Working in Partnership for a happier world – our shared Purpose that guides us in everything we do and inspires 3 important principles; happier people, happier business, happier world. The John Lewis Partnership is a truly unique business, one that seeks to make a positive difference to the lives of everyone.

What’s the role about?

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the John Lewis & Partners  direct tax team. Reporting into the Tax Lead, you will be responsible for ensuring the overall compliance and integrity of the Partnership’s employment tax matters through ensuring compliance with legislation and regular monitoring and implementation of robust and sustainable tax controls.  You will provide advice to senior stakeholders on employment tax matters

As an Employment Tax Manager you will lead on the accurate, on-time filing and payment of all employment tax obligations to the relevant tax authorities (e.g. PAYE Settlement Agreement, STBV, Share incentive plan-related matters).  You will lead on employment tax related projects and engage with non tax related stakeholders across the Partnership.

As a leader in our business your number one focus will be to challenge and empower your teams to create more value for our customers and our business. You will drive policy and direction to further add value for our customers and business. 

Please note, this is a fixed term contract role due to finish at the end of December 2023.

What will you be doing?

• Support the Tax Lead in the identification and development of the overall Tax Strategy and Tax Policies for the Partnership

• Set clear intent, direction and guardrails to achieve outcomes, aligned to the Partnership strategy.

• Support Profession Leads to build capability and establish ways of working to deliver customer & business outcomes.

• Empower and support Partners through a team of managers to make decisions and resolve challenges.

• Enable Partners to have a voice in our business.

• Invest in your personal and professional development, acting as a role model for all Partners.

• Leverage insight and internal and external networks to keep abreast of key customer requirements, market conditions and trends, including technological advancements. 

• Own business processes, frameworks and tools within your area, continuously improving them to drive efficiency and effectiveness.

• Manage tasks to ensure processes and systems are adequate for the Partnership’s tax affairs to be fully compliant

• Identify opportunities to optimise the Partnership's tax position, leading on these to ensure that arrangements are managed and implemented in a controlled and accurate manner and in line with the Partnership tax strategy

• Maintain and create up-to-date positions and advisory papers on the Partnership’s tax treatment of employee benefits

• Ensure the tax team maintains close contact with other departments in the Partnership and provides advice and value added insight concerning initiatives and business change to ensure that tax implications are both known, understood and fully costed into business operations/proposals (e.g. Off Payroll working, overseas matters, severance, expenses, employee benefits)

• Direct tax excludes routine payroll reporting, but collaborates with Payroll stakeholders to assist with the design, testing and auditing of payroll compliance controls

• Review and communicate legislative changes and case law to both technical and non-technical audiences across the business

• Horizon scan for future tax changes in legislation and identify HMRC priority areas, partnering with relevant colleagues and process owners in a timely manner to ensure tax risks are identified and recommendations for tax compliance are made

• Work to identify training gaps and communications requirements in relation to tax obligations, compliance and opportunities

What you'll have 

• CTA qualified or significant equivalent experience

• Expert knowledge of UK employment taxes including PAYE, NIC, benefits, IR35 

• Direct advisory experience on tax matters most relevant to operational and low income earners - eg national minimum wage, statutory payments, salary sacrifice

• Experience of leading end-to-end tax projects 

• Experience of leading end-to-end UK employment tax reporting cycles

What else could you bring? 

• Experience of international employment tax and/or reporting in multiple jurisdictions