Employment Tax Associate Director (Edinburgh) in Midlothian, Scotland

Forvis Mazars is a leading global professional services network providing audit & assurance, tax, and advisory services. Forvis Mazars in the UK spans 14 offices across the nation and has over 3,400 professionals, with 190 partners. We have a clear purpose and a shared commitment to shape a better future. You'll join a collaborative and inclusive team where you're supported to grow your skills, explore new opportunities, and contribute from day one. You'll work with a diverse client base, develop meaningful connections, and gain experience that extends beyond your local team. Together, we grow, belong and impact.

We are now looking for an exceptional Associate Director to join our growing UK Employment Tax practice in Scotland. Based in Edinburgh or Glasgow, you will play a pivotal leadership role as we expand our advisory capability, support a strong client portfolio, and build out our team during a period of planned senior transitions and growing client demand. This is a rare opportunity to take a senior position in a high-performing practice with clear progression, autonomy, and the chance to lead Scotland-wide growth.

The Role

As an Associate Director, you will provide strategic leadership across our UK employment tax service line in Scotland, as well as have a voice nationally. You will oversee complex advisory assignments, lead client relationships, drive business development, and help manage a streamlined team of talented specialists. You will work closely with partners and senior leadership across the business to shape our market presence, support succession planning within the Scottish practice, and ensure delivery excellence for our clients. This role is ideal for a strong Senior Manager seeking broader leadership responsibility.

What You'll Do

• Leadership & Practice Development
  • Lead the employment tax function in Scotland, supporting growth plans across Glasgow and Edinburgh.
  • Input into overall national strategy as part of a key member of the leadership team.
  • Act as a senior technical expert on PAYE/NIC, benefits, IR35, CIS, employment status, travel rules, reward, and HMRC enquiries.
  • Drive quality, risk management, team development and best-practice standards.
  • Support succession planning as key senior colleagues transition.
• Client Advisory & Relationship Management
  • Lead high-profile advisory projects for major employers across sectors including financial services, energy, technology, retail, family business and public sector.
  • Oversee employer compliance reviews, HMRC negotiations, and strategic tax planning.
  • Build long-term client relationships, acting as trusted adviser to Boards, CFOs, HR Directors and Reward teams.
• Business Development
  • Identify new opportunities, prepare proposals, contribute to tenders and market initiatives.
  • Represent the practice at Scottish industry events and professional bodies.
  • Help define and deliver our Scottish employment tax growth strategy.
• Team Leadership & People Development
  • Manage, mentor and grow the Scottish employment tax team.
  • Oversee resource planning, coaching and technical training.
  • Provide leadership across wider UK service line initiatives.

What We're Looking For

• Significant UK employment tax experience.
• Deep technical expertise across PAYE, NIC, benefits, reward strategy, IR35/worker status, CIS, termination payments, and HMRC compliance/audit work.
• Proven experience managing complex advisory portfolios and leading client relationships.
• Strong leadership capability, able to manage teams and influence senior stakeholders.
• Commercial mindset with a track record in business development or market engagement.
• CTA qualified (preferred) and/or with substantial employment tax expertise.
• Confident communicator, strategic thinker, and credible adviser at senior levels.

What We Offer

• A leading role in shaping our Scottish employment tax practice.
• Progression to Director/Partner.
• Exposure to some of the most interesting employment tax projects in the UK market.
• Competitive salary, bonus and flexible benefits package.
• Supportive, collaborative culture with national visibility.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Forvis Mazars inclusion and diversity are central to our values. We recognise that being an inclusive and diverse organisation makes us stronger as a business. We seek to attract and recruit people who reflect the diverse nature of our clients and communities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, nationality, faith or belief, social background, age, and disability. Forvis Mazars selects candidates based on skills, knowledge, qualifications, and experience.