At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead VAT compliance across multiple jurisdictions and drive timely filings.
- Company: Join a dynamic firm shaping indirect tax operations at scale.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, life assurance, gym membership, and a 7% pension contribution.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor junior team members and contribute to process improvements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in VAT compliance while developing your career in tax technology.
- Qualifications: 8+ years of VAT experience and strong organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
In this role you own end-to-end VAT compliance across multiple jurisdictions, driving timely filings and control improvements. You will lead the VAT cycle, coordinate external advisors, and supervise the VAT Analyst to ensure accurate, well-documented results. You’ll monitor regulatory changes, implement processes, and support tax technology and e-invoicing initiatives. This is a hands-on, operational role that shapes the firm’s indirect tax operations at scale.
Pay / Benefits
- private medical insurance with Bupa
- life assurance (4x salary)
- critical illness insurance (2x salary)
- income protection insurance
- 7% pension contribution
- gym membership or wellness allowance
Responsibilities
- Manage preparation, review, and submission of VAT/GST returns across applicable jurisdictions
- Oversee European Sales Listings, Intrastat filings, and other indirect tax reporting obligations
- Own VAT compliance calendar and ensure deadlines are met
- Review workpapers, reconciliations, data extracts, and compliance docs
- Maintain organized compliance records and audit trails
- Monitor VAT regulatory developments and implement filing/process updates
- Provide practical VAT guidance to internal teams and escalate complex issues
- Support VAT registrations/deregistrations and changes as needed
- Manage interactions with external VAT advisors and service providers
- Coordinate information requests, filing deliverables, and advisor follow-ups
- Coordinate responses to tax authority inquiries and audits
- Monitor advisor deliverables and address delays or quality concerns
- Support development of governance procedures and filing review protocols
- Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop the VAT Analyst
- Set priorities, assign work, manage capacity, and ensure timely, well-documented deliverables
- Onboard and develop additional indirect tax ops team members
- Establish expectations for ownership, quality, and escalation discipline
- Support e-invoicing and real-time reporting initiatives with validation and testing
- Contribute to process documentation and control improvements
- Identify opportunities to improve compliance efficiency and data quality
- Support tax residency certificates and withholding tax documentation as needed
- Participate in special projects led by the Indirect Tax Operations Manager
Key requirements
- 8+ years of VAT or indirect tax compliance experience
- Strong knowledge of VAT/GST returns, European Sales Listings, Intrastat
- Experience managing multi-jurisdictional filing obligations and advisor relationships
- Experience supporting VAT audits or inquiries
- Strong Excel and data management skills
- Excellent organizational and time management abilities
- Proactive, solutions-oriented approach with ownership of day-to-day activities
- Interest in e-invoicing, tax tech, automation, and process improvement
- ATT, CTA, ACA, ACCA, or equivalent qualification, or progress toward qualification (preferred)
- Strong VAT compliance judgment and attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines across jurisdictions
- Strong organizational skills for disciplined documentation
- Comfort with large datasets and compliance reporting tools
- Effective communication with Finance, Billing, AP, local offices, advisors, and tax colleagues
- Ability to supervise and develop junior team members
Tax Manager (VAT) employer: King & Spalding
At King & Spalding LLP, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored mentorship programmes and opportunities for professional development, particularly in the dynamic field of pricing and legal project management. Located in Europe, our firm offers a unique environment where you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying competitive benefits and a supportive team atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Tax Manager (VAT)
✨Join Tax Networks
Get involved in tax-focused networks or associations, like the Chartered Institute of Taxation. These communities often host events and workshops which can help you make connections with industry professionals, plus they might even have job boards exclusive to members.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for tax-related conferences and seminars. Events like these are not only great for learning but also for meeting potential employers face-to-face. Use these opportunities to ask questions and express your interest; it’s all about putting a face to the name!
✨Leverage Social Media
Follow leading tax advisory firms, such as King & Spalding, on social media. Engage with their posts – comment, share insights, or even ask questions. This can help you get noticed and show your enthusiasm for the industry before you even apply!
✨Showcase Your Knowledge
Consider writing articles or blogs on tax trends and issues. Sharing your expertise on platforms like LinkedIn can boost your visibility and establish you as someone who is serious about a career in tax advisory. Plus, it gives you something to discuss when you land that interview!
We think you need these skills to ace Tax Manager (VAT)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tax Knowledge:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant tax qualifications, certifications, or coursework you've completed. We want to see that you understand tax laws, regulations, and compliance issues—so detail your academic background or any practical experience in tax advisory to catch King & Spalding's eye!
Quantify Your Achievements:In the tax consultancy field, showing measurable outcomes from your previous work can set you apart. Use your CV to include specific examples of how your advice helped clients save money or avoid penalties. Numbers speak volumes in our industry and can really highlight your impact.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express why you're passionate about tax consultancy and why you're excited about working at King & Spalding. Share any personal experiences or insights that fuel your interest in the tax advisory field—let your enthusiasm shine through!
Keep It Professional but Approachable:While your written application should maintain a professional tone, don’t be afraid to let a bit of your personality show. Tax advisory is about building relationships, so if you can convey your approachable nature in your writing, that's a bonus when applying for this full-time role at King & Spalding!
How to prepare for a job interview at King & Spalding
✨Know Your Tax Fundamentals
Brush up on the core principles of tax law, especially recent updates that might affect clients. During the interview, we could face scenario-based questions where we'll need to apply these principles to solve problems, so get comfy with hypothetical situations!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Tax advisory isn't just about knowing the rules; it’s about interpreting them. Make sure to prepare examples from your previous studies or experiences where you successfully analysed complex data. We want to demonstrate how we can bring those analytical skills to the table for King & Spalding.
✨Understand the Consulting Aspect
Since this is a full-time role, the interview might involve discussing how we communicate tax strategies to clients. Think about times we've interacted with clients or presented technical information in a digestible way. This shows we’re not just tax boffins but can also connect with people!
✨Your Long-Term Vision
As we're aiming for a full-time position, it's important to convey our enthusiasm and long-term interest in tax advisory. Be prepared to chat about why we’re passionate about this field and how we see ourselves growing within King & Spalding. It helps to show our commitment!
