Partner, Group Head of Tax

Job description

Who are we Founded in 1896, Knight Frank was registered as Knight Frank LLP a Limited Liability Partnership, on 3 November 2003, registered in England & Wales at 55 Baker Street, London, W1U 8AN with the registered number of OC305934. Headquartered in London, UK, Knight Frank is one of the world's leading independent real estate consultancies. We work responsibly in partnership to enhance people's lives and environments in over 50 Markets, 600+ Offices, 20,000+ People, 1 Global Network. At the heart of all we do are our Clients. A relationship built on trust is vital. As trusted partners in property, we act with integrity and care, understanding our clients’ unique needs and consistently thinking about the bigger picture to provide personalised, clear and considered advice across all areas of property. Through our deep understanding of key markets and sectors – both emerging and established – we are dedicated to meeting and exceeding their property goals. A true partnership is a balanced one, and our People are passionate about, and committed to, making our business inclusive and diverse. We give every individual the space and opportunity to perform at their best and be recognised for the immense value they bring. We empower everyone to have autonomy in their role and encourage them to use their voice in how we can make a positive impact as a firm and shape the future of real estate, the built environment and the impact on the communities we serve. Our collaborative and engaged teams provide excellent and dedicated client service. In our workplace, opinions are respected, everyone is invited to contribute to the success of our business and innovation, and new ideas are celebrated. In 2021 we celebrated our 125th anniversary and set out Our Desired Future, cemented in three pillars: People Potential, Client Centricity and always Creating our Future, together. Learn more about what sets us apart here . About The Role Knight Frank is seeking a Partner, Group Head of Tax to join their Head Office in 55 Baker Street. Reporting into the Group CFO, the role will work closely with the Senior Partner, Group Finance leadership, regional finance leaders, Legal, Company Secretariat, external advisers and senior stakeholders across the business. The Group Head of Tax will be responsible for ensuring that the Partnership has an effective tax governance framework, appropriate controls and a clear approach to tax risk management. The role will provide regular advice and updates to relevant leadership and governance forums on tax strategy, material tax risks, regulatory developments and key areas of compliance. Purpose As a global partnership, our tax affairs are inherently complex, high-profile and strategically important. The Partnership requires a senior, experienced and commercially minded Group Head of Tax to lead the tax function and provide expert advice across the Group, with particular emphasis on UK partnership tax. The Group Head of Tax will play a critical role in ensuring that the Partnership’s tax strategy, governance, compliance and advisory capability are robust, forward-looking and aligned to the long-term ambitions of the business. This will include advising on the tax implications of our partnership structure, partner remuneration and profit allocation, international operations, investment decisions, business transformation and evolving regulatory requirements. This is a senior leadership role requiring deep technical expertise, excellent judgement and the ability to operate with credibility across a complex stakeholder environment. The successful candidate will need to understand the dynamics of a professional services partnership, where influence, trust, discretion and sound judgement are as important as technical capability. The role will act as a trusted adviser to the Group CFO, Senior Partner, Group leadership and relevant Boards, ensuring that tax considerations are properly understood, managed and embedded into key strategic and operational decisions. Key Responsibilities Group Tax Strategy: Develop and lead the Group’s tax strategy, ensuring it is aligned to the commercial aims, governance standards and long-term ambitions of the Partnership. Partnership Tax Leadership: Provide deep technical expertise on UK partnership tax matters, including LLP taxation, partner profit allocations, drawings, tax reserves, partner capital, self-assessment obligations and the tax implications of changes to partner remuneration or structure. Tax Governance & Risk Management: Establish and maintain a robust tax governance framework, ensuring appropriate oversight, controls, documentation and escalation of material tax risks across the Group. Trusted Adviser to Leadership: Act as a senior adviser to the Group CFO, Senior Partner and relevant Boards on complex tax matters, providing clear, pragmatic and commercially grounded advice. Partnership Structure & Strategic Change: Advise on the tax implications of changes to the Partnership structure, partner status, international expansion, operating model evolution, transactions, investments and other strategic initiatives. Compliance & Reporting: Oversee the delivery of accurate and timely tax compliance across relevant jurisdictions, ensuring the Partnership meets its statutory, regulatory and reporting obligations. HMRC & External Adviser Management: Lead and manage the relationship with HMRC and other tax authorities where appropriate, as well as external tax advisers, ensuring the Partnership receives high-quality, value-adding