Senior Manager – Indirect Tax – UK and Europe in Manchester

Our global Group Tax function manages tax compliance and advisory across all jurisdictions in which AtkinsRéalis operates. The UK and Europe indirect tax portfolio is a critical part of this function, encompassing VAT compliance, advisory, and governance for a complex group structure including joint operations and cross-border transactions.

As Indirect Tax Manager – UK and Europe, you will take full ownership of VAT compliance and advisory for UK entities, while providing oversight and support for Irish, French, German, Swiss, and other European VAT obligations. You will be a trusted technical expert, ensuring accurate and timely filings, managing HMRC and other tax authority relationships, and advising the business on the VAT implications of major projects and transactions.

You will be responsible for developing and maintaining robust governance frameworks, ensuring that VAT policies and processes are documented, followed, and continuously improved. You will work closely with the UK Financial Operations team, external advisers, and colleagues across the Group Tax function to deliver a high-quality, efficient, and compliant VAT service.

This role requires a proactive and commercially aware individual who can balance the demands of day-to-day compliance with the need to provide clear, timely, and practical VAT advice on complex transactions, including joint operations, cross-border supplies, and major capital projects.

The successful candidate will be a qualified tax professional with deep VAT expertise and experience of managing compliance processes, advising on complex transactions, and engaging with tax authorities. Experience of European or Middle Eastern indirect taxes would be an advantage.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced VAT professional to take on a broad and visible role within a dynamic, rapidly growing multinational business, with scope to develop the function and make a real impact.

Your role

• VAT returns and compliance
• Full accountability for the end-to-end VAT Compliance for UK entities as supported by the UK Financial Operations team who prepare the VAT returns.
• Review UK VAT return (monthly AP/AR data and quarterly VAT return), obtain approval for submission and complete filings using an MTD tool.
• Review and support submission of Irish VAT and Swiss VAT returns for UK entities and associated VAT advisory.
• Review and support submission of Irish, French and German VAT returns for European group entities.
• Review and support submission of Joint Operation VAT returns and associated VAT advisory.
• Advise on major projects and transactions, including Joint Operations. Develop governance processes and ensure policies are followed and process documentation is maintained and updated.
• HMRC liaison, all interactions regarding VAT Compliance including responsibility for SAO reporting for UK VAT.
• Forecasting and administration of VAT payments.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the VAT compliance and reporting cycle.
• VAT advisory
• Advise on ad-hoc queries and communicate changes in legislation to relevant stakeholders.
• External adviser liaison: manage relationships with external VAT advisers, instructing and reviewing their work as required.
• Support the wider Group Tax team with indirect tax matters across the UK and Europe as required, including VAT registrations, de-registrations, and ad-hoc compliance in those jurisdictions.
• Monitor and assess the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the group’s VAT obligations.
• Adhoc Customs advisory.

About you

• CTA, ACA, ACCA, CA or equivalent professional qualification.
• Post-qualification experience in VAT compliance and advisory, gained in practice (Big 4 or mid-tier firm) and/or in-house within a multinational group.
• Strong working knowledge of UK VAT legislation, HMRC guidance, and Making Tax Digital requirements.
• Experience of managing VAT compliance processes end-to-end, including review of returns, payment administration, and dealings with HMRC.
• Experience advising on complex VAT matters such as land and immoveable property, software supplies, CIS Domestic Reverse Charge, international services, and joint ventures/operations.
• Experience of European and/or Middle Eastern indirect tax compliance and advisory is desirable but not essential.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Additional information

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.