Port Elizabeth: Tax Department Manager

About the Role

The Tax Department Manager will provide expert technical leadership across all major tax types, ensuring accurate and timely delivery of high-quality tax services to clients. This role requires a strong technical tax competence, excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage complexity and competing deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical oversight across all major tax types, including Income Tax (Individuals, Companies, Trusts), Provisional Tax, VAT, PAYE, and related payroll taxes.
• Review and sign off on complex tax computations, returns, and submissions.
• Interpret and apply current tax legislation, case law, and SARS practice notes.
• Provide guidance on complex tax structures, transactions, and compliance matters.
• Ensure tax advice and submissions are technically sound, defensible, and well-documented.
• Manage and oversee all complex SARS interactions, including Audits and verifications, Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Reasons (RFRs), Objections and appeals, and Voluntary Disclosure Programme (VDP) matters.
• Draft, review, and approve detailed technical responses to SARS.
• Act as the escalation point for high-risk or contentious SARS matters.
• Monitor and meet deadlines, and proactively manage risks.
• Lead, manage, and develop the tax team, including Tax administrators, consultants, and senior tax staff.
• Allocate work appropriately based on complexity, capacity, and competence.
• Conduct performance management, coaching, mentoring, and skills development.
• Identify training needs and ensure ongoing technical and professional development.
• Foster a high-performance, accountable, and collaborative team culture.
• Act as a senior tax contact for key clients, communicating complex tax matters clearly and practically.
• Support client retention and growth through high-quality service and trusted advice.
• Identify opportunities for tax planning, advisory, and additional services.
• Ensure a consistent, professional client experience across the tax department.

Requirements

• Relevant Tax Degree / Postgraduate Tax Qualification
• Minimum 8 years relevant tax experience, with exposure to complex tax matters
• Proven experience managing and leading a team
• Strong experience dealing directly with SARS audits, disputes, and technical queries

Qualifications

• Professional registration (e.g. SAIT, SAICA, SAIPA) is an advantage.

Salary & Benefits

Salary details are not specified in the original job description.