Manager, R&D Claim Enquiry & Resolution

EmpowerRD; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-growing FinTech company in London is seeking a Manager, R&D Claim Enquiry & Resolution Lead to oversee R&D tax credit enquiries and ensure compliance with HMRC guidelines. The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of experience in UK R&D Tax Relief, strong project management skills, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments. The role requires excellent communication skills and a strategic approach to dispute resolution, with a focus on continuous process improvement.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday allowance

Pension contribution

Private healthcare

Commitment to continuous professional development

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in UK R&D Tax Relief with exposure to HMRC enquiries.
• Understanding of R&D tax legislation and DSIT guidelines.
• Experience in managing high-volume case portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end HMRC R&D tax credit enquiries portfolio.
• Develop and implement enquiry defence strategies.
• Lead correspondence and negotiations with HMRC caseworkers.

Skills

Technical tax knowledge

Project management

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Education

Relevant professional qualification (CTA, ACA, ACCA, ATT)

Job description

Job Specification: Manager, R&D Claim Enquiry & Resolution Lead

Job Title & Details

• Job Title: Manager, R&D Claim Enquiry & Resolution
• Location: London, GB (Hybrid: 2 days per week in office)
• Department: Claim Delivery & Compliance
• Reporting To: Head of Tax or Director of Claims
• Employment Type: Full‑Time

About EmpowerRD

EmpowerRD is a fast‑growing FinTech company blending cutting‑edge technology with deep tax and accountancy expertise. Our vision is to become the global leader in funding and rewards for innovation. We partner with the UK's most innovative businesses, from early‑stage tech startups to large enterprises, simplifying the complex process of claiming R&D Tax Credits. We believe technology should enhance the expertise of our people, driving simplicity, speed, and predictability for our clients.

The Role: R&D Claim Enquiry Manager

This is a critical, high‑impact role responsible for safeguarding the claims of our innovative client base against HMRC compliance checks. You will operate as the central point of expertise for all R&D claim enquiries, ensuring professional, timely, and successful resolution. You will be instrumental in turning enquiry challenges into proactive learning, continuously refining our claims processes and product to maintain industry‑leading standards of compliance and quality.

The ideal candidate possesses exceptional technical tax knowledge, strong project management capabilities, and proven negotiation skills in a challenging regulatory environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Enquiry Portfolio Management & Resolution

• Manage the end‑to‑end portfolio of all active HMRC R&D tax credit enquiries, ensuring all statutory deadlines and internal SLAs are met.
• Develop, implement, and execute robust enquiry defence strategies for complex claims, focusing on technical and financial justifications in line with UK R&D legislation (CTA 2009/HMRC Guidelines).
• Own and lead direct written and verbal correspondence and negotiations with HMRC caseworkers (ISBC/WMBC/Large Business Compliance Teams) to achieve timely and favourable closure notices.
• Review and quality‑assure all documentation and supporting evidence (technical narratives, project costing, payroll, contracts) provided to HMRC to ensure it is clear, comprehensive, and addresses specific compliance risks.

2. Expert Resource Management

• Manage and cultivate a flexible bank of external expert contractors (e.g., specialist engineers, sector‑specific consultants, legal counsel) who can provide specialised technical evidence and support during enquiries.
• Define scopes of work, manage budgets, and oversee the output of all third‑party experts to ensure their contribution aligns with the overall resolution strategy.

3. Process Improvement & Knowledge Transfer

• Lead the internal feedback loop by analysing trends, common errors, HMRC concerns, and legislative risks identified during enquiries.
• Develop and deliver training sessions to the Claim Delivery and Sales teams, embedding new learnings and best practices back into our claims process and technology product.
• Proactively refine and update internal methodology and technical guidance to mitigate future enquiry risk and ensure all new claims are resilient and compliant.
• Support in reviewing technical narratives of ongoing claims to align with enquiry learnings.

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience (3+ years) in UK R&D Tax Relief, with significant exposure to managing and successfully resolving HMRC enquiries or compliance checks.
• Strong technical understanding of R&D tax legislation (including SME and RDEC schemes) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) guidelines on R&D for tax purposes.
• Demonstrable experience in managing complex projects or a high‑volume case portfolio simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, specifically the ability to articulate complex technical and financial concepts to both HMRC and non‑tax professionals.
• Strong commercial acumen and a pragmatic approach to dispute resolution.

Desirable Skills

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g., CTA, ACA, ACCA, ATT, or equivalent).
• Experience working in a FinTech or technology‑driven environment, or strong enthusiasm for leveraging technology to improve tax compliance.
• Experience in contractor/vendor management.

Our Ways of Working & Benefits

• Culture: We value versatility, collaboration, and a growth mindset. You will be encouraged to contribute ideas that shape the future of our product and processes beyond your core role.
• Working Environment: Modern, collaborative office space in Central London (Old Street), promoting a minimum of two days per week in the office to foster team collaboration and culture.
• Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, pension contribution, private healthcare, and a commitment to continuous professional development.