Requirements
Requires senior tax leadership experience in a multinational, financial services, or professional services organization, with strong UK corporate tax expertise and broad international tax knowledge. Candidates should have experience in tax compliance, accounting, governance, stakeholder influence, and team leadership; a relevant tax, accounting, law, or finance qualification or equivalent experience is expected, while insurance-sector experience is advantageous.
Job Description
Head of Tax, UK & Europe
Role Highlights
- London or Leeds based role with hybrid working
- Lead the tax function across the UK and Europe, influencing regional and global tax strategy
- Happy to talk flexible working
We have an exciting opportunity to lead our Tax function across the UK and Europe, providing strategic direction and trusted advice to senior leaders while ensuring we meet our tax, regulatory and governance obligations.
As a member of the Global Tax Leadership Team, you will help shape our global tax strategy and lead a talented regional team through continued change and transformation.
Having the right to work in the UK is a requirement for this role. QBE may consider sponsorship at its discretion.
About QBE
At QBE, we get to the heart of what matters for our customers. And we do it all with a human touch.
We’re an international insurer with more than 13,000 people working across 26 countries – which means we’re big enough for your ambitions, yet small enough for you to make a real impact. It’s an exciting time. We’re building momentum towards our vision to become the most consistent and innovative risk partner.
What if you could have a positive impact – at work and in the world? As part of the QBE team, you’ll get to spend every day working with people who are passionate, talented and kind.
Your new role:
Reporting into the Group Tax function, you will be QBE’s senior Tax representative for the UK and Europe. You will lead a regional team, represent Tax with executive and Board-level stakeholders and contribute to the development of our global tax strategy, policies and operating approach. The role currently has three direct reports and involves close collaboration with Tax colleagues around the world.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Develop and deliver the UK and European tax strategy, aligned with Group Tax and broader business objectives.
- Provide strategic, commercially focused tax advice to senior leaders on business initiatives, transactions, restructuring and change.
- Oversee direct and indirect tax compliance, tax accounting, reporting, forecasting, provisions and financial statement disclosures across the region.
- Identify and manage tax risks, maintaining effective governance, controls and documentation in line with Group policies and regulatory requirements.
- Lead relationships with tax authorities, regulators and external advisers, including the management of audits, enquiries, reviews and disputes.
- Monitor international tax, transfer pricing, OECD and regulatory developments, assessing their impact and ensuring risks are understood and managed.
- Lead transformation and continuous improvement across tax processes, technology, controls and operating models.
- Build strong partnerships across Finance, Legal, Risk, Treasury and the wider business, connecting regional priorities with the global Tax function.
- Lead, develop and mentor the regional Tax team, building capability, succession and a collaborative, high-performing culture.
- Contribute to global Tax leadership discussions, helping shape Group-wide strategy, policies, governance and priorities.
- Senior tax leadership experience gained within a multinational organisation, financial services business or leading professional services firm.
- Strong UK corporate tax expertise, supported by a broad understanding of international taxation, transfer pricing, indirect taxes and cross-border matters.
- Experience overseeing tax compliance, accounting, reporting, governance, controls and relationships with tax authorities or regulators.
- Commercial judgement and the confidence to advise and influence executive, Board-level and global stakeholders on complex tax risks and business decisions.
- Proven people leadership experience, including leading teams through change, transformation and continuous improvement.
- A relevant professional qualification in Tax, Accounting, Law or Finance, or equivalent experience, as well as general insurance or wider insurance-sector experience would be advantageous.
We offer a range of benefits to help provide holistic support for your work life, whatever your circumstances. As well as the benefits below we also offer an extensive choice of other options to suit you!
- 30 days holiday a year with the option to buy up to 2 additional days.
- Flexible working - balancing work and life is important so our flexible working opportunities are open to all, this can include part-time, job share and compressed hours.
- Pension – you are automatically enrolled into the QBE pension plan, which entitles you to receive employer contributions of 10% of your basic salary.
- Private medical insurance – we fund fully comprehensive private medical cover for you and all the family.
- Family friendly policies – we offer 26 weeks leave at full pay regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation or how you become a parent.
- Short term remote work abroad - you can request up to 20 days per year to work remotely from certain locations abroad.
- Sustainable investing - we believe sustainable integration is important for long term financial, environmental, and social outcomes. Our pension strategy supports our net-zero goal to achieve year-on-year reductions in carbon footprint, by investing more in green businesses than the broader market, so your savings are looking after the planet's future, as well as your own.
- Cycle-to-Work – benefit from regular exercise whilst making your commute greener and cheaper, select and bike and/or accessories up to the value of £5,000.
Awards & Recognition
We value our employee’s experience with us and are proud to have been recognised for the following awards:
- Insurance Post British Insurance Awards 2025: Winner: Commercial Lines Insurer of the Year, Winner: Reinsurer of the Year - QBE Re, Winner: ESG, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year
- Insurance Post British Insurance Awards 2023: QBE rated as a 5-Star Employee
Your career.
At the heart of it.
Skills:
Coaching for success, Communication, Complaint Management, Critical Thinking, Finance Strategy, Financial Data Reporting, Financial Management, Influencing, Intentional collaboration, Managing performance, Navigating ambiguity, Process Refinement, Professional Development, Stakeholder Management, Strategic LeadershipApplication Close Date: 06/10/2026 11:59 PM
How to Apply:
To submit your application, click "Apply" and follow the step by step process.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
QBE is an equal opportunity employer and is required to comply with equal employment opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction it operates.
Education
Skills
About QBE Europe
At QBE we’re driven by our purpose of enabling a more resilient future. QBE is an international insurer and reinsurer headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with local presence in 26 countries. With hundreds of products and deep underwriting expertise, QBE European Operations cover most business risks. We apply our energy and determination to finding solutions to even the most complex challenges – and we’re not afraid to try something new, even if it means going against market conventions. We don't just see ourselves as an insurer, but a partner to our customers in helping to navigate uncertainty. We provide tailored solutions across commercial, personal, and specialty products, as well as risk management solutions to help individuals and businesses manage risks, build strength and embrace change. Whether it’s through our people, our deep expertise or our commitment to building strong relationships, we get to the heart of it. QBE Insurance Europe is a specialist in business insurance and is active in both the Lloyd’s and company markets. Outside of our London headquarters, we operate from seven regional centres in the UK and are present in the major European markets, Dubai, Canada and Singapore. We have an in-depth understanding of each of our chosen markets and our ability to combine local expertise with the broad knowledge of our product specialists enables us to provide innovative solutions in each territory.
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