East African Breweries Limited (EABL), a premier drinks company in Eastern Africa, is inviting applications for the position of Tax Manager. This opportunity offers the successful candidate a chance to join one of the largest and most respected business units within Diageo Africa, operating in a multicultural, multinational, and multicurrency environment.
EABL is listed on all three East African stock exchanges and manages a wide portfolio of beer, spirits, malt, glass, and non-alcoholic beverage products. The company directly operates five breweries, two spirits plants, and a barley and malting facility. With operations embedded in diverse and dynamic markets, EABL is a critical player in the regional beverage sector.
This role falls within the Finance function, a department that drives sustainable growth for the business, customers, and brands. The Finance team plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the company, enhancing business performance, and creating investment capacity for future expansion. The position of Tax Manager offers the chance to apply technical expertise in taxation while contributing directly to EABL’s operational and strategic success.
About the Function
The Finance department at EABL is a central driver of the company’s growth and performance. Working in a high-performing $12.2 billion gross profit organisation, the Finance team leverages digital capabilities, analytics, and operational insights to inform strategic decisions. The department provides business-critical support, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and agility in the dynamic East African market.
In this environment, no two days are the same. Whether the task is executing risk mitigation strategies, enhancing compliance processes, or optimising financial outcomes, the Finance team delivers measurable impact across the organisation. For a candidate looking to apply advanced tax expertise in a high-growth, innovation-driven environment, this is a unique and rewarding opportunity.
About the Role
The Tax Manager will report directly to the EABL Group Head of Tax. The role’s primary purpose is to:
- Partner with the business in Kenya to execute tax strategies, policies, and governance frameworks in alignment with Diageo’s global tax standards.
- Proactively engage stakeholders with a commercial mindset to identify opportunities, mitigate tax risks, and support the broader business strategy.
- Drive compliance in all areas of tax, ensuring accurate and timely reporting to both internal and external stakeholders.
- Provide technical expertise in international taxation, including transfer pricing, Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) considerations, and withholding tax matters.
The position requires a deep understanding of Kenyan tax legislation and the ability to interpret international tax principles within a multinational group structure. The Tax Manager will be a key liaison between the business, global tax teams, tax authorities, and other external partners.
Key Responsibilities
1. Managing Risks and Local Authorities
- Maintain a comprehensive understanding of tax authority systems, processes, and expectations, drawing on wide experience in tax audit management.
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with local tax authorities to ensure successful outcomes in any audit or settlement discussions.
- Engage with business stakeholders to provide leadership in tax matters and influence decision-making to achieve compliant and commercially sound tax outcomes.
- Oversee the accurate preparation and submission of tax returns, ensuring minimised exposure to audit risks and penalties.
- Proactively identify tax risks through monitoring internal and external data, using predictive indicators, and implementing mitigation plans where required.
- Lead the development of a strategic tax agenda for East Africa, combining technical taxation knowledge with commercial insight.
2. Strategic Leadership in Tax Agenda Delivery
- Understand the interplay between local tax laws, accounting legislation, and Diageo’s group tax structures.
- Promote compliance with Diageo’s tax policies, covering direct taxes, indirect taxes (VAT, customs, excise duties), transfer pricing, corporate tax, and intercompany accounting.
- Assess and advise on the tax feasibility of business transactions, balancing compliance requirements with commercial objectives.
- Collaborate with HR and the Employment Tax Team to manage payroll taxation matters and address compliance challenges.
- Ensure adherence to tax compliance processes and systems, fostering strong relationships with outsourced tax service providers, Global Tax teams, and Centres of Excellence.
- Partner with Global Tax to find solutions optimised for both local and group-level needs.
- Coordinate the preparation of annual transfer pricing documentation, ensuring consistency with global policies and meeting compliance deadlines.
3. Effective Stakeholder Management
- Deliver accurate, timely, and relevant tax-related information to internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of the operations and commercial drivers of EABL’s local entities.
- Support commercial objectives by offering effective, compliant tax solutions.
- Identify opportunities to reduce cash tax payments and tax-related costs in the profit and loss account.
- Actively participate in implementing global tax initiatives and embedding streamlined reporting processes.
Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience Required
Education and Professional Qualifications
- University or college degree in finance, business, or law.
- Strong grounding in financial and management accounting and reporting processes.
- In-depth knowledge of Kenyan tax legislation.
Work Experience
- At least 4 years’ corporate tax experience in industry and/or public accounting.
- Accounting background with strong analytical abilities.
- Professional accountancy qualification.
- Experience in internal or external audit, and/or compliance with Sarbanes–Oxley (SOX) requirements.
- Proven skills in risk assessment, compliance management, and tax reporting.
- Experience working with shared service processes.
- Strong business understanding and stakeholder engagement abilities.
- Demonstrated capability in reviewing and interpreting financial data for tax purposes.
Key Competencies
- Ability to work independently while also thriving in a team environment.
- Strong organisational skills with the capacity to prioritise effectively under tight deadlines.
- Proven coaching and team motivation skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust with stakeholders.
- Commitment to delivering high-quality work with accuracy and attention to detail.
Flexible Working
EABL recognises that flexibility is a key driver of employee wellbeing and performance. The company supports flexible working arrangements from day one, helping employees balance professional and personal priorities.
Diversity and Inclusion
EABL is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully. The company embraces diversity in all its forms, including gender, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and educational experiences.
EABL’s vision is to become one of the most trusted and respected consumer products companies globally, and inclusivity is central to achieving this ambition. Employees are encouraged to be their authentic selves, contributing to a workplace culture that celebrates individuality and collaboration.
Work Environment
The successful candidate will be based at the Nairobi Headquarters. The role involves close collaboration with finance teams, operational leadership, and global tax colleagues. While primarily office-based, the position may require occasional travel for meetings with tax authorities, training, or group-level coordination.
Application Process
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline of August 20, 2025. All applications should be submitted through the official EABL careers portal by referencing the Job Requisition ID JR1116389.
