Senior Group VAT Manager - Fixed Term Contract

Senior Group VAT Manager

London | Hybrid Working

An exciting opportunity for a Senior Group VAT Manager to join a growing, international retail business.

We're looking for an experienced VAT professional to join a dynamic Group Finance team, reporting to the Head of Tax. This is a 5-month maternity cover starting immediately, so only candidate available on short notice will be considered.

You'll take ownership of VAT compliance across multiple jurisdictions, working closely with external tax advisors and internal stakeholders, while also contributing to a range of wider indirect tax projects and strategic initiatives.

The Role

• Lead and oversee VAT compliance across the UK and EMEA, ensuring accurate and timely submissions and payments.
• Manage relationships with external tax advisors and tax authorities, including supporting VAT audits and enquiries.
• Provide technical VAT guidance on complex issues, including cross-border transactions, Intrastat and EC Sales Lists.
• Support wider international tax, customs and indirect tax projects.
• Contribute to the development of VAT policies, processes and controls.
• Support the ongoing development of VAT technology and Making Tax Digital initiatives.
• Partner with finance and commercial teams, providing practical VAT guidance on invoicing, VAT accounting and business transactions.

About You

• Experience in a multinational business or within a professional services tax advisory environment, ideally specialising in indirect tax.
• Strong UK VAT knowledge, alongside an understanding of international VAT and wider UK tax matters.
• A professional tax or accounting qualification (CTA or equivalent preferred).
• Advanced Excel skills, including VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables and SUMIFs.
• Confident managing multiple priorities and delivering against tight deadlines.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge senior business teams.
• A proactive, analytical and commercially minded approach, with the confidence to operate in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

If you're an ambitious VAT professional looking for a broad, high-profile role where you can influence processes, support international growth and add real commercial value, we'd love to hear from you.

Handle Recruitment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.