Head of Tax, Wealth Management

Handelsbanken | Tunbridge Wells

Join a bank built on trust, long-term relationships, and local decision-making.

At Handelsbanken, we are proud to be a relationship bank where decisions are made close to the customer. Our decentralised approach allows our branches to respond with agility and insight, while our central functions provide the specialist expertise, governance, and infrastructure that support sustainable success.

Recognised independently as one of Europe’s safest commercial banks, Handelsbanken is known for its strong credit standing, enduring customer relationships, and consistently high customer satisfaction. Our culture is grounded in trust, respect, professionalism, and long-term thinking — creating an environment where people are empowered to make meaningful decisions and build rewarding careers.

We are now seeking an experienced Head of Tax to join our Wealth Management team in Tunbridge Wells.

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About the Opportunity

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for shaping and leading the tax offering within Wealth Management. You will oversee a team of tax specialists, ensure high-quality tax advisory and compliance services for Wealth clients, and play a key role in driving commercial performance, governance, and service excellence.

Working closely with Client Directors and senior stakeholders across the Bank, you will help deliver an outstanding client experience while ensuring all services align with regulatory obligations and the Bank’s approach to risk and tax planning.

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What You’ll Be Responsible For

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead and manage a team of tax specialists delivering compliance and advisory services to Wealth customers

• Mentor, coach, and develop team members, supporting individual action plans aligned to the Bank’s wider goals

• Help address team capacity requirements and contribute to succession planning

• Foster a strong team culture that reflects Handelsbanken’s values and keeps the customer at the centre of decision-making

Tax Advisory and Client Delivery

• Provide tax advice and oversee tax compliance for a portfolio of high-value clients

• Manage the advisory and compliance requirements of complex High Net Worth personal and trust clients

• Work alongside Client Directors, or independently where appropriate, to support client relationships effectively

• Take personal responsibility for the completion of tax returns for specifically allocated clients

Operational Oversight and Governance

• Establish and maintain robust processes to ensure services are delivered in line with:

• Regulatory requirements

• Internal governance procedures

• Risk management standards

• Minimise technical errors and associated liabilities through strong controls and oversight

• Support the integration and embedding of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax processes and filing requirements

• Assist with the review and completion of the wider tax portfolio of approximately 600 returns, including:

• Individual tax returns

• Trustee tax returns

• Partnership tax returns

Commercial and Strategic Contribution

• Provide commercial direction for the tax team and its services, balancing revenue generation with risk management

• Monitor service pricing and approve exceptions to standard pricing where appropriate

• Contribute as a member of the Leadership Team, supporting the continued development and delivery of tax services

• Ensure internal stakeholders and external clients have a clear understanding of the team’s services and value

• Identify and help qualify opportunities to broaden tax support within client relationships

Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain close communication with the Chief Tax Officer of Handelsbanken plc

• Ensure that tax advice provided remains aligned with the Bank’s values, standards, and tolerance for tax planning

• Review customer tax planning and structuring activity to ensure branch engagement remains within acceptable parameters

• Build strong relationships across the branch network and work with Client Directors to increase awareness of the Wealth tax offering

• Raise the profile of the tax team internally and demonstrate how it can add value to existing client relationships

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What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a highly credible tax professional with deep private client expertise, strong leadership capability, and the confidence to influence at senior levels.

Essential Experience and Qualifications

• CTA, ATT, or equivalent professional qualification

• Minimum of 10 years’ post-qualification experience in private client tax

• Strong understanding of:

• The tax treatment of investment products

• Tax structuring

• Complex private client and trust matters

• Experience of managing people and working collaboratively within a team environment

Key Skills and Attributes

• Ability to lead, inspire, and develop high-performing teams

• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance service quality, revenue, and risk

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships at all levels

• Confidence to advise, guide, and influence senior leadership decision-making

• Strong professional judgement and a commitment to maintaining high technical and ethical standards

• Ability to represent the Bank with credibility, professionalism, and integrity

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Why Join Handelsbanken

At Handelsbanken, we want every colleague to feel supported, motivated, and equipped to do their best work.

In addition to working alongside talented colleagues on meaningful work, you will benefit from:

• Training and development opportunities

• A supportive and values-led working culture

• The opportunity to make a genuine impact within the Bank and the communities we serve

• A flexible benefits package, designed with wellbeing in mind

We are committed to creating long-term careers and giving our people the trust and autonomy to apply their expertise where it matters most.

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Our Culture

Our success has been built over decades on a simple but powerful philosophy: long-term thinking, customer focus, and trust in our people.

We are looking for individuals who share that mindset — people who want to grow, contribute meaningfully, and be part of a business that values sustainable relationships over short-term gains.

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Application Process

Once you submit your application, one of our Talent Acquisition Partners will review your details. If your background and experience align with our requirements, we will arrange an initial phone conversation, followed by an interview invitation.

This advert will remain live for a minimum of two weeks. After that point, the closing date may change depending on application volumes, so early application is encouraged.

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Inclusion and Diversity

We welcome applications from everyone.

Handelsbanken is deeply committed to embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion into all of our activities. We strive to be an inclusive, welcoming, and inspiring place to work, and we encourage applications from all individuals regardless of:

• Socio-economic background

• Age

• Disability

• Pregnancy and/or parental status

• Race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin

• Veteran status

• Marital or civil partnership status

• Religion or belief

• Sex

• Gender reassignment

• Sexual orientation

Research shows that some candidates — particularly women — are more likely to hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement. If this role excites you, but you are unsure whether you tick every box, we encourage you to apply anyway.

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Learn More

For further information about Handelsbanken, please visit the Handelsbanken website.