advice. International Tax: Provide oversight and advice on cross-border tax matters, including permanent establishment risk, transfer pricing, withholding tax, international partner arrangements and regional tax considerations. Partner Tax Support: Ensure the Partnership has clear and effective processes to support Partners with tax-related matters linked to their role within the LLP, while maintaining appropriate boundaries between firm-level and personal tax advice. Employment Taxes & Reward: Work closely with the People team, Finance and Legal teams on employment tax, partner reward, benefits, mobility, incentives and related tax implications. VAT & Indirect Tax: Provide oversight of VAT and other indirect tax matters, ensuring that risks are appropriately managed and the business receives practical advice on complex operational issues. Business Partnering: Build strong relationships across the Partnership, providing proactive tax input into business planning, commercial decisions and operational change. Process, Controls & Technology: Identify opportunities to improve the efficiency, quality and resilience of tax processes through better systems, controls, data and digital tools. Team Leadership: Lead, develop and strengthen the tax team, creating a high-performing, collaborative and technically excellent function which is valued by the business. External Horizon Scanning: Monitor legislative, regulatory and market developments, anticipating changes that may affect the Partnership and advising leadership on appropriate responses. Attributes & Skills The ideal candidate will understand the nature of a people business that offers highly professional client service on an international basis within a partnership culture. The ideal candidate will have: Extensive Partnership Tax Expertise: Deep and demonstrable experience of UK and Group partnership tax, ideally gained within a professional services, real estate, legal, accountancy or similarly complex partnership environment. Technical Credibility: Strong technical knowledge across corporate tax, partnership tax, international tax, VAT, employment taxes and tax governance, with the ability to apply that knowledge pragmatically. Strategic Thinking: Ability to understand the wider commercial agenda and advise on tax matters in a way that supports long-term strategic decision-making. Commercial Judgement: Strong business judgement, with the ability to balance technical tax requirements, commercial priorities, reputational considerations and risk appetite. Trusted Adviser: Ability to operate as a credible, discreet and trusted adviser to senior leaders and Partners, including on sensitive and complex matters. Partnership Mindset: A strong understanding of how partnerships operate, including the importance of Partner confidence, consensus-building, transparency and stewardship. Governance & Risk Management: Experience of designing and operating effective tax governance frameworks, controls and risk management processes. Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex tax issues clearly and confidently to non-tax specialists. Influence & Stakeholder Management: Ability to work effectively across functions, regions and seniority levels, building trust and influencing without relying solely on formal authority. Leadership: Proven ability to lead, develop and motivate a specialist team, creating clarity, accountability and a culture of high performance. Change & Improvement: Track record of improving tax processes, controls, reporting and ways of working, including through better use of data, systems and technology. External Adviser Management: Experience of appointing, managing and challenging external advisers to ensure high-quality, cost-effective advice. Significant experience of: UK partnership tax, including LLP structures and Partner tax matters. Operating in a professional services partnership or similarly complex stakeholder-led environment. Advising senior leadership, Boards or executive committees on complex tax matters. Managing tax governance, compliance and risk across a sizeable organisation. Working with HMRC and external tax advisers. International tax matters in a global or multi-jurisdictional environment. Partner remuneration, profit allocation, capital, drawings and related tax considerations. Leading and developing a specialist tax team. Supporting business transformation, structural change or strategic projects from a tax perspective. Translating complex technical issues into clear, practical and commercially relevant advice Personal Qualities: High integrity, discretion and sound judgement. Calm, measured and confident in handling sensitive or high-stakes matters. Pragmatic and solutions-focused, without compromising governance or compliance. Collaborative and collegiate, with a style that fits a partnership culture. Intellectually strong, technically rigorous and able to challenge constructively. Clear, concise and confident communicator. Proactive, forward-looking and able to anticipate issues before they become risks. Comfortable working in ambiguity and across a complex, international business. Qualifications: CTA (Chartered Tax Adviser) qualified, or equivalent advanced tax qualification. ACA, ACCA or CA qualified (highly desirable in addition to CTA). Degree or equivalent professional qualification in Accounting, Tax, Finance or related discipline. Competitive salary Please note: this is a Direct Search led by Knight Frank. Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs, even if provided by PSL agencies.