About BW ESS
BW ESS is a global energy storage owner-operator, rapidly advancing to develop and construct market-leading energy storage projects across multiple countries. In collaboration with local development partners, BW ESS operates in the UK, Australia, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Sweden. The company boasts over 500MWh of operational Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects, with an additional 3.3GWh currently under construction and a robust development pipeline of about 9.5GWh.
With a long-term asset-holding strategy, BW ESS adopts a hands-on approach to unlock value throughout the lifecycle of energy storage assets. As part of BW Group, the company draws on a global industry network alongside decades of expertise in energy infrastructure investment, delivery, and operations.
To find out more, visit: bw-ess.com
Company Culture
BW ESS fosters a dynamic work environment grounded in 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 individual will be responsible for setting and executing the company’s tax strategy, ensuring compliance across various jurisdictions, and acting 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 in regular interactions with BW Group’s in-house tax team.
Project & Commercial Tax Advisory
- Provide tax leadership on project structuring, including Special Purpose Vehicles (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 corporate 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 intellectual property.
- Support the development 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. Must have prior experience in the Big 4 or similar legal/consulting firms.
- Experience in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
- Demonstrated expertise with multi-jurisdictional tax frameworks and project-based businesses.
Application Process
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.