The Role

Location: Hamburg (Hybrid)
Job Grade: GG5

Join Imperial Brands as our new Head of Tax DACH & Eastern Europe and play a critical role in shaping the future of tax strategy within a global FTSE 100 business. Working as part of the Tax Centre of Expertise (CoE) within our wider Finance CoE, you’ll act as a senior advisor and escalation point for our Tax and Stats Centre of Capability (CoC) and local market Finance Business Partners. This is a high-impact leadership role where your expertise will guide the development of tax frameworks, policies, and risk management strategies. You’ll be at the forefront of complex tax matters, including M&A, financing, and restructuring, collaborating closely with Transfer Pricing and Group Reporting teams.

An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees, Imperial Brands is on a bold journey of transformation — and tax is a key enabler of that change. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape and grow the capabilities of our CoE, providing expert guidance, coaching, and governance across all areas of international tax. If you're a strategic thinker with deep technical knowledge and a passion for driving excellence through collaboration and innovation, we invite you to bring your leadership to a business that’s agile, ambitious, and ready for what’s next.

Principle Accountabilities

• Lead Regional entity Tax Strategy & Compliance – Own and oversee all tax matters across our entities, including corporate income tax, VAT, and real estate taxes, ensuring full compliance with legal requirements and alignment with our Tax Centre of Expertise (CoE) standards.
• Shape the Future of Tax Planning – Drive strategic tax planning at the country level, influencing commercial flows, vendor contracts, and corporate initiatives with a forward-thinking, value-adding approach.
• Be a Trusted Advisor – Act as a key advisor to the Tax and Stats Centre of Capability (CoC), monitoring regional tax legislation, assessing business impact, and guiding leadership with practical, risk-aware solutions.
• Support High-Impact Projects – Play a central role in regional-related M&A activity, from due diligence to integration, while also contributing to global transformation initiatives with expert tax insight.
• Champion Collaboration & Capability – Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering strong partnerships with the CoC and Finance Business Partners, and delivering impactful training to elevate tax understanding across the business.
• Manage Risk & Reputation – Take ownership of regional tax audits and controversy, ensuring efficient resolution and strategic engagement with tax authorities, while maintaining robust governance and external advisor relationships.

Skills and Experience Required

• Proven Tax Expertise; You’ll bring extensive experience in local and international tax, gained in a multinational in-house environment or a Big Four advisory firm, with a strong grasp of complex financing structures and M&A activity.
• Strategic & Analytical Mindset; You combine deep technical knowledge with a sharp eye for process improvement, data flow optimisation, and financial analysis — all underpinned by a solid understanding of accounting principles.
• Collaborative Leadership; You’ve led cross-functional, international teams and thrive in a matrixed environment, building trusted relationships across the business and with external advisors to deliver results. Fluency in English is required to communicate with multinational teams and stakeholders.
• Digitally Fluent; You’re confident navigating systems like SAP and CFIN, with advanced Excel skills and familiarity with tools like Alteryx. Your tech-savvy approach supports smarter, faster decision-making.
• Naturally Curious & Adaptable; You’re always learning, always improving. You embrace change, bring a continuous improvement mindset, and stay ahead of evolving tax landscapes and business needs.
• Qualified & Globally Minded; You hold a degree in Accounting, Economics or Law, are a certified tax advisor, and bring a global perspective to a global business

Everyone Belongs

Everyone belongs in Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation, religions or beliefs and of neuro divergence. We give fair and equal consideration to all our applicants. Please contact us at recruitment@impbrands.com to let us know if we can provide support in helping you complete an application and/or attend an interview.

 

For further information about the role please contact your Talent Acquisition Partner FIRSTNAME.SURNAME @impbrands.com