In-House R&D Tax Senior Manager

Bradford and Leeds | Up to £90,000 per annum + excellent benefits | Permanent

A growing, technology-led global business services organisation is seeking an experienced VAT professional to join its established Tax team.

This is a senior leadership opportunity within a VAT function supporting UK and European entities, working alongside colleagues and stakeholders across multiple international locations. The role combines ownership of complex VAT compliance delivery with technical oversight, stakeholder management and support for business projects and operational change.

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of VAT compliance services, including the preparation, review and timely filing of returns and related submissions.
• Oversee the quality of VAT compliance outputs, ensuring work meets agreed processes, controls and deadlines.
• Support the development and maintenance of a robust VAT compliance framework, including clear ownership, review points, escalation routes and supporting evidence of controls.
• Monitor compliance risks, including data quality, process gaps and deadline pressures, implementing practical mitigation actions.
• Provide senior technical guidance and review on complex VAT compliance matters.
• Coordinate workloads, priorities and delivery standards across the VAT team.
• Act as a senior escalation point for customers and internal Finance, Procure-to-Pay and Systems teams.
• Lead the onboarding of new customers, entities and jurisdictions, including process design, controls, governance and readiness assessments.
• Support business projects and organisational change by translating VAT requirements into practical compliance and operational actions.
• Monitor changes in VAT legislation and case law, advising senior stakeholders on compliance implications.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and control of VAT operations.
• Lead project work involving VAT audits, HMRC enquiries and disclosures, M&A activity, due diligence and VAT grouping within the agreed service scope.
• Lead indirect tax work streams in ERP and tax engine implementations, including design, configuration and testing.
• Support the integration of newly acquired businesses into the wider group's VAT compliance and control environment.
• Manage and develop junior team members through technical training, coaching and performance feedback.
• Design, implement and enhance VAT governance frameworks, controls and documentation in line with Senior Accounting Officer (SAO) and relevant regulatory expectations.

• Hold a professional accountancy or tax qualification, such as ACA, ACCA or CTA.
• Extensive experience in a VAT advisory or senior VAT role.
• Strong practical experience in VAT return preparation and filing.
• Excellent technical VAT knowledge, with the ability to interpret and apply legislation pragmatically.
• Strong Excel and financial systems skills, ideally including Oracle and/or SAP.
• Experience working in complex environments and delivering against demanding deadlines.
• Ability to research, analyse and resolve complex taxation issues.
• Strong managerial and leadership capabilities, with experience supporting and developing team members.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.

You will also demonstrate:

• A strong assurance mindset, with the ability to identify risks in processes and reconciliations and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Confidence communicating technical analysis and its practical implications to stakeholders.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external teams across multiple locations.
• A well-organised, adaptable and resilient approach to competing priorities.
• A solution-driven mindset, with an interest in challenging existing processes and finding more effective ways of working.
• Strong relationship-building skills, commercial awareness and a proactive approach to service delivery.

• Take on a central leadership role within an established VAT function.
• Oversee VAT compliance across UK and European entities.
• Work closely with senior tax leadership and stakeholders across international locations.
• Gain exposure to complex business projects, M&A activity, due diligence and tax technology implementations.
• Influence VAT governance, controls and operational processes.
• Lead and develop a team of VAT professionals within a collaborative, technology-led environment.