Head of Tax (London)

Description

Side is a global video game development and services provider, delivering technical and creative services to many of the largest developers and studios worldwide. Founded in Japan in 1994, Side has become a global force in the gaming industry. Our industry‑leading services include art production, game development, quality assurance, player support, community management, localization, localization QA, audio production, and data collection. With an international presence in North America, Europe, South America and Asia, Side is building a world‑class finance and compliance function to support its growth.

Role Overview

Side is seeking a commercially minded and technically strong Head of Tax to lead the Group’s global tax compliance and transfer pricing strategy, minimizing the Group’s effective tax rate. The role will ensure robust tax governance across international operations, manage external advisors, oversee transfer pricing strategy and compliance, and mitigate tax risk. Reporting directly to the CFO, the Head of Tax will strengthen tax processes, support audits, and ensure efficient and compliant operations across multiple jurisdictions. This newly created position is ideal for an experienced professional who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and can design, implement, and manage a robust international tax function as an individual contributor.

Tax Compliance & Reporting

• Oversee all Group corporate tax compliance across jurisdictions.
• Manage the preparation and review of corporate tax returns, provisions, and filings.
• Ensure timely and accurate quarterly and annual tax reporting.
• Maintain oversight of indirect tax (VAT/GST) compliance where applicable.
• Ensure timely and accurate filing of all corporate income tax, VAT/GST, and withholding tax returns across all jurisdictions.
• Work with the D365 systems manager to use the system for improved compliance and reporting functionality.
• Oversee preparation and review of tax provisions for consolidated financial statements (IFRS/local GAAP).
• Monitor changes in tax legislation and assess impact on the Group.

Transfer Pricing

• Own the Group’s global transfer pricing framework.
• Ensure transfer pricing documentation is prepared and maintained in line with OECD guidelines.
• Oversee intercompany pricing policies and align them with operational reality.
• Manage external advisors supporting transfer pricing documentation and benchmarking.
• Support defence of transfer pricing positions in audits or enquiries.
• Work with the Treasury Director on efficient financing arrangements for inter‑group and intra‑group debt, including associated interest rates and timing of tax cash payments for cashflow forecasting.

Tax Risk & Governance

• Develop and maintain appropriate tax governance policies and controls.
• Act as the primary point of contact and build relationships with tax authorities and external advisors.
• Manage tax audits and enquiries.
• Identify and mitigate tax risks across the Group.

Advisory & Business Support

• Provide tax support on commercial initiatives, contracts, and cross‑border transactions.
• Serve as the primary tax advisor to executive leadership, the parent company and business partners within operating entities.
• Partner closely with the Group Financial Controller on both compliance and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with Finance, Legal and operational teams to ensure tax implications are understood.
• Support modelling and analysis related to international structuring as required.
• Support entity simplification of Side’s corporate structure, working with the CFO and finance leadership team.
• Assist the CFO with board‑level reporting on tax matters when required.

External Advisor Management

• Manage relationships with local advisors globally.
• Drive cost control and ensure value from external advisory spend.
• Coordinate global compliance calendar across multiple jurisdictions.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Qualified tax professional (e.g., CTA, ACA, or equivalent).
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in international corporate tax, ideally including time in an accounting firm and an in‑house role in a similar or related industry.
• Strong knowledge of international tax laws and cross‑border structuring.
• Demonstrable experience managing tax across multiple jurisdictions (especially UK, the US, and APAC or EU).
• Experience with initiatives to monitor and reduce an international group’s effective tax rate.
• Experience with high‑growth and public companies is a plus.
• Strong expertise in international corporate tax and transfer pricing.
• Experience managing multi‑jurisdictional compliance.
• Experience handling tax audits and authority interactions.
• Comfortable operating in a lean environment with reliance on advisors.

Skills & Attributes

• Commercially pragmatic with strong risk awareness.
• Hands‑on and detail‑oriented.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Able to communicate tax matters clearly to non‑tax stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑moving, international business environment.

Benefits

• Hybrid working: 3 days studio based.
• Annual leave: 26 days per year (plus public holidays).
• Bonus: Eligibility to participate in the company’s discretionary bonus scheme with a target of 20 % (covered at offer stage).
• Pension: Company pension contribution (3 % confirmed at offer stage).
• Dedicated employee wellbeing programme.
• Regular team socials.
• An inclusive community welcoming LGBTQ+ individuals and anyone of any age, ethnicity, religion, or disability.
• Studios based in Kings Cross with onsite amenities including gym, café, on‑site bar, and transport to and from Kings Cross station.

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