Head of Tax, The Scotch Whisky Association - London/ Edinburgh/ Remote

The Scotch Whisky Association
Position: Head of Tax

Team: Strategy and Communications, reporting to the Director
Location: Edinburgh or London. SWA is moving towards a hybrid working model which will include homeworking. The ability to travel to the SWA’s offices regularly and other locations in the UK and occasionally further afield will be required over time.
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum
Benefits package: 25 days holiday and generous group personal pension plan

The Scotch Whisky Association

Scotch Whisky is a much-loved and prestigious spirit with a global reputation.  With a history that stretches back over 500 years, the industry combines a unique heritage with the global reach of an advanced manufacturer as the UK’s No.1 food and drink export. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is the trade association that supports the Scotch Whisky industry.  The industry’s vision is to ensure Scotch Whisky continues to be the world's undisputed premier whisky and consumers' spirit of choice. The SWA’s mission is to drive the best possible global business environment for Scotch. The SWA focuses on supporting market growth, advancing global sustainability and driving the Covid-19 recovery as its Strategic Priorities.

The SWA is led by its Chief Executive and is made up of five teams, each led by a Director and Deputy Director.  Each team plays its part in working to achieve the Strategic Priorities.  The teams are: International; Industry; Strategy and Communications; Legal; and Corporate Services. 

The role:

Within the Strategy and Communications team, the successful candidate will lead the work of the economic and data unit and develop campaigns for tax reform in both the UK and global markets. This will include building relationships with political stakeholders to grow support for reform and briefing them on industry’s tax priorities, identifying political opportunities to advocate for tax fairness and to advance campaigns and building media interest in tax reform.

The Head of Tax will also support the work of the Industry team in HMRC compliance and represent the industry’s views with HMRC and other authorities on post-transition arrangements.

The role will also involve working with members and HMRC to deliver long-term changes to the current excise policy landscape; responding to general HMRC-related queries from members and responding to HMRC consultations.

Please note that the job title Head of Tax is inline with other internal job titles, in other organisations it may be referred to as Tax Policy Manager.

The applicant

The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• The ability to communicate complex data and policy positions to a wide audience.
• The ability to collaborate with partner organisations, including internationally.
• The ability to build coalitions to advance campaign objectives. Good networking skills and an influential personality.

Candidates who match the following desirable criteria will be preferred:

• Knowledge of HM Treasury budget process and HMRC compliance requirements for excise goods.
• Experience of quantitative economic analysis.
• Understanding of alcohol taxation in the UK and overseas.
• Previous line management experience.

Equal Opportunities and Applications

The SWA is an equal opportunity employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy.

Expressions of interest together with a CV should be submitted by email to swajobs@gravitatehr.co.uk with ‘Head of Tax’ as the subject by no later than 31 August 2021. Initial interviews are projected to take place over digital platforms during early-September and second interviews will be conducted in person by early-October.