Head of Tax Germany (m/w/d)

The role

You will build and lead a centralized tax organization for WPP in Germany. You will support key projects such as M&A, structure simplification and finance transformation, and act as the main contact for management, agency CFOs and global teams.

What you will do

• Develop, implement and lead the German tax Target Operating Model and build a first-class tax function
• Lead tax transformation in Germany and its integration into the Finance Target Operating Model (FTOM)
• Support M&A transactions, restructurings and the simplification of company and operating structures
• Lead and develop the German tax team, including organization design and succession planning
• Own tax compliance, tax returns and reporting (income, trade and indirect taxes, transfer pricing)
• Lead tax audits and develop the Tax Control Framework to minimize tax risks
• Advise local management, agency CFOs and Finance Directors on complex tax questions
• Work closely with Global Tax, Legal, GBS and external advisors, and represent local market needs globally
• Identify efficiency gains, reduce duplicate work and manage external service providers
• Explain complex tax topics clearly to leaders without a tax background

Required qualifications

• Several years of senior experience in German tax law (corporate, trade and indirect taxes, transfer pricing, compliance) in a complex international group
• Proven success in tax transformations, target operating models, company simplifications and restructurings
• Confident handling of German tax authorities, leading complex audits and building governance and tax control systems
• Experience building and leading teams through change
• Strong stakeholder management and the ability to translate complex tax questions into practical solutions
• Successfully passed the German Steuerberater examination, or a legal or finance background, or experience from a Big Four firm or an in-house senior role
• Negotiation-level German and English
• Experience with HGB/IFRS, ERP and tax systems (e.g. Dynamics 365, Lucanet, Impero, DATEV) and finance transformation projects

Nice to have

• Industry experience in media, advertising, tech, the creative industries or professional services

Benefits

• Passionate, inspired people and a culture where exceptional work is possible
• Scale and opportunity to shape and complete projects of unusual size in the industry
• Challenging, stimulating work as part of a team of creative problem solvers

Before you apply

• Hybrid work with teams in the office around four days a week
• Accommodations or flexibility can be discussed with the hiring team during the interview process

About the company

WPP is a growth partner for leading brands, combining media intelligence, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and strategic counsel. It works with some of the world's most valuable brands across more than 100 markets.