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- Tasks: Lead VAT strategy and compliance across the UK Group while influencing key stakeholders.
- Company: Join Royal Mail, an iconic brand with a strong commitment to trust and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, family healthcare, generous leave, and 18% annual bonus potential.
- Why this job: Shape financial insights and drive transformation in a pivotal role within a trusted organisation.
- Qualifications: Qualified VAT specialist with leadership skills and extensive compliance expertise.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Job reference: 335321
Competitive salary plus £5,500 car allowance, full family healthcare, 18% annual bonus potential, 27.5 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising with service and a company pension scheme with highly competitive contribution rates.
Permanent, Full time. This role operates on a hybrid basis, with two days per week based at our London office (185 Farringdon Road).
Join the Group Finance team at International Distribution Services (IDS). This is a pivotal function that partners with Royal Mail's Finance team to drive performance and deliver strategic financial insights. Be part of a team that shapes decisions and supports the success of one of the UK's most iconic organisations.
Are you an experienced qualified VAT specialist with outstanding leadership skills and extensive compliance expertise? If so, we’d love to hear from you. We’re recruiting a Head of VAT to join our Group Tax function at Royal Mail. Royal Mail is an iconic and trusted brand, and with significant new investment from EP Group, this is an exciting time to join the business. The role offers the opportunity to operate within a complex and evolving tax landscape, shaped by our unique operating model and regulatory environment.
This is a high profile position, providing the chance to lead VAT strategy and compliance across the UK Group while influencing key stakeholders and supporting the business through a period of transformation and growth.
About the Role
Reporting to the Director of Indirect Tax, you will lead all UK VAT activities, covering compliance, planning and advisory matters.
- Lead the preparation, review and submission of UK VAT returns, including partial exemption special method calculations.
- Provide technical VAT advice across the UK Group, including new products, income streams, transactions and regulatory developments.
- Support business projects, including IT and ERP initiatives, to ensure compliance and deliver VAT efficiencies.
- Identify and implement tax technology solutions to enhance VAT compliance and reporting.
- Manage relationships with tax authorities, advisers and business partners.
- Lead and develop the VAT team, providing clear direction and working closely with UK business partners involved in VAT reporting.
About You
You will bring:
- Strong technical VAT and analytical skills, with the ability to lead compliance and reporting in a partial exemption environment.
- ACA, CTA or equivalent professional qualification, with a minimum of seven years’ senior VAT experience.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Excellent communication skills, with confidence engaging stakeholders at all levels.
- A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to influence, drive change and improve processes, systems and ways of working.
Extra Benefits
- Family friendly support - enhanced maternity pay, paternity leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave.
- Discounts and offers - there are more than 800 offers to help you save on things like groceries, days out, holidays and your household bills.
- Supportive and generous company sick pay.
- Your Wellbeing - you and your family have 24/7 access to services and tools to help you get the most out of life. From your physical and mental health to financial and social support and advice. It’s free, and it’s for everyone.
Next Steps
The next stage of the selection process will be an initial call then a face to face interview consisting of competency based and role specific questions. Trust is the foundation of Royal Mail. We aim to be transparent about the qualities we seek and what a career with us entails, building trust from the start of your journey with us. Your interview is the first step, and we want you to shine. To help you prepare, we’ll provide your interview questions in advance, so you can have your best examples ready.
At Royal Mail Group, we value trust and our people. We understand that candidates may not meet all the criteria for the role. If your experience is different, but you have relevant skills we’d love to hear from you.
Royal Mail Group is committed to inclusion and representing the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals. As a proud Gold signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we especially encourage applications from the Armed Forces community, including cadet instructors and spouses/partners.
We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to support you during the hiring process, please discuss these with your recruiter when contacted.
We are Forces family friendly and a Gold signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from ex-Armed Forces personnel, reservists, veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.
For more information on Royal Mail Group and our values please click here: https://www.internationaldistributionsservices.com/en/about-us/
Closing Date: Sunday 15th February. Please note, this advert may close early if the appropriate number of applications has been reached.
Head of VAT employer: Royal Mail Group
Contact Detail:
Royal Mail Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of VAT
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Royal Mail and its values, especially how they relate to VAT and finance. This will help you tailor your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Since this role is all about leading a VAT team, think of specific examples where you've influenced change or improved processes. We want to hear about your successes, so have those stories ready to share.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn to gain insights into the company culture and expectations. Plus, it might just give you an edge when it comes to getting noticed during the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of VAT
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of VAT role. Highlight your VAT expertise, leadership experience, and any relevant qualifications like ACA or CTA. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role at Royal Mail. Share specific examples of your past achievements in VAT compliance and strategy that demonstrate your proactive approach.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to highlight your leadership style and experiences. We love collaborative leaders who can influence change, so share stories that showcase your ability to drive results through teamwork.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Royal Mail. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Mail Group
✨Know Your VAT Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical VAT knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss compliance, planning, and advisory matters in detail. Highlight your experience with partial exemption environments and any specific challenges you've faced.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of VAT, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've led teams, influenced stakeholders, and driven change in previous roles. Think about times when you’ve improved processes or systems and be ready to share those stories.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Communication is key! Be prepared to talk about how you've successfully engaged with various stakeholders at all levels. Share specific instances where your communication skills made a difference, especially in complex situations involving tax authorities or business partners.
✨Be Solutions-Focused
The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving. Think of examples where you've identified issues and implemented effective solutions, particularly in VAT compliance or reporting. Show that you can think on your feet and adapt to changing circumstances.
