About BW ESS
BW ESS is a global energy storage owner-operator, rapidly developing and building market-leading energy storage projects across various countries. Collaborating with local development partners, we operate in the UK, Australia, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Sweden. With over 500MWh of operating BESS projects and 3.3GWh currently under construction, we have an impressive development pipeline of approximately 9.5GWh. Our strategy centers on holding assets long-term, adopting a hands-on approach to unlock value throughout the energy storage asset lifecycle. As part of BW Group, BW ESS benefits from a powerful global industry network and decades of expertise in energy infrastructure investment, delivery, and operation.
To find out more, visit: bw-ess.com
Our Culture
At BW ESS, our culture and operational philosophy are grounded in a few clear principles:
- Talent density over team size
- Flexible people over fixed structures
- Context over control
- Results over processes
- Transparent and clear feedback
Location
Zurich
Reports to
CFO
Job Description
This is a full-time on-site role for a Head of Tax, responsible for leading all tax matters. The chosen candidate will set and execute the company’s tax strategy, ensuring compliance across jurisdictions, and serving as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on project development, financing, and commercial operations.
Key Responsibilities
Tax Strategy & Leadership
- Act as the primary tax advisor to the CFO and Senior Management Team, defining and leading BW ESS’s global tax strategy in alignment with business objectives and growth plans.
- Build and manage relationships with external tax advisors across operating jurisdictions.
- Engage regularly with BW Group’s in-house tax team.
Project & Commercial Tax Advisory
- Provide tax leadership on project structuring, including SPVs, joint ventures, and holding structures.
- Support investment decisions, bid processes, and commercial negotiations with tax input.
Financing, M&A & Capital Markets
- Lead tax workstreams for project finance, refinancing, and portfolio-level financing.
- Advise on tax implications of equity investments, asset acquisitions, disposals, and platform M&A.
Compliance & Risk Management
- Oversee corporate income tax, VAT/GST, withholding tax, and other relevant taxes across jurisdictions.
- Ensure timely and accurate filings, provisions, and disclosures.
- Manage tax audits, disputes, and interactions with tax authorities.
- Monitor legislative developments affecting storage, power markets, and infrastructure taxation.
Transfer Pricing & Cross-Border Matters
- Oversee transfer pricing policies and documentation for intercompany services, financing, and IP.
- Support the development of scalable, tax-efficient operating models as the business expands.
Qualifications
- Professional tax qualification (e.g., CTA, CPA, ACA, equivalent).
- 10–15+ years of relevant UK and international tax experience, including leadership responsibilities, preferably gained in the Big 4 or similar legal/consulting firms.
- Experience in Renewables/Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) is preferred.
- Demonstrated experience with multi-jurisdictional tax frameworks and project-based businesses.
- Deep understanding of project finance and Topco/Assetco structures.
- Able to operate effectively in a fast-growing, entrepreneurial environment.
- Strong communicator, capable of engaging credibly at the executive level.
- Hands-on mindset with the ability to balance strategy and execution.
- Team player motivated to make a difference in a growing organization.
How to Apply
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.