Head of Tax - EBKL at Equity Bank Kenya

Head of Tax - EBKL at Equity Bank Kenya | Iko Kazi

The Role

The Group Tax, Regulatory & Sustainability Function is responsible for the design, implementation and oversight of tax strategies, policies, and the tax governance framework across the Group. The function supports the Group's operations across Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, as well as representative offices in Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates, and any additional jurisdictions in which the Group may operate.
The Head of Tax - EBKL is the strategic owner and steward of EBKL's tax governance, tax risk appetite, and regulatory posture. Reporting to the Head of Finance - EBKL, with functional reporting to the Group Chief Tax, Regulatory & Sustainability Officer, the role leads the execution of the Group tax strategy within EBKL and serves as the principal interface on tax matters with senior management, regulators, auditors, and external stakeholders.

Role Purpose

The role ensures that EBKL's tax outcomes are commercially aligned, legally compliant, reputationally sound and defensible to regulators, auditors, and shareholders, while enabling sustainable value creation for EBKL and the wider Group.

Key Responsibilities

Tax strategy and policy.
Transaction and business advisory.
Tax compliance and reporting.
Tax risk management and controls.
Anticipate, interpret, and communicate tax law, policy and regulatory developments, assess their impact on EBKL and coordinate implementation responses.
Stakeholder management.
Lead, coach, and develop the EBKL tax team, promote succession planning, and strengthen technical and leadership capability within the function.

Key Decisions and Accountability

Approve EBKL tax positions on material transactions and restructurings within delegated authority.
Set and enforce EBKL tax risk and escalation thresholds in consultation with the Head of Finance - EBKL and the Group Chief Tax, Regulatory & Sustainability Officer.
Determine dispute resolution, settlement, and litigation strategies within approved financial and risk thresholds.
Oversee external tax advisors on material EBKL matters and ensure value, quality, and accountability.
Escalate matters that exceed delegated authority through the established governance structures

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor's degree in law, business, finance, accounting, or a related discipline.
Professional qualification such as CPA, ACCA, or an equivalent recognised professional credential.
Minimum of 10 years' post-qualification experience in taxation, including at least 5 years in a management or senior management role within a financial institution, listed group, or top-tier professional advisory firm.
Demonstrated experience leading complex tax audits, disputes, litigation and engagements with revenue authorities and regulators.
Strong understanding of domestic, regional, and international tax issues relevant to Kenya and the financial-services sector.
Proven ability to apply tax knowledge to commercial decisions, business strategy, transactions, and operational delivery.
Demonstrated judgement in assessing and managing acceptable levels of tax risk.

Added Advantage

Advanced or specialist tax certification in areas such as international taxation, transfer pricing, tax dispute resolution, or an equivalent tax discipline.

Technical and Leadership Competencies

Deep technical expertise across direct and indirect taxes, including tax accounting, reporting, and disclosure requirements.
Strong commercial judgement, analytical capability, and risk-based decision-making.
Proven ability to operate credibly at senior management, Board, regulator, and revenue-authority interfaces.
Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, written communication, and presentation skills.
Effective project leadership and implementation capability, including delivery through cross-functional teams and third parties.
Ability to embed strong governance, compliance, ethics, and accountability.
Inclusive people leadership, coaching and collaboration across diverse cultures and professional disciplines.

Stand out to recruiters