Head of Direct & Indirect Taxation

Department: Finance / Taxation

Reports To: CFO / VP Finance

Location: Delhi

Employment Type: Full-time

Role Summary:

The Head of Direct and Indirect Taxation will lead the organization's overall tax strategy, compliance, and risk management across direct taxes (Income Tax, Transfer Pricing, TDS) and indirect taxes (GST, Customs, erstwhile VAT/Service Tax matters). The role is responsible for ensuring full statutory compliance, optimizing the tax position, managing litigation, and advising leadership on the tax implications of business decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

Direct Tax:

- Oversee corporate income tax computation, advance tax, and annual return filings.

- Manage Transfer Pricing documentation, benchmarking studies, and TP audits.

- Handle TDS/TCS compliance, reconciliations, and reporting.

- Manage tax assessments, appeals, and litigation before tax authorities, CIT(A), ITAT, and higher forums.

- Monitor changes in direct tax law (Income Tax Act, Finance Act) and assess business impact.

Indirect Tax:

- Ensure GST compliance including returns (GSTR-1, 3B, 9/9C), reconciliations (GSTR-2A/2B), and e-invoicing.

- Manage input tax credit optimization and reconciliation.

- Oversee customs duty matters, including import/export compliance, FTA benefits, and SEZ/EOU compliance if applicable.

- Handle indirect tax audits, assessments, and litigation (GST authorities, CESTAT, etc.).

- Advise on classification, valuation, and place-of-supply issues.

Strategic & Advisory:

- Develop and implement tax-efficient structures for business transactions, new markets, and M&A.

- Partner with business teams on contract structuring, pricing, and new product/service launches from a tax lens.

- Liaise with external consultants, auditors (statutory/tax), and legal counsel.

- Manage relationships with tax authorities and represent the company in assessments/hearings.

- Drive automation and process improvement in tax compliance and reporting.

- Ensure robust internal controls and SOPs for tax processes; support SOX/internal audit requirements.

- Monitor and report tax risk exposure and contingent liabilities to leadership/board.

- Support statutory audit, tax audit (Form 3CD), and financial statement tax disclosures (current/deferred tax, effective tax rate).

Team Leadership:

- Build, mentor, and manage the direct and indirect tax team.

- Set team goals, review performance, and build technical capability.

- Coordinate with Big 4/consulting firms for specialized advisory and litigation support.

Key Requirements:

Qualifications:

- Chartered Accountant (CA) mandatory; additional qualification in Law (LLB) or CS is a plus.

- 12-18+ years of progressive experience in taxation, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

- Experience in a mid-to-large corporate, Big 4, or industry tax leadership role preferred.

Skills & Competencies:

- Deep technical expertise in Income Tax, Transfer Pricing, and GST/Customs law.

- Strong experience handling litigation and representing before tax authorities/tribunals.

- Sound understanding of accounting standards (Ind AS) as they relate to tax.

- Excellent stakeholder management with CFO, business heads, auditors, and external counsel.

- Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.

- Experience with ERP systems (SAP/Oracle) and tax technology tools is an advantage.

- Ability to work under regulatory deadlines and manage a lean team efficiently.

Key Performance Indicators:

- Zero/minimal non-compliance penalties or interest.

- Effective tax rate optimization within legal framework.

- Timely closure of assessments/litigation with favourable outcomes.

- Reduction in tax risk exposure and contingent liabilities.

- Process automation and turnaround time improvement in compliance.