R&D Tax Director

Blick Rothenberg Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

30 days annual leave + bank holidays

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Employee discount platform

Cycle-to-work scheme

Job summary

Blick Rothenberg Limited is recruiting a Director to head up the R&D practice on a fixed-term basis during maternity leave. The successful candidate will oversee the end‑to‑end R&D tax advisory lifecycle, working with engineers, software specialists and tax professionals to maximise compliant relief for clients.

The role requires deep knowledge of UK R&D legislation, strong leadership, and the ability to manage high‑value engagements from inception through to HMRC submissions, while developing

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience, with minimum 2 years in a Director role.
• Advanced technical understanding of UK R&D tax legislation, including the merged scheme and HMRC requirements.
• Significant experience preparing and reviewing complex R&D tax claims and narratives.
• Ability to lead client discussions to understand technologies and processes.
• Proven experience drafting and reviewing high‑quality technical reports and advising on complex R&D tax matters.
• Strong leadership, coaching and cross‑disciplinary collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead client engagements as primary contact for high‑value R&D projects.
• Oversee robust, compliant R&D tax relief claims meeting HMRC guidance and BR standards.
• Guide strategic assignments and complex technical queries with Directors and Partners.
• Identify opportunities and contribute to growth via networking, referrals, and proposals.

Skills

R&D tax expertise

Leadership

UK tax legislation

Project management

Communication

Strategic planning

Job description

About Us

Blick Rothenberg is a leading tax, accountancy, and business advisory firm founded on personal integrity and technical expertise. Our partner-led approach ensures clients receive excellent service from high-quality teams who combine skill with integrity. We take the time to understand our clients’ businesses and invest in long-term relationships to provide the best possible service.

To bring this ethos to life, we have articulated our approach through our values: Collaboration, Authenticity, Respect, and being Dynamic. You can read more about our values here.

The role

We are looking for a strong Director to join on a fixed term contract to head up our R&D practice whilst the Partner is on maternity leave.

Our R&D Tax team works with innovative businesses across a wide range of sectors, helping them navigate the increasingly complex R&D tax landscape. We combine technical tax expertise with deep sector knowledge, supported by specialists including engineers, software consultants and an ex-HMRC inspector. This allows us to prepare robust, compliant R&D claims and provide high-quality advisory support throughout the full lifecycle of an R&D engagement.

Joining the team means working closely with clients to understand their technologies, processes and innovation, analysing technical and financial information, drafting clear supporting narratives, and helping ensure clients receive the relief they are entitled to. As the R&D regime continues to evolve, you will play an important role in helping clients stay compliant while maximising opportunities.

"We are looking for someone who is passionate about innovation and enjoys working with both technical and financial detail. You’ll be joining a collaborative, highly skilled team committed to delivering robust, high-quality R&D advice and building trusted client relationships." - Ele, Partner, R&D Tax

Get a real insight into life at Blick Rothenberg - hear from our teams, see how we work together, and discover what makes our culture unique. See more - Our Culture - Blick Rothenberg.

Inclusion and Diversity

We are committed to:

• Celebrating individuality and recognising the power of diverse perspectives
• Providing equitable opportunities for growth and success
• Holding ourselves accountable for making meaningful change together

We are a Disability Confident committed employer. Learn more about our Inclusion and Diversity approach here.

Blick Rothenberg is part of Azets, an award-winning firm of accountants and business advisors operating across the UK, Nordics, and the USA. Azets is a family of over 6,500 employees and has experienced significant growth in recent years, making it the 9th largest accountancy firm in the UK.

Key accountabilities

Client Relationship Management

• Lead client engagements, acting as the primary point of contact for high-value and technically complex R&D projects.
• Build long-term client relationships rooted in trust, expertise and proactive communication.
• Work closely with Directors and Partners on strategic assignments and complex technical queries.

Compliance & Advisory

• Oversee the preparation and review of robust, compliant R&D tax relief claims, ensuring alignment with HMRC guidance and BR quality standards.
• Lead technical and financial analysis to produce high-quality narratives, cost breakdowns and supporting documentation.
• Provide senior input into complex advisory projects, such as R&D process reviews, additional information submissions, or HMRC enquiry support.
• Stay ahead of changes to R&D legislation, including the merged scheme and administrative reforms, and brief the team accordingly.

Business Development & Planning

• Identify new opportunities and contribute to the firm’s growth through networking, referrals and proposal support.
• Lead internal knowledge-sharing, training and process improvements within the R&D team.
• Support Partners in developing the R&D service line and driving practice strategy.

Skills & Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience, with minimum 2 years in a Director role.
• Advanced technical understanding of UK R&D tax legislation, including the merged scheme, RDEC principles and HMRC’s evolving reporting requirements.
• Significant experience preparing and reviewing complex R&D tax claims, with the ability to quality-assure both technical narratives and financial analyses.
• Ability to confidently lead client discussions to understand technologies, innovation processes and qualifying R&D activities.
• Proven experience drafting and reviewing high-quality technical reports and advising on complex R&D tax matters.
• Strong capability to work across diverse technical environments, collaborating effectively with specialists such as engineers, software experts and scientific teams.
• Excellent project management skills, ensuring compliant, risk‑managed delivery across multiple client engagements.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret and challenge complex technical and financial information.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with experience coaching junior staff and supporting team development.

Other

What’s in it for you?

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all rules. Instead, we have BRighter Working, a flexible framework that helps our people work in ways that create the best experience for them and their teams, while continuing to deliver outstanding service to our clients.

• Hybrid working: Teams collaborate across multiple locations - BR offices, client sites, home, or elsewhere.
• Smarter working: Find simpler, more efficient ways to deliver services, supported by tech or process improvements.
• Flexible working: Temporary or permanent adjustments to your working pattern, beyond the standard contract.

Our Benefits At a Glance

• Pension: Looking after your future self when it’s time to step back and relax.
• 30 days annual leave + bank holidays: Time to focus on you.
• Financial security: Life assurance, free mortgage advice, financial coaching.
• Health & wellbeing: Private medical insurance (eligibility applies), 24/7 GP access, mental health support, eye care, flu vaccinations.
• Lifestyle perks: Employee discount platform, holiday trading, cycle-to-work scheme, home & tech purchase scheme, electric vehicle leasing, season ticket loan.
• Additional cover options: Critical illness cover, travel insurance, dental insurance, health assessments.
• Giving back: Charitable donations via payroll.