matters in Germany, Singapore, Luxembourg, or India specifically
- Strong track record of building or formalising a group tax function from an early or developing stage
- Experience engaging with audit committees or boards on tax risk and governance matters