Senior Tax Specialist

Michael Page; United Arab Emirates; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading diversified group in Dubai is seeking a Senior Tax Specialist to focus on UAE VAT compliance and advisory. The role involves overseeing VAT operations, managing audits, and providing strategic tax advisory support. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience and strong technical expertise in VAT laws. This position offers a competitive salary and the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with ongoing learning and development.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits

Opportunity for learning and development

High-visibility role within the finance and tax team

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in UAE VAT compliance and advisory.
• Strong tax technical expertise across VAT and corporate tax.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with finance and IT.

Responsibilities

• Oversee VAT operations ensuring compliance and managing audits.
• Provide advisory support and practical VAT solutions to stakeholders.
• Conduct training sessions on VAT compliance and best practices.

Skills

Advisory

Communication

Problem Solving

Tax Technical Expertise

Tools

MS Office

ERP systems (SAP, Oracle)

Job description

We are hiring a Senior Tax Specialist to join a leading diversified group based in Dubai. This position focuses heavily on UAE VAT compliance and advisory (80%), with additional involvement in corporate and international tax matters. The ideal candidate will play a key role in overseeing VAT operations, ensuring compliance, managing audits and disputes, and advising internal stakeholders on tax-related matters. Client Details Our client is a highly respected and diversified conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, with operations across sectors such as automotive, real estate, and retail. The group is known for maintaining strong corporate governance and is committed to compliance, innovation, and excellence in financial practices. Description VAT Compliance & Reporting: * Review and consolidate VAT returns for group entities to ensure accuracy and timely submissions in accordance with UAE VAT regulations. * Maintain a central VAT return calendar and manage VAT filings across entities. * Conduct post-filing reviews to identify improvement areas. Advisory & Analysis: * Provide advisory support and practical VAT solutions to internal stakeholders. * Conduct VAT impact assessments for new initiatives and review contracts to ensure correct VAT treatment and efficiency. VAT Registration & Compliance: * Assess VAT registration requirements for new entities and manage the process. * Monitor regulatory changes and ensure group compliance with evolving UAE VAT laws. Tax Group Management: * Assist with the management and structuring of the VAT tax group, including adding/removing members. FTA Audit & Disputes: * Support VAT audits and disputes with the FTA, including documentation, appeals, and correspondence. ERP Integration & Collaboration with IT: * Collaborate with IT teams to embed VAT compliance into ERP systems and support VAT automation initiatives. Regulatory Compliance: * Ensure adherence to UAE regulations, including ESR, AML, FATCA, and CRS, overseeing accurate filings and reporting. * Training & Process Improvement: * Conduct training sessions on VAT compliance and best practices. * Identify and implement process improvements to enhance VAT compliance and reduce tax risk. Corporate Tax: * Support corporate tax compliance, filing, and reporting as per UAE laws. * Contribute to tax planning and initiatives aimed at managing the group's Effective Tax Rate (ETR). * Manage tax provisions and provide advisory support on corporate tax matters. Performance Expectations: * Achieve timely, error-free VAT compliance across all entities. * Proactively resolve VAT queries and provide valuable internal support. * Manage FTA audits with minimal risk exposure. * Lead VAT system enhancements and internal training programs. * Gain positive feedback from internal stakeholders for advisory quality and effectiveness. Job Offer * Competitive salary and benefits * Opportunity to work with a well-known and diversified group in Dubai * Strategic, high-visibility role within the finance and tax team * Exposure to a broad range of tax disciplines and business operations * A dynamic environment with ongoing opportunities for learning and development

* Minimum 5 years of experience in UAE VAT compliance, advisory, and audit/dispute management * In-depth knowledge of UAE VAT laws and FTA procedures * Experience in a corporate or consulting tax environment * Strong advisory, communication, and problem-solving skills * Proficient in MS Office and ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar) * Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally, especially with finance and IT * Strong tax technical expertise across VAT and broader corporate tax * Strategic mindset with a track record of managing concurrent initiatives * Self-motivated, proactive, commercially astute, and results-driven