Head, Tax

Job Description

HEAD, TAX

About the Role

The Head of Tax is responsible for leading the Group’s overall tax strategy, governance, and compliance across the investment holding company and its portfolio entities. This role ensures effective tax planning, risk management, and compliance with Malaysian tax laws while supporting business growth, investments, restructuring activities, and capital optimisation.

The role acts as the Group’s key authority on tax matters, working closely with senior leadership, external advisors, regulators, and portfolio management teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Tax Strategy & Advisory

• Develop and implement a Group tax strategy aligned with the company’s investment, growth, and capital structure objectives.

• Provide strategic tax advisory on acquisitions, disposals, restructurings, joint ventures, and new investments (local and cross-border).

• Assess tax implications of financing structures, dividends, capital returns, and exit strategies.

• Identify tax optimisation opportunities while ensuring full regulatory compliance.

2. Tax Governance & Risk Management

• Establish and maintain robust tax governance frameworks, policies, and controls across the Group.

• Proactively manage tax risks, including transfer pricing, withholding tax, SST/GST (where applicable), capital gains tax, and stamp duty.

• Oversee tax risk assessments and ensure appropriate mitigation plans are in place.

• Act as the key escalation point for significant or contentious tax matters.

3. Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure timely and accurate filing of all corporate tax, withholding tax, SST, and other statutory tax submissions for the holding company and portfolio entities.

• Oversee tax provisions, deferred tax, and disclosures in accordance with MFRS/IFRS.

• Review tax computations, returns, and supporting schedules prepared by internal teams or external advisors.

• Ensure compliance with Bursa Malaysia, LHDN, and other relevant regulatory requirements (where applicable).

4. Transfer Pricing & International Tax

• Oversee transfer pricing policies, documentation, and compliance in line with Malaysian regulations and OECD guidelines.

• Manage cross-border tax matters, including double tax treaties, permanent establishment risks, and foreign tax credits.

• Coordinate with international advisors on overseas investments and structures.

5. Audit, Investigations & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and manage tax audits, investigations, and queries from LHDN and other authorities.

• Act as the primary liaison with external tax advisors, auditors, and regulators.

• Build strong working relationships with portfolio company finance teams to ensure consistency and compliance across the Group.

6. Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Group tax team (where applicable).

• Set clear standards, processes, and KPIs for tax management across the organisation.

• Drive continuous improvement in tax processes, systems, and documentation.

Requirements

Professional & Technical

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Law, or related field; professional qualifications (e.g. ACCA, CPA, CTA, MICPA) preferred.

• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive tax experience, with significant exposure to group tax, investment structures, and holding companies.

• Strong knowledge of Malaysian tax laws, including corporate tax, withholding tax, transfer pricing, SST, stamp duty, and capital gains tax.

• Experience in M&A, restructuring, and cross-border transactions is highly desirable.

Experience

• Prior experience in a large group, investment holding company, private equity, or Big 4 tax advisory environment.

• Proven track record managing tax audits and engaging with LHDN.

• Experience working with senior stakeholders and board-level committees.

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