VAT Compliance & Advisory Manager in Colchester

At Informa, no two days and no two people are the same, and you'll find the freedom, opportunity and support of a fantastic community to make a real impact.

We’re an international business that connects specialists with knowledge, helping them to learn more, know more and do more through live and on demand events, digital and data‑driven services and academic research.

We are home to over 10,000 colleagues across 30 countries and are a member of the UK’s FTSE 100 group of leading public companies.

In Global Support, we provide expert guidance and hands‑on support to the Informa Group and Informa’s many business teams.

Across tech, finance, legal, corporate development, HR, communications, operations and many other areas, we work collaboratively and flexibly to help our brands serve their customers and help the company succeed.

Job Description

Reporting into the Head of Tax Compliance & Statutory Accounting for EMEA & APAC, this is a key operational role which is accountable for the efficient day to day running of the VAT team.

The Global Tax & Financial Accounting team is responsible for the preparation and filing of indirect and direct tax filings, statutory account filings and treasury back‑office functions.

The VAT Compliance & Advisory Manager will provide strong leadership and guide the team to contribute to the success of the organisation.

Developing high‑performing teams is a must and being able to demonstrate the ability to implement and drive robust change‑management controls and enhance processes.

The individual will be responsible for ensuring the team delivers high value, consistent accounting service.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversight of EMEA VAT compliance for all legal entities and liaising with advisors as required.
• Provision of complex VAT advice to SSC teams and the operating divisions including new VAT requirements, legislative changes and the impact of business developments on VAT requirements.
• Identification and delivery of process and systems improvements / automation by leading special projects including key process testing, new processes and systems.
• Oversight of setting up new VAT registrations.
• Liaising with UK and overseas Tax Authorities on issues or audits.
• Manage VAT due diligence and provide advice on new acquisitions, divestments, business product changes and other ad hoc projects.
• Ensure systems are up to date for VAT rate changes, liaising with relevant system teams.
• Maintaining a risk review register and attending risk review meetings with the business.

Identification of new VAT compliance requirements through discussions with the business and review of event plans and relevant reports.

• Preparation and delivery of VAT training where necessary to Tax & Financial Accounting Team or other business teams.
• Oversight of EMEA VAT balance sheet reconciliations.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls framework and support internal & external audits as required.
• Oversee, motivate and manage your team.
• People development to ensure the effectiveness of all staff within the department concentrating on both performance and soft skill development.
• Planning and prioritising the work within the department ensuring resource management is considered.
• Preparation and reporting of specific performance metrics within agreed deadlines.
• Ensure a robust communication structure is in place across the team to ensure all key messages are communicated.
• Participate in Recruitment & Selection processes.
• Provide assistance in identifying career development opportunities for direct reports.
• Actively support a culture of team engagement.
• Act as a role model to others.
• Work closely with HR to ensure all people management processes and policies are being adhered to.

Qualifications

• Professional tax qualification (e. g., CTA) and/or accounting qualification (e. g., ACA/ACCA).
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of all Tax processes including best practice in Tax, people, processes and technology.
• Significant knowledge of SAP, Oracle and relevant sales order processing systems.
• Excellent knowledge of leadership, coaching and people development.
• A track record of continuous professional and management development.
• Knowledge of dealing with acquisitions and disposals.
• 6 years relevant VAT experience.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to lead, oversee, motivate and manage people in a Tax environment.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels including a wide range of senior stakeholders within the business.
• Improves processes & systems.
• Problem solves within tight deadlines.
• Be pro‑active and take initiative and encourage teams to do the same.
• Knowledge and ability to use relevant internal systems.
• Act with integrity.
• Excellent influencing skills.
• Highly organised, diligent with attention to detail and the ability to maintain these skills whilst working under pressure.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Advanced skills in Excel, Word and Outlook are essential.
• Proven ability to work to stringent deadlines.
• Demonstrable success in improving Tax service levels.
• Additional Information

We believe that great things happen when people connect face‑to‑face.

That’s why we work in‑person with each other, or with customers and partners, three days a week or more.

When you’re not spending time together in one of our offices or other workplaces – like at an Informa event – you get the flexibility and support to work from home or remotely.

Benefits

Great community

a welcoming culture with in‑person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World charity day and active diversity and inclusion networks.

Broader impact

take up to four days per year to volunteer, with charity match funding available too.

Career opportunity

the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms and on‑demand access to thousands of courses on Linked In Learning.

When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves.

Time out

25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after two years, plus a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year.

• A flexible range of personal benefits to choose from, plus company funded private medical cover.
• A Share Match scheme that allows you to become an Informa shareholder with free matching shares.
• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, a healthy living subsidy, access to health apps and more.
• Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programmes.
• As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world.

We’re not solely focused on a checklist of skills.

We champion energy and ambition and look for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up, join in and help make things happen.

If it sounds like a match and you have most – although not all – of the skills and experience listed, we welcome your application.

If you would like to request reasonable adjustments or accommodations to assist your participation in the hiring process and, or in the advertised position, please inform the appropriate Talent Acquisition Partner for the role once they have been in touch.

Your request will be reviewed and considered in confidence.

At Informa, you'll find inclusive experiences and environments where all perspectives and backgrounds are welcomed.

As part of this approach and our diversity and inclusion commitments, we are also formally an Equal Opportunities Employer.

This means we base decisions on relevant qualifications and merit and do not discriminate on the basis of key characteristics and statuses, including all of those protected by law.

Ask us or see our website for full information.

See how Informa handles your personal data when you apply for a job here.

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