Global Equity Compensation Tax Lead

Description

The Global Equity Compensation team works with several internal functions and external advisors to uphold high tax and legal compliance standards in all impacted countries. Other responsibilities include designing and implementing competitive equity compensation policies, building and maintaining robust governance frameworks and internal controls, and preparing and delivering communications and training for global and senior audiences. In addition, the team partners with internal colleagues and external advisors to ensure the flawless delivery of each equity compensation event using new or existing tools, templates, procedures, and technology solutions.

Work will include, but is not limited to, identifying and establishing the tax compliance framework and operational requirements for several equity compensation workstreams, such as global mobility policy design, communication materials, and domestic and expatriate taxation matters. The incumbent may also support the wider global mobility transformation project impacting all group companies.

• Improve system functionalities and interfaces to mitigate tax compliance risk exposure.
• Create and deliver tax training and tax-related communications to equity plan participants.
• Manage emerging tax technical topics with internal and external stakeholders, including the implementation of country-specific equity plans with tax advantages if applicable.
• Prepare tax position simulations and tax cost projections for international assignees and permanent transfers according to business demands.
• Work with tax advisors, global mobility, and payroll to prepare for and deliver the RSU vesting cycle and tax return season for global movers.
• Work with tax advisors, HR Operations and payrolls globally to prepare for and deliver the annual share filings in all impacted countries, including, but not limited to, the UK share fillings, Australia annual share filings, China SAFE (including the plans registration where applicable).
• Manage tax compliance matters for domestic employees and international global movers (assignees, permanent transfers, business travelers, and project workers) across all companies of the Hitachi Group that will operate equity incentives, especially for the restricted stock units plan (RSU).
• Act as advisor and subject matter expert for equity compensation income tax, social security, and finance and accounting matters.
• Uphold strong compliance, governance, and internal control standards.
• Work with external tax advisors to identify and manage withholding tax requirement changes.
• Establish and maintain the tax position paper, identify, and maintain the correct withholding tax and social security positions for domestic employees and global movers.
• Develop and update tax policies and procedures to meet tax compliance obligations globally.
• Define the scope and timelines to deliver significant projects.
• Manage the relationship with external tax advisors and group company payrolls.
• Respond to internal and external tax audits upon request.
• Support corporation tax reviews and recharge agreements with Japan Tax and Finance.
• Correspond with the local tax authorities in various countries to clarify technical tax matters if required.
• Work with the global equity compensation manager and external tax advisors to manage the RSU grant and vesting process, including monthly leavers and the regular grant and vesting cycles.
• Oversee the payroll tax funding process with the global equity compensation manager in Japan.

Requirements

We’re looking for a team player, who is motivated by delivering great work and the Hitachi vision. This role is predominantly remote, with occasional days required to work from office.

The successful candidate will report to the head of global equity compensation in Switzerland and support the global equity compensation manager in the UK with all tax matters related to equity plans. We will consider candidates with substantial experience in equity compensation tax compliance obligations globally, including withholding tax and social security requirements, expatriate tax, knowledge of capital gains and dividends tax, and a deep understanding of tax equalization and tax protection policies. The selected candidate will join the Global Equity Compensation team, comprising six members, and be part of Hitachi’s Global Total Rewards (GTR) function that includes approximately 30 people.

• Knowledge of tax compliance and accounting under IFRS.
• Willing to work flexibly to meet tight deadlines and attend calls during flexible hours across different time zones. Travel to Japan may be required occasionally.
• Candidates must be willing to work on administrative tasks and regularly liaise with several stakeholders from different group companies to ensure the timely implementation of various equity compensation processes and control steps.
• In-house experience with equity compensation plans is preferred.
• Collaborative team player with ability to build strong working relationships, strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail, able to juggle competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Comprehensive knowledge of share plan policies and practices.
• Strong knowledge of equity compensation policies.
• Deep knowledge of the withholding tax process for domestic employees and global movers, including income sourcing, foreign tax credits, double taxation matters, and tax treatment policies.
• Previous experience in managing equity compensation tax matters globally is highly desirable.
• Candidates must have eight or more years of experience with the taxation of equity compensation plans in large and complex companies, and with a global geographical scope.
• Strong experience in working with payrolls, HR operations, and finance matters related to equity plans.
• A relevant professional qualification would be an advantage (CTA, ACA, ICAS, ACCA).

Benefits

Along with a market competitive salary and discretionary bonus scheme, employees have the option to work flexibly in line with our hybrid working model and we would be happy to discuss this with you during the hiring process.

Company Funded Benefits

Benefits Package

• Dental Insurance with option to include dependent children
• Employee Assistance Programme available to all employees
• A Holiday Banking scheme allowing you to bank untaken holiday to use another year
• Cycle To Work scheme
• Health screening
• Dining card
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Group Personal Pension
• Private Medical Insurance with self-funded option to cover family members
• Gym Membership
• Generous holiday entitlement - with the option to buy up to an additional 5 days per year

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance