Head of Professional Services

IPS Group; Rearsby; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A professional services consultancy is seeking a Head of Professional Services to oversee their IR35 consultancy offering in the UK. The role involves leading a dedicated team, providing senior client advisory services, and managing HMRC engagements. The ideal candidate is a qualified solicitor with strong expertise in employment tax and a history of driving commercial growth within a consultancy. This position offers a competitive salary and benefits, including hybrid working and a non-contributory pension.

Benefits

Hybrid working

Private medical

Non-contributory pension

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Wellbeing allowance

On-site parking

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with at least 5 years PQE.
• Experience with HMRC enquiries and employment status disputes.
• Strong technical expertise in related fields.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the Professional Services function.
• Provide senior-level guidance on employment status.
• Mentor and develop professional services staff.

Skills

Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)

Technical expertise in IR35 and off-payroll legislation

Strong stakeholder influence

Confident communication and presentation skills

Experience in tax litigation

Revenue growth support in consultancy

Education

5+ years PQE in employment tax or regulatory advisory

Job description

Job Title: Head of Professional Services Location: Leicestershire

Employment Type: Permanent

Reports To: Director of Professional Services

Direct Reports: 3

Salary: Competitive + Benefits

Overview This senior leadership role will take full ownership of the organisation’s employment status and IR35 consultancy offering. You will lead complex advisory engagements, defend enterprise clients in HMRC challenges, shape technical strategy, and drive commercial growth of the professional services division.

Key Responsibilities: Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and grow the Professional Services function, ensuring consistent delivery standards and commercial performance.
• Develop and refine advisory methodologies relating to IR35, off-payroll working and employment status.
• Define service roadmap in response to legislative and market changes.

Client Advisory & Defence

• Provide senior-level guidance to corporate clients on employment status and employment tax risks.
• Act as lead adviser in HMRC enquiries and contentious cases, defending clients and managing strategy.
• Serve as escalation point for complex client scenarios, providing confident, outcome-focused direction.

Operational & Team Development

• Mentor and develop professional services staff, delivering structured training and knowledge sessions.
• Oversee quality assurance of all written advice, technical reports and client communications.
• Support business development initiatives and represent the consultancy at industry events and forums.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with 5+ years PQE in employment tax, tax litigation, regulatory advisory, or related field.
• Strong technical expertise in IR35 and off-payroll legislation, with a record of advising organisations engaging contingent workers.
• Proven experience handling HMRC enquiries and employment status disputes.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical analysis into clear, commercial advice.
• Confident communicator with strong stakeholder influence and presentation skills.
• Experience supporting revenue growth within a consultancy or advisory environment.

Desirable

• Previous leadership of a professional services or consultancy function.
• Existing network across employment tax, workforce compliance or contingent labour supply-chain sector.
• Broader experience in PAYE, NIC, BIK, NMW, or termination payments.

Benefits

• Hybrid working
• Private medical
• Non-contributory pension
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Wellbeing allowance
• On-site parking