Job Description

Working with us

Together, Cognita schools provide a uniquely global education that goes beyond grades, developing academic excellence alongside adaptability, agency, and the positive attitudes that prepare young people to grow, thrive, and find success in a rapidly evolving world.



Cognita Middle East has 14 schools within its portfolio, including: RGS Guildford Dubai, Repton Dubai, Repton Al Barsha and Repton Abu Dhabi, Horizon English School, Horizon International School, Ranches Primary School and Al Ain English Speaking School in the UAE, Dasman Bilingual School in Kuwait, Downe House Riyadh and King's College Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Downe House Muscat and Cheltenham Muscat in Oman, and King's College Doha in Qatar.

Job Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Regional Tax Manager to lead and oversee all tax compliance, corporate tax, and VAT activities across our Middle East operations. This role is pivotal in ensuring robust tax governance within a dynamic regulatory landscape, supporting statutory reporting, and engaging key stakeholders across the region and group level.



The successful candidate will be a technically strong tax professional with exceptional communication skills, proven experience managing multi-entity structures, and the ability to drive continuous improvement across systems, processes, and compliance frameworks.

What you'll do

Tax Filings & Governance

Lead and coordinate corporate tax registrations, groupings, filings, and transfer pricing compliance for UAE and regional entities. Oversee end-to-end VAT compliance, including registrations, return submissions, process improvements, and automation. Monitor and interpret regulatory changes across the Middle East, implementing timely updates to policies and procedures. Maintain and update Country-by-Country reporting checklists, ensuring full compliance with multinational reporting standards. Develop and implement strong internal controls and governance frameworks to mitigate tax risks.

External Audit & Reporting

Serve as the primary liaison with external tax advisors and auditors, managing tax computations, transfer pricing documentation, and audit inquiries. Ensure the accuracy and completeness of statutory financial statements in line with IFRS and internal policies. Prepare and review tax-related disclosure notes and schedules for group audit requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement

Partner with Cognita and group finance teams to ensure alignment with global tax reporting and compliance requirements. Provide technical tax guidance and training to internal teams to strengthen regional tax capability. Represent the region in group-level tax discussions, supporting decision-making and implementation. Support tax due diligence for acquisitions and new entity setups, ensuring seamless integration into existing frameworks. Work closely with legal and finance counterparts to optimize the regional tax structure, identifying efficiency opportunities and mitigating risks. Deliver regular updates, insights, and recommendations to senior stakeholders, including the Regional Finance Director.

Systems & Process Optimization

Collaborate with finance teams to ensure that systems (including NetSuite and NSPB) are fully aligned with tax governance and reporting requirements. Oversee the correct setup of new entities within financial systems, ensuring accurate tax data from inception. Lead tax automation initiatives to enhance accuracy, reduce manual processes, and improve scalability. Develop and continuously enhance finance integration workstreams for new entities, driving consistency and process excellence.

What we're looking for

Qualifications

Professional qualification: ACA, ACCA, or CIMA. Strong technical expertise in IFRS and UAE/Middle East tax regulations. Proficiency with smart ERP solutions, particularly NetSuite, NSPB, and advanced Excel skills.

Experience

10+ years of experience in financial reporting, audit, and tax compliance. Proven ability to manage multi-entity reporting and external audits in complex environments. Experience within the education sector or a large multinational organisation is preferred. Excellent communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence and elevate tax governance across a growing regional footprint. You will be a key strategic partner to senior finance leadership, driving compliance, efficiency, and innovation in a fast-paced, international environment.

Cognita is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers, and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.