We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.
Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.
We connect. We inspire.
Purpose of the Role:
Reporting to the Group Tax Manager, as Tax Manager, you will play a key role in supporting the Group Tax Manager on all Direct (e.g., Corporation Tax, Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, etc.) tax initiatives across the UK and International Regions and Countries covering strategic developments in tax policies, processes, procedures, and systems. This will include contributing to mitigation of global tax risks and ensuring complex operations globally are managed tax efficiently, delivering opportunities for future growth in the scope of operations and new initiatives.
This role will require a person with strong knowledge of large international organisations with multiple product / service channels and with solid experience in coordinating and sharing tax best practice with Regions and Countries.
You will be a forward looking, innovative and commercial thinking finance professional. You will have the ability to organize, articulate and analyse financial and tax information and produce valuable input to the organization into minimizing tax risk and maximising financial surpluses which need to be managed extremely carefully as the Council undergoes transformation changes.
The successful candidate will be part of a specialist team within the organisation, the Status & Tax Workstream, which continues to review the appropriateness of our corporate status in overseas territories as activities evolve and in response to local regulatory requirements. The Tax Manager will work with external advisers, global network colleagues and head office specialists in legal, finance systems, treasury, and governance on the taxation aspects of country-specific projects to design and implement new status solutions as required.
The support needs of the British Council are changing continually as its business model and distribution channels becomes more complicated and onerous in terms of compliance. This will require people who embrace change and seek continual service improvements and career development aspirations.
Accountabilities:
• Provide technical and advisory support across all tax disciplines, to all areas of the organisation working in conjunction with other group tax team members. Support global tax reporting and forecasting as part of financial reporting process.
• Work with finance business partners, transfer pricing manager, regional finance colleagues and subsidiaries accountants, to implement appropriate transfer pricing charging arrangements for intra-group services within the group for cost effectiveness and for compliance with the UK and global tax laws and obligations.
• For specific country tax and status regularisation projects, provide support to the Group Tax Manager in the technical consulting role on taxation aspects (in particular, local direct tax withholding tax and sales taxes), including reviewing instructions to local tax advisers tailored to our specific business needs, challenging, and interpreting advice and liaison with country finance, legal, governance and global network colleagues to ensure compliant and tax efficient solutions.
• Support Group Tax Manager to devise direct tax policies, processes, and procedures to ensure proper controls are in place to support the British Council’s direct and indirect compliance obligations and statutory requirements in all countries and especially where changes of entity status take place or have already taken place.
• Support the Director Group Tax and Status and Group Tax Manager in devising direct tax strategy to deal with new legislation, manage tax liabilities and ensure relationships with overseas tax authorities are appropriately managed.
Qualifications & Experience:
Analytical skills – ability to precisely frame advisers’ terms of reference, interpret external advice and apply complex legislation to specific problems and circumstances.
Effective communication and influencing skills, ability to explain complex technical issues to lay colleagues in clear and commercial way.
Building relationships at all levels of the organisation.
Flexibility, independence, and initiative to perform successfully in a rapidly changing environment.
Ability to operate effectively and prioritise in a busy global facing role.
Technical knowledge:
- Operating in International and multi-cultural organisations
- Direct Tax Law
- Familiarity with principles of transfer pricing and international tax concepts (e.g., permanent establishment, double tax agreements and application of withholding taxes) and practical experience of implementing or advising on strategies involving these concepts.
- Handling complex negotiations or contentious issues with tax authorities
Specific experience:
- International Tax planning
- Transfer pricing principles
- Tax assessment in business set up and global growth.
- Statutory legal entity reporting
- Tax compliance, control, and governance
- Risk management
You must be CTA, ADIT or ATT qualified with Chartered Institute of Taxation or equivalent professional body.
A desirable qualification is Membership/fellowship of one of the following:
• Institute of Chartered Accountants (ACA)• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Important Information:
Department: Finance.
Contract type: Indefinite (Permanent)
Contract Hours: Full time - 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
Pay band: 8
Salary: Starting from £38,820 - £46,000 plus London Market Allowance of £3,300 per annum if you are based in the London Area. (For candidates with exceptional skills, knowledge and experience specific to the role, the British Council may consider a moderate broadening of the advertised pay range).
Benefits: 32 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and an excellent civil service pension.
Location of the role: UK - London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast.
Closing Date: Sunday 7th June 2026 at 23:59 UK time.
Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in the UK at the time of application.
Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.
Interviews will be held around the end of June.
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.
Safeguarding Statement
The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.
If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org
