Head of Product Tax - Europe

The Role

We are looking for a Head of Product Tax to lead Vanguard's product tax agenda across Europe, with responsibility for the tax affairs of Vanguard's European product range across the fund, portfolio and investor lifecycle. You will provide strategic and technical product tax advice to the business, oversee product tax risk, governance, compliance and service-provider delivery, and support tax-efficient outcomes for Vanguard's funds and investors. 

You will report to the Head of European Tax and will work closely with the broader Europe Tax management team and business stakeholders to support Vanguard's tax strategy, governance framework and business objectives. 

In this role you will

• Lead Vanguard's product tax strategy across Europe, ensuring alignment with product, distribution and broader business objectives while supporting the delivery of Vanguard's European tax strategy
• Act as the lead technical adviser on European product tax matters across the product lifecycle, including new product launches and changes, distribution into new markets, portfolio activity, investor taxation and product documentation
• Lead the preparation, review and oversight of product tax compliance and reporting, including investor tax reporting, fund tax reporting and documentation, withholding tax and reclaim processes, ensuring obligations are delivered accurately and on a timely basis
• Own the product tax risk management framework across Europe, including the identification, assessment, monitoring and mitigation of product tax risks, and ensure appropriate governance, controls and processes are maintained
• Oversee product tax service providers and outsourced delivery, ensuring appropriate governance, quality and value, and driving accountability and continuous improvement in service delivery
• Lead the management of portfolio tax matters, including withholding tax positions, reclaim opportunities and other portfolio-level taxes, partnering with relevant global tax, investment and operational teams to manage tax drag and support fund performance
• Own the assessment of legislative and regulatory developments affecting Vanguard's European products and investors, providing guidance on resulting risks, opportunities, compliance requirements and product or business implications. Partner with the Head of Tax Change where developments require significant cross-functional or operational implementation
• Provide product tax advice and business support across Product, Distribution, Client Services, Marketing, Operations and other relevant functions, including the tax profile and tax efficiency of Vanguard's products, investor communications and market-specific requirements
• Partner with Global Tax and other global stakeholders on product tax matters, representing European requirements and providing European tax expertise in relation to investment markets, product structures, tax documentation and global initiatives
• Provide technical leadership, coaching and mentoring across the European Product Tax team, supporting the development of tax talent and working collaboratively with the Europe Tax management team on matters spanning multiple tax disciplines

What it takes

• Professionally qualified tax and/or accounting professional, such as CTA, ACA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent
• Significant product, fund or investment tax experience within asset management, financial services or a major professional services firm
• Strong technical expertise across fund, portfolio and investor taxation, with practical knowledge of European product tax and cross-border investment issues
• Experience overseeing product tax compliance, reporting and third-party service providers across multiple jurisdictions
• Strong understanding of withholding taxes, tax reclaims, investor tax reporting and the tax implications of fund structures and investment markets
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex tax issues, exercise sound judgement and provide practical, commercially focused and risk-based advice
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and partner effectively across Product, Distribution, Operations, Finance, Legal and global tax functions
• Experience providing technical leadership, coaching and mentoring within a collaborative team environment
• Strong commercial judgement, communication and business partnering skills

Special Factors 

• Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position
• This is a hybrid position and would require you to work in the office 3 days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday)
• Please note that we review applications on a rolli
• ng basis and may close this role early if there is a high level of interest. To avoid missing out, we recommend applying as soon as possible

Why Vanguard? 

Vanguard is a different kind of investment company. It was founded in the United States in 1975 on a simple but revolutionary idea: that an investment company should manage its funds solely in the interests of its clients. 

This is a philosophy that has helped millions of people around the world to achieve their goals with low-cost, uncomplicated investments. 

It's what we stand for: value to investors. 

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.