Senior Manager, Tax, Asia

107150 | Finance & Accounting | Professional | Allianz Executive | Allianz Singapore | Full-Time | Permanent

Entity: Allianz SE Singapore Branch

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Job Purpose

This role serves as the senior tax subject matter expert for the insurance business of Allianz in Singapore, acting as the primary point of contact for all tax-related matters. The scope of the role extends across (i) tax advisory and tax strategy, (ii) tax reporting and compliance oversight and (iii) tax risk management and tax controls/ process improvements. The role requires extensive cross-functional collaboration with Finance (onshore and offshore), Actuarial, and Investment teams, as well as regular engagement with Group Tax, regional stakeholders, and external advisors. As part of the Allianz Asia Pacific (AZAP) Tax Team, you will operate within a unified tax function that oversees tax-related matters across all Allianz Operating Entities (OEs) in Singapore and the broader Asia Pacific region.

Future Challenges

You must be equipped to navigate the evolving tax landscape in Singapore and its impact on insurance business. These include the evolving transfer pricing requirements and related tax controversy as well as the future implementation of e-invoicing. You must proactively manage tax risks across a multi-entity environment while balancing commercial objectives and ensuring full compliance with both local and Group requirements.

What you do

Tax advisory and tax strategy

• Develop and execute tax-efficient strategies for the Singapore insurance business, encompassing product taxation, investment tax, and special projects such as reinsurance, restructuring, transformation, distribution arrangements and e-invoicing implementation.
• Advise on international tax matters, including the application of tax treaties, withholding tax obligations, transfer pricing requirements and Pillar 2 implications.
• Review and negotiate tax-related clauses in contracts and collaborate with relevant stakeholders on the related implications. 
• Monitor and analyse domestic and international tax developments impacting the insurance sector, including amendments to the Singapore Income Tax Act, insurance-specific tax concessions, transfer pricing, GST regulatory changes and e-invoicing requirements. 
• Represent Allianz at relevant industry bodies and tax forums. 
• Advise senior management on day-to-day tax queries and strategic decision-making across all Singapore insurance operations.

Tax reporting and compliance oversight

• Oversee all tax compliance obligations for the insurance business of Allianz in Singapore and relevant investment jurisdictions, encompassing Corporate Income Tax (CIT), GST, Withholding Tax (WHT), Pillar 2 and Transfer Pricing documentation.
• Ensure the quality and accuracy of tax computations, returns, and statutory filings, overseeing their preparation and review.
• Lead quarterly and annual tax reporting (Group and Local), including effective tax rate analysis, deferred tax calculations, and tax provision reviews.
• Coordinate with external tax agents, auditors, and advisors to ensure the accurate and timely submission of all tax filings and compliance deliverables.

Tax risk management

• Identify and assess uncertain tax positions, lead the review and management of tax audits and controversies, including engagement with tax authorities and regulators.
• Drive tax risk management for the insurance business in Singapore, partnering with key non-tax stakeholders (including Head of Finance and CFO) and tax stakeholders to ensure risks are proactively identified, communicated, and managed.
• Ensure robust internal controls over tax processes and governance, fostering a culture of continuous improvement across all tax operations.
• Implement and maintain the tax governance framework in alignment with Group Taxation policies and local regulatory requirements. 

Teaming and collaboration

• Build and maintain strong relationships with OEs and Tax colleagues across the Asia Pacific region and Germany, fostering an effective and connected network.
• Actively collaborate within the team, sharing knowledge, insights, and best practices to support a culture of continuous learning and professional growth. 
• Contribute to Group and Regional initiatives as part of the AZAP Tax Team mandate

AI/Process Automation Solutions

• Develop actionable AI/Process automation solutions to enhance efficiency and delivery of the above tasks.
• Identify opportunities to leverage technology and data analytics to streamline tax reporting, compliance workflows, and risk monitoring. 

What you bring

Required Experience:

• Minimum 12 years experience in tax, including 4 years experience in a senior-level position.
• Qualified tax adviser (e.g., SCTP, ADIT, CTA, or equivalent)
• Significant experience in the insurance or financial services sector, with a strong preference for insurance experience.
• Experience working in or advising multinational organisations with cross-border tax considerations.
• Experience managing tax audits, disputes, and interactions with IRAS.
• Experience with tax technology tools and digital tax transformation initiatives.

Technical Skills:

• Deep expertise in Singapore corporate income tax, GST, and withholding tax regulations.
• Strong knowledge of insurance taxation, in particular insurance tax matters 
• Knowledge of MAS reporting and regulatory requirements, including familiarity with MAS statutory returns, RBC reporting, and the interplay between MAS regulatory reporting and tax provisions for insurance entities.
• Proficiency in IFRS tax accounting and Singapore Financial Reporting Standards.

General Skills:

• Collaboration: Need to be an effective team player with a collaborative mindset. Ability to collaborate with onshore and offshore teams. 
• Solution oriented behaviour for complex tasks/ processes combined with hands-on mentality. 
• Drive and Initiave: Self-motivated, demonstrating initiative and a pro-active approach. 
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organise, motivate, and control resources to achieve specific goals in a temporary endeavour.
• Negotiation, Communication & Presentation: Ability to express ideas and messages clearly, both written and verbally.  Ability to "sell" an improvised or prepared audience winning story.
• Change Management: Ability to drive process improvements and transition teams to new ways of working, including process automation and use of AI. 
• Strategic Planning: Ability to develop, implement and communicate strategies to address important trends or changes in the business.
• Analytical Problem Solving: Ability to analyse highly complex data, from multiple sources, in detail; identify and resolve issues before they transpire.
• Strong understanding of financials, cost management and macro-economic trends impacting insurance business and financial services industry.