Direct Tax Manager (8M FTC)
Salary: Competitive Plus Benefits
Location: Coventry Store Support Centre - Ansty Park, Coventry, CV7 9RD
Contract type: Fixed-Term Assignment
Business area: Finance & Business Development
Closing date: 10 March 2026
Requisition ID: 400051080
We’d all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury’s. For a FTSE business, we move incredibly fast. When we’re not handling projects, we’re helping all corners of the wider group with what they’re trying to achieve. And around here, you can see the results of your work as soon as you walk into a store, which gives you a real sense of purpose and responsibility. Better still, the team around you will listen to your ideas and opinions, and you’ll have every chance to try something new. The sheer scale and complexity of our set-up means there’s always something else around the corner, and we’ll help and support you every step of the way. We’re trusted to get on with it. So get ready to make things happen here.
Location: London, Coventry or Manchester Store Support Centre & Home.
Why join us
Joining the Direct Tax team at Sainsbury's offers a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in managing the UK corporation tax responsibilities for a leading multi-channel retail business. As a Direct Tax Manager, you will be part of a collaborative and supportive environment where you can leverage your expertise in tax compliance, reporting, and strategic initiatives. Working alongside experienced professionals and utilising resources like technical databases and external tax advisors, you will have the chance to make impactful decisions, drive process improvements, and contribute to the company's tax strategy. With a focus on continuous learning, development, and professional growth, this role provides a platform for you to excel and thrive in a dynamic and rewarding work environment.
What you'll do
As the Direct Tax Manager, you will be responsible for the preparation of UK corporation tax returns and related filings, as well as overseeing the Tax Group Reporting process. Your role will involve owning the compliance lifecycle for an allocation of group companies, managing the Pension and Fixed asset tax calculations, and supporting on group reconstructions and company eliminations. Additionally, you will assist in HMRC enquiries, work on external relationships with Capital Allowance advisors, and provide in-house tax support on corporate projects and initiatives, ensuring compliance with changing legislation and identifying process improvements within the team. Your success in this role will depend on your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, communicate and influence stakeholders, demonstrate strategic and analytical thinking, and showcase strong analytical skills in tax compliance and reporting.
Who you are
You are a qualified Chartered Accountant or a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation with significant UK corporation tax experience and a strong proficiency in tax compliance and reporting. With your great communication and influencing skills, combined with broad-based business and commercial awareness, you excel in building stakeholder relationships and providing in-house tax support on corporate projects and initiatives. Your ability to proactively identify process improvements, exercise professional judgement in tax matters, and collaborate effectively with internal and external partners demonstrates your strategic thinking, analytical skills, and commitment to delivering results in a dynamic business environment.
Essential Criteria
- Professional qualification: Qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or equivalent) or a current member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT)
- UK corporation tax expertise: Demonstrable experience in UK corporation tax, including responsibility for tax compliance and statutory or management tax reporting
- Data and systems capability: Proven ability to use Microsoft Excel for tax analysis, calculations, and reporting in a professional environment
- Analysis, planning, and delivery: Evidence of applying analytical and strategic thinking to plan work, execute tasks, and deliver agreed outcomes within deadlines, with clear accountability for results
- Stakeholder communication and collaboration: Demonstrable experience of working collaboratively with colleagues and business stakeholders, including the ability to communicate tax-related matters clearly and influence decision-making
Please note, we are looking for an individual who can start in May as this is a maternity cover role.
#LI-CE1
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new - whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them: Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave.
Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 15% off at Sainsbury’s every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day. We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover. You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 20% of salary, depending on how we perform.
Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy additional holiday. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, interest free car loan of up to £10k, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, pay advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers. And if you ever need it there is also an Employee Assistance Programme, you will also be eligible for private healthcare too.
Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).
