Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead VAT strategy and compliance across the UK Group, influencing key stakeholders.
- Company: Join Royal Mail, an iconic brand with a strong commitment to inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, family-friendly support, and wellbeing services.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Shape financial insights during a transformative period for a trusted organisation.
- Qualifications: Qualified VAT specialist with leadership skills and extensive compliance expertise.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
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.
This role operates on a hybrid basis, with two days per week based at our London office (185 Farringdon Road) or Chesterfield (Future Walk).
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
- 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.
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.
Closing Date: Sunday 1st March. Please note, this advert may close early if the appropriate number of applications has been reached.
Head of VAT in Chesterfield employer: Royal Mail
Contact Detail:
Royal Mail Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of VAT in Chesterfield
✨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 conversation during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for those competency-based questions by thinking of examples from your past experiences that highlight your leadership skills and VAT expertise. We want you to shine, so rehearse your answers until they feel natural.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn to gain insights about the company culture and the role. They might share tips that could give you an edge in the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Royal Mail. Let’s get you that Head of VAT position!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of VAT in Chesterfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your VAT expertise and leadership skills, as these are key for the Head of VAT role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've led VAT compliance and strategy in previous roles, and don’t forget to show your enthusiasm for joining Royal Mail!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be engaging with stakeholders at all levels, it's important to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect this ability.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application is received properly and gives you the best chance to shine in the selection process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Mail
✨Know Your VAT Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical VAT knowledge. Be prepared to discuss compliance, planning, and advisory matters in detail. Familiarise yourself with the latest regulatory developments and how they impact the UK Group.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of VAT, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Think of examples where you've successfully led a team or influenced stakeholders. Highlight your collaborative style and how you've driven change in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Competency Questions
Since the interview will include competency-based questions, think about specific situations where you've tackled challenges or improved processes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
✨Engage with the Company’s Values
Research Royal Mail's values and be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. Show that you understand their commitment to trust and inclusion, and be prepared to share how you can contribute to their culture.