At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead indirect tax strategy and compliance in a fast-paced fintech environment.
- Company: Starling Bank, the UK's first digital bank, transforming banking for everyone.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and generous family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Open to flexible working requests and committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team reshaping banking with innovative solutions and impactful projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in UK indirect tax within financial services and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Starling is the UK's first and leading digital bank on a mission to fix banking! We built a new kind of bank because we knew technology had the power to help people save, spend and manage their money in a new and transformative way. We're a fully licensed UK bank with the culture and spirit of a fast-moving, disruptive tech company. We're a bank, but better: fairer, easier to use and designed to demystify money for everyone.
Hybrid Working
We have a Hybrid approach to working here at Starling - our preference is that you're located within a commutable distance of our London office so that we're able to interact and collaborate in person. We're asking that you attend the office a minimum of 10 days per month.
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Head of Indirect Tax (or an experienced Senior Manager ready to take the next step in their career) to join our growing tax team, reporting directly to the Group Director of Tax. As a central leader within the tax function, you will take overall responsibility for managing the group's UK and international indirect tax affairs spanning strategic tax planning, international expansion, structuring and transactions, as well as indirect tax compliance and governance. This is a high-visibility leadership role during an ambitious phase of scaling for the Starling Bank group. You will lead indirect tax strategy across our core UK banking operations, our global Software-as-a-Service banking platform (Engine by Starling), overseas entities and branch networks, new financial product developments, and strategic corporate transactions.
Responsibilities
The role involves a wide range of responsibilities and high-impact opportunities in a rapidly scaling fintech environment, including:
- Leading the group's indirect tax strategy and compliance, proactively identifying opportunities and navigating statutory changes across UK and international jurisdictions.
- Supporting high-profile corporate projects including IPO planning, group reorganisations, acquisitions, international expansion, and transfer pricing.
- Championing strategic VAT planning and optimisation across the group, anticipating emerging indirect tax developments and requirements that could impact our operations.
- Establishing, monitoring, and continually refining the group's Indirect Tax Risk Management & Governance Framework, ensuring rigorous alignment with Senior Accounting Officer (SAO) requirements, anti-facilitation of tax evasion controls, and internal audit standards.
- Managing relationships with external professional advisers, ensuring high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective delivery.
- Partnering closely with Finance, Engineering, and Technology teams to optimise and automate ERP tax engines (e.g. NetSuite, Workday), auditing and configuring automated VAT determination logic, general ledger mapping, and digital invoice matching to support Making Tax Digital (MTD) and international real-time e-invoicing standards.
- Delivering clear, commercially minded indirect tax advice and structured training to Commercial, Product, and Finance teams regarding indirect tax implications and new product rollouts.
- Leading all engagements with tax authorities, overseeing routine inquiries, formal audits, and proactive dispute resolution.
Requirements
Substantial post-qualification experience in UK indirect tax within financial services (such as retail banking, lending, payment institutions, or fintech), featuring demonstrable experience leading complex Partial Exemption calculations. Comprehensive knowledge of international indirect tax frameworks, including EU B2B place-of-supply rules, reverse charge mechanics, and Fixed Establishment risk management. Proven ability to act as a trusted adviser to executive leadership (CFO, Head of Tax, General Counsel), translating complex indirect tax regulations into actionable commercial strategy and clear briefings. Professional qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CTA, or equivalent, backed by strong core accounting knowledge. Collaborative, self-motivated leadership approach with exceptional organisational ability, meticulous attention to detail, and a pragmatic attitude toward indirect tax risk management. A commercial, solution-focused mindset, alongside the ability to communicate technical indirect tax matters clearly to both tax specialists and non-tax stakeholders.
Benefits
25 days holiday (plus take your public holiday allowance whenever works best for you). An extra day's holiday for your birthday. Annual leave is increased with length of service, and you can choose to buy or sell up to five extra days off. 16 hours paid volunteering time a year. Salary sacrifice, company enhanced pension scheme. Life insurance at 4x your salary. Private Medical Insurance with VitalityHealth including mental health support and cancer care. Partner benefits include discounts with Waitrose, Mr&Mrs Smith and Peloton. Generous family-friendly policies. Perkbox membership giving access to retail discounts, a wellness platform for physical and mental health, and weekly free and boosted perks. Access to initiatives like Cycle to Work and Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships.
About Us
You may be put off applying for a role because you don't tick every box. While we can't accommodate every flexible working request, we're always open to discussion. We're on a mission to radically reshape banking – and that starts with our brilliant team. Starling Bank is an equal opportunity employer, and we're proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Starling Bank are considered without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Tax Manager (Flexible Hours!) in London employer: Starling Bank
At Engine by Starling, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration within the banking technology sector. Our flexible working culture, generous benefits including 33 days of holiday and private medical insurance, and commitment to employee growth create a supportive environment where legal professionals can thrive. Located in a dynamic and rapidly growing company, you'll have the opportunity to work on impactful projects while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Tax Manager (Flexible Hours!) in London
✨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 Starling Bank, 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 (Flexible Hours!) in London
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 Starling Bank'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 Starling Bank. 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 Starling Bank!
How to prepare for a job interview at Starling Bank
✨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 Starling Bank.
✨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 Starling Bank. It helps to show our commitment!
