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- Tasks: Lead VAT and Customs activities, shaping tax strategy and compliance across the UK.
- Company: Join Royal Mail, a historic brand in global logistics with a dynamic team.
- Benefits: Enjoy family-friendly support, discounts, generous sick pay, and 24/7 wellbeing services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on tax policy and lead a high-calibre specialist team.
- Qualifications: Senior-level VAT/indirect tax experience and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence key commercial decisions in a complex tax landscape.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Location: London (185 Farringdon Road) + Hybrid Working. Occasional travel to Chesterfield may be required.
Reports to: Group Tax Director
Team: Lead a team of 4
Company: International Distribution Services (IDS) / Royal Mail
About the company: International Distribution Services, IDS is a global logistics company, operating the Royal Mail and GLS delivery networks. Royal Mail is an iconic British brand with over 500 years of history, evolving from a service for the Crown into the UK's leading mail, parcel and logistics operator. Parcelforce Worldwide provides time-critical, door-to-door services across the UK and internationally. GLS is a leading international logistics provider with a strong parcel service network in Europe and North America.
About the role: IDS is seeking an exceptional Head of Indirect Tax to lead all VAT and Customs activities across the UK business and support strategic indirect tax matters for GLS as required. This leadership role is responsible for the Group's indirect tax reporting, compliance, planning, and advisory agenda—shaping the future of tax policy, risk management, and tax-efficient commercial propositions across a complex organisation. You will lead a UK-based team of VAT and Customs specialists, acting as the subject matter expert and strategic voice on all indirect tax matters.
Key responsibilities
- Tax Strategy & Planning
- Develop and deliver a comprehensive indirect tax strategy aligned to Group objectives
- Identify VAT savings, tax efficiencies, and process improvements to enhance financial performance
- Ensure all products and services provided to customers are fully compliant and risk managed
- Communicate and report strategic issues, opportunities, and risks to senior leadership
- Implement best practice approaches to indirect tax governance, controls, and operations
- Collaboration & Advisory
- Act as the Group's senior adviser on VAT, Customs, and indirect tax implications of new initiatives, regulatory changes, transactions, and business operations
- Lead tax due diligence and structuring activities for acquisitions and corporate transactions
- Work closely with senior leaders across Legal, Finance, Commercial, Government Affairs, and other functions
- Play a key leadership role in shaping commercially compelling, tax-efficient propositions across services where VAT and International Trade & Customs are significant differentiators (International, Wholesale, and commercial products)
- Build and maintain strong relationships with external advisers and HMRC
- HMRC Relationship Ownership
- Lead the Group's relationship with HMRC on all indirect tax matters, ensuring transparent, constructive, and proactive engagement
- Team Leadership
- Lead, develop, and mentor the indirect tax team (4 direct reports)
- Foster a collaborative, high performance culture focused on continuous learning, innovation, and accountability
- Compliance & Controls
- Drive Group-wide awareness of compliance and reporting obligations, ensuring adherence to Senior Accounting Officer provisions
- Implement and maintain robust tax control frameworks across the organisation
- Tax Technology & Transformation
- Champion tax technology adoption and lead the indirect tax workstream through the SAP S/4HANA upgrade
- Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and enhance reporting and compliance processes
- External Advocacy
- Lead lobbying and engagement with tax authorities and EU agencies on VAT matters affecting Royal Mail
- Adviser Management
- Select, manage, and build strong relationships with the Group's external advisers on all indirect tax matters
- Risk Management & Audit
- Assess, maintain, and manage tax and customs risks, including ownership of risk registers and emerging threat identification
- Lead management of internal and external audits, disputes, and tax-related investigations
- Ensure accuracy, consistency, and efficiency in all indirect tax reporting and filings through best-practice tools and controls
Experience & qualifications
- ACA / CTA (or equivalent professional qualification)
- Proven experience at senior level VAT/indirect tax in a complex environment
- Deep expertise in UK VAT and Customs with strong analytical and technical capability
- Collaborative and influential leadership style with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders
- Proven ability to deliver change across systems, processes, and teams
- Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills
- Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen and ability to simplify complex tax issues
- Highly self-motivated, resilient, and comfortable navigating ambiguity
Why join us?
IDS and Royal Mail are iconic brands with significant new investment. This role offers the opportunity to operate within a complex and evolving tax landscape and to shape the indirect tax agenda at Royal Mail, influence key commercial decisions, drive transformation, and lead a high-calibre specialist team.
Benefits & Next steps
- Family friendly support – enhanced maternity pay, paternity/adoption leave, and shared parental leave
- Discounts and offers – 800+ offers for savings on groceries, days out, holidays, and household bills
- Sick pay – supportive and generous
- Your Wellbeing – 24/7 access to services for physical and mental health, financial and social support
Next Steps
The next stage of the selection process will be a face-to-face or virtual interview with competency-based and role-specific questions. Royal Mail Group is committed to inclusion and represents the diverse communities we serve. We encourage applications from all individuals, including the Armed Forces community. If you require adjustments to support you during the hiring process, please discuss with your recruiter when contacted.
Closing date: 13 February 2026. This advert may close early if the appropriate number of applications is reached.
Head of Indirect Tax in London employer: Royal Mail Group
Contact Detail:
Royal Mail Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Indirect Tax in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine in front of the hiring panel.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Indirect Tax in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Indirect Tax role. Highlight your experience with VAT and Customs, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
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. Share specific examples of your past achievements in tax strategy and compliance that align with what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, demonstrate your strategic thinking abilities. Talk about how you've successfully navigated complex tax environments and influenced key decisions in previous roles. We love a candidate who can think ahead!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at IDS!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Mail Group
✨Know Your Tax Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your UK VAT and Customs knowledge. Be prepared to discuss specific tax strategies and compliance issues that are relevant to the role. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the basics, but that you can also think strategically about indirect tax matters.
✨Show Leadership Skills
As a Head of Indirect Tax, you'll be leading a team. Think about examples from your past where you've successfully led a team or project. Be ready to share how you foster collaboration and drive performance, as well as how you handle challenges within a team setting.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
This role requires strong relationships with senior leaders and external advisers. Prepare to discuss how you've effectively communicated complex tax issues to non-tax professionals in the past. Highlight your negotiation skills and how you’ve influenced decisions at a senior level.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect competency-based questions that may involve real-life scenarios related to tax strategy and compliance. Think through potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would address them. This will demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking.
