Lead Specialist - Tax

Job Title - Lead Specialist, UK Corporate Tax Compliance (Senior Tax Manager)

Description - Own Pearson’s UK corporate tax compliance and reporting cycle across a complex group, combining deep technical expertise with commercial judgement and process improvement. Also known in the market as: Senior Corporate Tax Manager; UK Corporate Tax Senior Manager; Senior Manager, Corporate Tax Compliance and Reporting.

About the Role

The UK is Pearson’s second largest market, with complex businesses across multiple business units, central corporate functions and group financing activity. This role has direct responsibility for managing the UK corporate tax compliance process and associated matters.

You will deliver the annual cycle from year-end tax provisions and statutory accounts disclosures through to tax computations and filings. You will also identify effective tax rate and cash-tax risks and opportunities, support business decisions and contribute to wider tax projects.

This role suits someone with strong UK tax technical skills who enjoys accountability, autonomy and improving how work gets done.

What You’ll Do

• Lead UK year-end tax reporting, provisions, prior-year adjustments, SOX controls and tax journals.
• Own statutory tax reporting, tax numbers and disclosure notes with finance teams.
• Manage timely UK corporation tax returns and related filings through a Big Four outsource, including RDEC claims.
• Provide day-to-day tax support on new initiatives, supply chains, contracting models and group projects.
• Assess UK tax law changes and lead Pillar 2 strategy and compliance activity.
• Deliver cash-tax forecasting, HMRC payments and contributions to group ETR forecasting.
• Partner with Treasury on tax-efficient intragroup financing, derivatives and foreign exchange matters.
• Act as a key HMRC contact for audits, SAO, Business Risk Review and general correspondence.

What We’re Looking For

• University degree and a relevant professional qualification in accounting, tax or law.
• At least three years of UK tax experience gained in-house and/or at Tax Manager level or above in practice.
• Experience delivering, or making a significant contribution to, the UK compliance cycle for a group of entities.
• Strong tax accounting capability and confidence with year-end and statutory reporting.
• Commercial awareness and interest in understanding the businesses you support.
• Ability to build trusted relationships across Finance, Treasury, Legal, business teams, auditors and advisers.
• Strong project management, organisation, communication and documentation skills.
• A proactive, collaborative working style and the ability to operate independently.
• ERP experience is preferred; Pearson uses Oracle.

Location & Working Pattern

• Hybrid/Central London. Remote working from elsewhere in the UK may also be considered. Final office-attendance and travel expectations will be discussed during the process.
• Why Join Pearson?
• This is an opportunity to own a critical UK tax remit with broad exposure across reporting, compliance, forecasting, business advice, HMRC engagement, transformation and wider global tax initiatives.
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