Head of Indirect Tax

The company is a rapidly growing global specialty pharmaceutical services business with a unique combination of services across the pharmaceutical lifecycle. We currently have over 1,000 employees headquartered in the UK with global offices in the US, EU (Belgium, Germany, France), Asia Pacific and South Africa.

Are you looking to shape the tax strategy behind global pharmaceutical services?

If so, we are seeking an indirect tax specialist who enjoys solving complex commercial challenges, influencing business decisions and working across international markets.

The Role

The company is looking for a Head of Indirect Tax to play a key role in supporting its global pharmaceutical services business. Reporting to the Group Head of Tax, this is an opportunity to combine technical VAT expertise with commercial advisory work, partnering with senior stakeholders to support business growth, optimise supply chains and manage tax risk across multiple jurisdictions.

The Opportunity

This is a highly commercial, advisory-led position, with approximately 80% of the role focused on advisory work and 20% on compliance. You'll work closely with Commercial, Business Development, Finance, Legal and Supply Chain teams, providing VAT and indirect tax guidance on new business opportunities, complex cross-border transactions, commercial agreements and strategic projects, including specialist areas such as Managed Access and cell and gene therapies.

Alongside your advisory responsibilities, you'll oversee VAT compliance across the UK, Europe and Australia, manage relationships with HMRC and external tax advisers, lead on audits, and ensure robust tax controls, reporting processes and systems. You'll also lead and develop the indirect tax team, helping shape how the function evolves as technology and AI transform tax processes.

What We're Looking For

We're keen to hear from candidates with strong technical VAT and indirect tax expertise, experience advising on complex commercial arrangements and international supply chains, and the confidence to influence stakeholders at all levels. Experience gained within a Big Four or comparable tax advisory environment would be particularly valuable, alongside a commercially minded approach and the ability to translate technical tax matters into practical business solutions.

Pharmaceutical or life sciences experience with a recognised tax or accounting qualification is expected.

Why the company?

This is an opportunity to step beyond traditional VAT compliance and take on a visible, commercially influential role within a specialist global pharmaceutical services business. You'll have broad international exposure, work on technically challenging projects and help shape the future of the indirect tax function, with flexible remote working arrangements available.

Benefits

*27 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays

*Discretionary Bonus Scheme

*Pension contributions 5% matched

*Life assurance 4 x annual salary

*Flexible Benefits Platform with £25/month Company contribution

*Annual salary review

*Independent financial advice service

*Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme

*Shopping discounts with retailers

*Long service awards

*Recognition scheme & employee of the year awards

Interested in making a broader commercial impact with your indirect tax expertise? We'd love to hear from you.