Tax Management Sr. Advisor

Role Overview

Tax Management Sr. Advisor at Cigna, serving Cigna Healthcare's Middle East and Africa operations.

Company Overview

Cigna Healthcare, a division of The Cigna Group, is an advocate for better health through every stage of life. The organization guides customers through the health care system, empowering them with information and insight to make the best choices for improving health and vitality.

Role Purpose

Lead the tax agenda across Cigna Healthcare's Middle East and Africa operations, ensuring compliance with evolving tax regulations while supporting business growth through effective tax planning, governance, and risk management. Serve as the region's tax subject matter expert and trusted advisor to Finance and business leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Tax Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Manage current and deferred tax reporting in accordance with IFRS requirements.
• Support quarterly and annual financial reporting processes, including tax provisions, disclosures, and tax-related audit requirements.
• Partner with Accounting and FP&A teams to ensure accurate reporting and forecasting of tax impacts.

Transfer Pricing & International Tax

• Lead transfer pricing governance, documentation, and compliance across the region.
• Ensure adherence to OECD and local regulatory requirements.
• Maintain intercompany agreements and advise on cross-border transactions.
• Coordinate with Global Tax teams on international tax matters and strategic initiatives.

Business Partnership & Strategic Advisory

• Partner with Commercial, Finance, Legal, Compliance, Procurement, and Operations teams to provide practical tax advice on business initiatives, client arrangements, new products, and strategic projects.
• Evaluate tax implications of commercial decisions.
• Support expansion, restructuring, and transformation activities across the region.

Risk Management & Internal Controls

• Establish and maintain a robust tax governance framework.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate tax risks.
• Support compliance with SOX, ICFR, and internal control requirements.
• Support internal and external audits, regulatory reviews, and remediation of tax-related findings.

External Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships with tax authorities, external auditors, and tax advisors across the region.
• Coordinate responses to inquiries, audits, and assessments.
• Ensure consistent and defensible tax positions.
• Represent the organization on tax matters with external stakeholders where appropriate.

Process Improvement & Tax Transformation

• Drive continuous improvement and automation of tax processes.
• Support Finance Transformation initiatives including Oracle, e-Invoicing, and other digital tax projects.
• Enhance tax reporting capabilities, data quality, and operational efficiency across the region.

Global Reporting & Communications

• Liaison with the global tax team to record US GAAP tax expense.
• Provide projections of tax expense and payments for management reporting.
• Communicate any tax controversy or risks.
• Provide required information for global reporting.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Taxation, Economics, or a related field.
• Professional qualification such as CPA, CA, ACCA, CTA, ADIT, or equivalent preferred.
• 7–10+ years of progressive tax experience within multinational organizations, professional services firms, or regulated industries.
• Experience managing tax matters across multiple jurisdictions within the GCC and/or Africa.
• Experience in MEA healthcare, insurance, financial services, or other regulated industries preferred.
• Experience supporting UAE Corporate Tax implementation and broader GCC tax compliance preferred.
• Experience managing relationships with tax authorities, auditors, and external advisors preferred.
• Experience operating across Middle East and Africa markets preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong technical expertise in corporate income tax, indirect tax, transfer pricing, tax accounting, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong knowledge of transfer pricing regulations and OECD guidelines preferred.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders, manage complex projects, and provide business-oriented solutions in a matrix organization.
• Fluency in English required.
• Arabic is a plus.
• Familiarity with Oracle, tax technology solutions, and finance transformation initiatives preferred.

Additional Information

• Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.
• For reasonable accommodation in completing the online application process, email SeeYourselfEMEA@cigna.com for support.