About BW ESS
BW ESS is a global energy storage owner-operator, committed to rapidly developing and constructing market-leading energy storage projects across multiple countries. Collaborating with local development partners, we have established a significant presence in the UK, Australia, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Sweden. Our portfolio includes over 500MWh of operating BESS projects, with 3.3GWh currently under construction and an impressive development pipeline of approximately 9.5GWh. As part of BW Group, BW ESS leverages a vast global industry network and possesses decades of experience in energy infrastructure investment, delivery, and operation.
To find out more, visit: bw-ess.com.
Our Culture
At BW ESS, our culture is built on a strong foundation defined by the following 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 to lead all tax matters. The role encompasses setting and executing the company’s tax strategy, ensuring compliance across jurisdictions, and providing strategic advice 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.
- Maintain regular interaction 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 through informed tax input.
Financing, M&A & Capital Markets
- Lead tax workstreams for project finance, refinancing, and portfolio-level financing.
- Advise on tax implications related to 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 impacting storage, power markets, and infrastructure taxation.
Transfer Pricing & Cross-Border Matters
- Oversee transfer pricing policies and documentation for intercompany services, financing, and intellectual property.
- Support the creation of scalable, tax-efficient operating models as the business expands.
Qualifications
- Professional tax qualification (e.g., CTA, CPA, ACA, or equivalent).
- 10–15+ years of relevant UK and international tax experience, including leadership responsibilities. Prior experience in the Big 4 or similar legal/consulting firms is essential.
- 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.
- Ability 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.
- A 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.