As Tax Specialist, you will be the central link between tax, IT, and business during the implementation of our new core banking system – and beyond. You will ensure that tax logic (withholding tax, reporting, regulatory requirements) is correctly built, tested, and maintained in the system, and you will act as the go-to tax expert for our Relationship Managers and their clients. This is a role for someone who wants to combine deep tax expertise with hands-on system and process ownership, rather than purely advisory work.
What would your role be?
Project Phase – System Implementation
Define and validate tax requirements for the new core banking system (e.g. withholding tax, QI/FATCA, CRS/AIA, stamp duty, depending on jurisdiction)
Translate regulatory and tax requirements into functional specifications together with IT and project teams
Design, execute, and document test cases; support user acceptance testing and sign-off
Act as tax subject-matter expert throughout the project, ensuring tax logic is correctly reflected in system configuration
Ongoing System Ownership
Maintain and continuously improve tax parameters and processes within the core banking system
Analyze complex tax transactions and regulatory requirements, and translate changes in tax law into system and process adjustments
Own the quality of the reporting database: testing, quality assurance, identification and resolution of data discrepancies
Drive digitalization and optimization of existing tax-related processes
Prepare and maintain functional documentation, work instructions, and process descriptions
Day-to-Day Advisory
Serve as first point of contact for tax questions from Relationship Managers and, where relevant, their clients
Provide guidance on withholding tax, double taxation treaties, residency, and reporting obligations
Train and onboard new colleagues on tax topics and system processes
Work closely with internal stakeholders (Tax, Compliance, IT), and where applicable international custodians/counterparties
What are we looking for?
Degree in business, finance, law, or a comparable field, ideally with a tax-focused specialization or further qualification (e.g. Steuerfachwirt, Steuerberater).
Several years of relevant experience in bank taxation, ideally including withholding tax processes (e.g. US and/or European markets) and QI/FATCA, CRS/AIA.
Experience in a comparable role — such as tax operations, tax reporting, or a similar function at a custodian bank or financial institution — is a strong plus.
Proven ability to analyze complex tax and regulatory topics and translate them into system requirements and process changes.
Experience with core banking systems (e.g. Avaloq, Finnova, Temenos, Olympic) or willingness to build this expertise.
Affinity for process optimization and digitalization; experience maintaining or testing reporting databases is an advantage.
Strong communication skills and ability to explain tax topics clearly to non-tax colleagues (Relationship Managers) and clients.
Fluent in German and English.
Affinity for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a willingness to embrace AI-enabled tools and ways of working.
What do we offer?
Top Düsseldorf location with collaboration spaces.
All the latest technology to help you excel and advance.
Agile environment in how we think, the way we work and our trust for each other.
Opportunities for further training and mentoring to foster your professional development.
Flat hierarchy with collaboration at all levels.
Collaborative spirit.
We are looking for talented people, not just a CV that ticks all the boxes. Even if you do not have absolutely everything we have asked for, if this role sounds like a good fit for you, we encourage you to apply.
Why Vontobel?
At Vontobel, you are building better futures for our clients and society, as well as for yourself. As a family-owned and publicly listed company with over 2,000 professionals based in 28 locations globally and headquartered in Zurich, we’re…