Head of Tax Germany
WPP
Required skills
About the role
Translated into English from German by Korum. The employer's original wording is on their site.
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands.
We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company - powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.
We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.
Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.
For more information, visit WPP.com.
Germany is WPP's third-largest market - characterised by high complexity, diverse agency structures and comprehensive transformation processes. To create more consistency, transparency and efficiency here, we are looking for you as Head of Tax Germany.
In this role you will build and lead our centralised tax organisation. You will support strategic key projects (such as M&A, structural simplifications and finance transformations such as FTOM) and act as the central point of contact for management, agency CFOs and global teams. Your goal: business-oriented tax management with a focus on governance, risk minimisation and sustainable value creation.
What you'll be doing:
- Strategic Leadership & Operating Model: You will develop, implement and lead the German Tax Target Operating Model and build a first-class tax function.
- Tax Transformation: Leading the tax transformation in Germany and its integration into the Finance Target Operating Model (FTOM).
- Structural Optimisation & M&A: You will support M&A transactions, restructurings and the simplification of company and operating structures.
- Team Leadership: Professional and people leadership and further development of the German tax team (including organisational design and succession planning).
- Tax Compliance & Reporting: Overall responsibility for tax compliance, tax returns and reporting (including income, trade and indirect taxes as well as transfer pricing).
- Tax Audits & Risk Management: Leading tax audits and developing the Tax Control Framework to actively minimise tax risks.
- Strategic Advice: You advise local management, agency CFOs and Finance Directors practically on all complex tax matters.
- Interface & Stakeholder Management: Close collaboration with Global Tax, Legal, GBS and external advisers, and representation of local market needs at global level.
- Process Optimisation: Identifying efficiency potential, reducing duplicated work and the targeted management of external service providers.
- Clear Translation: You translate complex tax topics clearly and in a solution-oriented way for leaders without a tax background.
What you'll need:
- Solid Tax Expertise: Several years of senior experience in German tax law (corporate, trade and indirect taxes, transfer pricing, compliance) in a complex, international group environment.
- Transformation & M&A Experience: Demonstrable success in tax transformations, Target Operating Models, company simplifications and restructurings.
- Audit & Risk Management: Confident handling of German tax authorities, leading complex tax audits and building governance and tax control systems.
- Leadership Strength: Experience in building and developing teams and in leading employees through change processes.
- Business Partner Mindset: Strong stakeholder management (Global Tax, CFOs, GBS, external advisers) and the ability to translate complex tax questions pragmatically into practice.
- Qualifications & Background: Successfully passed the German tax adviser examination, legal or finance background, or experience from a Big Four firm or an in-house senior role.
- Language Skills: Fluent German and English.
- Industry Experience: Ideally, know-how from media, advertising, tech, the creative industries or professional services.
- Finance & Systems Affinity: Experience with HGB/IFRS, ERP and tax systems (e.g. Dynamics 365, Lucanet, Impero, DATEV) and finance transformation projects.
Who you are:
- You are open: We are inclusive and work together in a spirit of partnership; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and value different perspectives. We are open: to new ideas, new partnerships and new ways of working.
- You are optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to shape a better future for our people, our clients and our communities. We approach everything we do with conviction: trying new things and seeking the unexpected.
- You are exceptional: Together we are stronger - through collaboration we achieve great things. We are creative pioneers and trailblazers in our industry; every day we deliver exceptional work.
What we offer you:
- Passionate, inspired people - We want to create a culture in which people can achieve exceptional things.
- Scale and opportunity - We offer you the chance to shape, influence and bring to completion projects on a scale unprecedented in the industry.
- Demanding and stimulating work - Unique tasks and the chance to become part of a team of creative problem solvers. Are you ready for the challenge?
#LI-Hybrid
We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wpp.com/en/careers/wpp-privacy-policy-for-recruitment) for more information on how we process the information you provide.
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