Associate Director, VAT, Southampton, UK

Think Global; Southampton; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tax practice in Southampton is seeking a qualified VAT professional to lead their high-performing VAT team. This role offers a clear path to Partner, focusing on client advisory and team development within a supportive, flexible environment. Ideal candidates will hold a CTA qualification and have robust VAT advisory experience.

Benefits

Good salary

Benefits and career development support

Flexible, people-centred culture

Qualifications

• Solid VAT advisory expertise essential.
• Strong people leadership skills required.
• Ability to manage and develop Senior Managers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the VAT team.
• Manage client relationships and drive business development.
• Shape the future direction of the VAT practice.

Skills

VAT advisory expertise

People leadership

Client advisory and business development

Education

CTA qualification

Job description

Picture this: stepping into a brand-new, glass-fronted office with sweeping views of the harbour. A place where your morning coffee comes with the buzz of a thriving tax practice and the sea air drifting in from outside. Welcome to Southampton – one of the UK’s fastest-growing cities, with the coast, countryside, and London all within easy reach. This is a rare chance to take the lead of an established, high-performing VAT team in one of the country’s most successful tax practices. Why this role?

• Thrive in a Top Six Accountancy Practice – excellent reputation, clients, training and development
• A clear path to Partner – you’ll be trained and mentored directly by the current Head of VAT, with the intention of stepping into the leadership role yourself.
• A strong, established team – you’ll manage and develop experienced Senior Managers and an ambitious group of tax professionals who value support, collaboration, and progression.
• A growing practice – VAT is one of the firm’s fastest-developing service lines, and significant investment means you’ll have the backing and resources to keep building.
• Career-defining work – primarily advisory-focused, with an impressive portfolio spanning entrepreneurial businesses through to major multinationals.

What makes it different?

• You’ll be based in a modern office, across three floors, all recently refurbished with state-of-the-art collaboration spaces.
• The VAT team itself is around 30 strong – big enough for impact, small enough to feel like family.
• The firm is people-first: they’re investing in tech tools but not replacing their people with AI. Your expertise is valued.
• There’s no need to ‘fix’ the team, they’re already strong and stable. Your role is to lead, inspire, and take them to the next level.

Who we’re looking for

• CTA-qualified (essential), with solid VAT advisory expertise.
• Strong people leader, comfortable managing experienced Senior Managers and helping them progress.
• Someone who thrives on client advisory, business development, and building long-term relationships.
• Ambitious, with the drive to progress to Partner.

Package

• Good salary, benefits and career development support.
• Flexible, people-centred culture with four days in the Southampton office.

This is a standout opportunity for a VAT professional ready to step into leadership and shape the future of a practice that’s already leading the way

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