Tax Specialist

Since its creation in 2014, Harbour has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most geographically diverse independent oil and gas companies.  Today, Harbour is producing between 475,000 and 485,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day with significant production in Norway, the UK, Germany, Argentina and North Africa. Harbour benefits from competitive operating costs and resilient margins, and a broad set of growth options including near-infrastructure opportunities in Norway, unconventional scalable opportunities in Argentina and conventional offshore projects in Mexico and Indonesia. With low GHG emissions intensity and a leading CO2 storage position in Europe, Harbour remains committed to producing oil and gas safely and responsibly to help meet the world’s energy needs. Harbour is headquartered in London with approximately 5,000 staff and contractors across its operations and offices. 

Ours is an inclusive workplace where individuals can bring their whole selves to their job and feel recognised for the value they add. We are committed to creating a genuinely inclusive and supportive working environment to ensure everyone has a positive experience at work.

At Harbour Energy, we aim to recruit, retain and promote our people based on their unique skills, regardless of race, gender or background. We need excellent people to help shape and develop the future of our company. Could this be you?

If so, we want to hear from you.

Purpose of Role:

Lead and oversee the full accounting, tax, and regulatory compliance framework for oil & gas operations in Mexico, ensuring the correct application of IFRS, Mexican NIF, tax legislation, and E&P contracts. This role drives the determination, reporting, and strategic management of taxes, while directly managing reporting obligations to authorities and joint venture partners. By owning the compliance lifecycle, the position safeguards the economic viability and maximizes the value of Harbour Energy’s projects.

The role assumes full accountability for tax matters across 13 legal entities, with a primary focus on:

• Driving tax compliance, planning, and filings, ensuring complete, accurate, and timely payments in accordance with local regulations.
• Leading the preparation and submission of federal and state tax returns.
• Developing internal memoranda and defining tax positions to secure ongoing compliance with local and federal laws.

Critical Responsibilities:

• Ensuring that all activities are carried out in a safe manner complying with all regulatory requirements, legislation and Harbour Energy HSES Procedures

Ethics and Compliance Responsibilities:

• Ensure that all activities and behaviours are carried out in accordance with Harbour Energy’s Ethics and Compliance Policies and Procedures, and to complete any compulsory compliance training as required

Areas of Accountability, Responsibility and Competence:

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Own the preparation and review of accounting records under IFRS and Mexican NIF for oil & gas operations.
• Define and implement accounting treatments for exploration, evaluation, development costs, capitalization, depreciation, and ARO.
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes.
• Direct the preparation of financial information for internal and external audits.

Taxation (Mexico – Oil & Gas)

• Lead the calculation, review, and strategic management of corporate income tax, VAT, withholdings, and deferred taxes.
• Design and document methodologies for Deferred Tax Assets (DTA), ensuring alignment with development plans and production forecasts.
• Establish criteria for recognition, maintenance, or reversal of DTAs in coordination with auditors and corporate finance.
• Ensure accurate disclosure of deferred taxes in financial statements.
• Direct tax treatment of losses, cross-border payments, JV structures, and VAT recoverability.
• Oversee tax return filings and lead responses to SAT audits and requests.

VAT Refunds

• Manage VAT refund processes end-to-end, from documentation compilation to technical responses and risk mitigation strategies.

Volumetric Controls

• Lead coordination with Operations, IT, and service providers to ensure daily and monthly volumetric controls and compliance with CFDI issuance.

Joint Ventures and Operations

• Administer and oversee cash calls, partner billings, and settlements.
• Lead coordination of financial and tax information with partners, including PEMEX and private operators.
• Analyze and manage financial/tax impacts of payment structures in JV agreements.

Coordination and Advisory

• Direct collaboration with external advisors, auditors, and internal teams.
• Provide authoritative accounting and tax guidance to management.
• Lead financial and tax analyses for investment decisions, including FID.

Authority and Decision-Making

• Define and enforce accounting and tax criteria within corporate policies.
• Recommend and implement positions with material impact on financial statements and cash flow.
• Exercise technical autonomy with decisions subject only to senior finance review.

Critical Skills, Qualifications, Experience, etc.:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Preferred: Master’s degree or specialization in taxation.

Professional experience:

• 8–10 years of experience in accounting and taxation.
• Proven experience in the oil & gas, energy, or other highly regulated industries.
• Experience with joint ventures and capital-intensive projects.
• At least 8 years of experience in the Mexican energy industry and its tax framework (Hydrocarbons Law and Hydrocarbons Revenue Law).
• Prior experience in managerial roles in tax and accounting.

Technical and Non-Technical Competencies

Technical competencies

• IFRS and Mexican NIF
• Mexican taxation (Corporate Income Tax, VAT, and withholdings).
• E&P contracts and Joint Operating Agreements (JOA).
• Regulations issued by the CNH and SAT.
• ERP systems (SAP, Oracle) and cost control tools (Coupa).
• Mexican corporate taxation.
• International taxation and double taxation treaties.
• Use of tax authority filing platforms and systems.
• Knowledge of energy law, international taxation, anti-money laundering regulations, and financial reporting standards.

Systems

• SAP / Oracle / Coupa (procurement interface and cost control).
• Cost tracking by block, field, and contract.

Non-technical competencies

• Highly self-motivated, disciplined, well-organized, and able to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex tax matters clearly and professionally.
• Ability to interact with Mexican tax authorities.
• Capability to manage external advisors.
• Strong analytical thinking, professional judgment, and regulatory interpretation skills.
• Attention to detail with a business-oriented mindset.
• Risk management and compliance focus.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in complex environments.

Languages

• Spanish: Proficient (reading, writing, and speaking).
• English: Proficient (reading, writing, and speaking)

Inclusive recruitment is a vital part of our diversity, equity and inclusion strategy. Whatever your background, if you feel you need an adjustment during our selection process to suit your needs, please let us know, and we will be happy to help.

For further information or support on any of these points, please reach out to us at careers@harbourenergy.com