Group Tax Manager - Sandton - HR-Simplified (Pty) Ltd

Description

About Job Role

The Group Tax Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing the Group's tax strategy, compliance activities and tax‑related risk management across South Africa and all foreign jurisdictions in which the Group operates. The role includes responsibility for the Group's tax framework, covering corporate income tax, indirect taxes, transfer pricing and readiness for Pillar Two requirements. The incumbent will work closely with finance and business leaders to support accurate and timely tax submissions, strengthen internal controls and compliance and help the Group achieve effective after‑tax outcomes.

The Group Tax Manager reports to the Group Chief Financial Officer and works closely with the Group Head of Finance and the divisional Chief Financial Officers.

This role is based in Johannesburg, with local and international travel required from time to time.

Key Responsibilities

Tax Strategy & Planning

Provide strategic tax advice on corporate income tax, with working knowledge of international tax law, transfer pricing, VAT, individual tax and customs.
Develop and operationalise the Group tax strategy aligned to business growth, capital structure and cash tax optimisation.
Evaluate and implement strategic tax structuring for new markets, group reorganisations, IP/financing structures and M&A (pre- and post-deal).
Own the Group's Pillar Two readiness (scope, data, modelling, safe harbours, compliance approach) and advise Exco on impacts, effective tax rate (ETR) volatility, and disclosures.
Lead forecasting for ETR, cash taxes and tax balance sheet planning in partnership with Divisional heads and Group Finance.

Tax Compliance (SA & International)

Oversee, in conjunction with the various accounting teams, the entities corporate income tax returns, provisional tax, VAT, PAYE/EMP201/501 and withholding taxes and ensure accurate SARS eFiling processes and reconciliations.
Coordinate timely filings across all jurisdictions with local finance/advisors, including CIT, VAT/GST/STT, payroll taxes, withholding taxes and local incentives/credits.
Maintain a central compliance calendar and status dashboard to drive timeous and accurate submissions.

Transfer Pricing (TP)

Own the Group TP policy, documentation and governance including Master File, Local Files, and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting (where applicable).
Monitor intercompany pricing models (services, distribution, manufacturing, financing, IP) and ensure operational alignment with legal agreements and ERP execution.
Manage TP risk assessments, benchmarking, and defendability.

Tax Accounting & Reporting (IFRS / IAS 12)

Own the Group tax accounting policies, processes, and controls for monthly close and year-end.
Review current and deferred tax computations, manage uncertain tax positions, reconciliations, tax packs and audit support.
Prepare tax note disclosures and management commentary.

Tax Risk Management, Governance & Controls

Maintain the Group tax risk register, appetite statement, and control framework.
Lead tax audits, enquiries and disputes with SARS and foreign authorities.
Ensure adherence to South African exchange control regulations (SARB) for cross-border flows and intercompany arrangements.

Indirect Taxes & Customs

Oversee VAT/GST compliance and advisory for the Group.
Support customs & excise matters where relevant.

Data, Systems & Process Excellence

Drive automation and data quality for tax.
Standardise tax packs, source-to-tax data models and documentation retention across the Group.
Implement analytics to monitor tax KPIs, anomalies and compliance health.

Stakeholder Management & Training

Serve as primary tax advisor to the Group CFO, Divisional CFO's, Legal, Treasury, HR/Payroll and Business Unit leaders.
Manage external advisors and build cost-effective internal capability.
Deliver training to finance and business teams on tax obligations, TP execution and process expectations.

Special Projects

M&A: tax due diligence, SPA tax clauses, structuring, step plans, legal entity rationalisation and post-merger integration.
Incentives & grants: identify, model, apply, track compliance.
Cash repatriation planning, withholding tax relief (DTAs), foreign tax credit optimisation.

Qualifications | Years of Experience

Qualifications

CA(SA) or CTA with MCom (Taxation) / HDip Tax (or equivalent)

Experience

Minimum 8 years' experience in a tax role within a corporate tax department or tax advisory environment.
Solid technical knowledge of South African tax legislation.
Working knowledge of international tax principles.
Experience with SARS eFiling, SARS audits, cross-border tax considerations and multinational tax compliance.
Experience with tax reporting, including current and deferred tax (IAS 12).
Demonstrated ability to develop strategic tax solutions aligned with business objectives.
Prior experience in a multinational group tax environment.

Desirable

Exposure to Pillar Two implementation.
Experience in transfer pricing documentation and intercompany governance.