Senior Legal Interpretation VAT Specialist

HMRC; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking a Senior Legal Interpretation VAT Specialist in Belfast. This role involves leading teams on VAT compliance strategies while managing key risks and fostering stakeholder relationships. Candidates should have substantial VAT experience and relevant qualifications, with opportunities for hybrid working, generous leave, and personal development support.

Benefits

Flexible and hybrid working policies

Generous leave allowance

Pension contributions of at least 28.97%

Personal support and coaching options

Qualifications

• Substantial VAT-specific experience in a professional tax environment.
• Proven track record of leading teams in VAT legal interpretation.
• Ability to manage complex VAT risks and develop compliance strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams to address key VAT LI risks and drive compliance strategies.
• Build collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders across HMRC.
• Manage sensitive and challenging reputational issues effectively.

Skills

VAT-specific experience

Technical leadership

Strategic thinking

Strong communication skills

Education

CTA (CIOT) or equiv.

Full Legal Qualification

Job description

Senior Legal Interpretation VAT Specialist

This is a high-profile Grade 7 LI VAT Specialist role within HMRC and is a chance for you to add value to LB’s strategy to tackle VAT legal interpretation. The role requires strategic and commercial thinking, and technical capability to help influence and develop compliance approaches to address areas of LI VAT risk. You will provide technical leadership and support to colleagues regionally, nationally, and at customer level. Highly confident and credible, you’ll share your knowledge, expertise, experience, and skills gained in a senior VAT professional environment with senior stakeholders across HMRC. Successful candidates will also be encouraged to develop their VAT knowledge and leadership skills through relevant and appropriate learning opportunities within HMRC.Please see employer website for full job details & person specification.

Responsibilities

• Leading teams to address key VAT LI risks and driving forward other technical VAT risks identified by LB CCMs, National and Regional VAT Regime Leads, and Strand Leads.
• Play a significant role in the development and delivery of VAT compliance strategies with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain effective collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders across Customer Compliance Group (CCG) and other HMRC Directorates.
• Work closely with CCG colleagues to ensure alignment between HMRC risk strategies in terms of risk prioritisation, governance and reporting, and to provide technical leadership.
• Positively interact and influence behaviours internally and externally, to identify LI VAT risks and develop appropriate responses.
• Set clear direction and communicating in an honest, confident, and consistent way to build trust both internally and externally.
• Carefully manage complex, sensitive, and potentially challenging reputational issues.
• The ability to prioritise and deliver high quality work. Being able to consider all options, make sound decisions in uncertain circumstances and be accountable for them.
• Positively leading change, being flexible and able to move to, or lead on, new work or projects at short notice. Leading colleagues through the reasons for, and effects of, change, providing support and clarity where needed.
• Occasional travel and overnight stays will be required with this role.

Skills and Qualifications

• Applicants must have ONE of the following:CTA (CIOT).AIIT (including paper 4) or membership qualification (ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI).CIPFA.CIMA.ACCA.ADIT.Post Grad Full Legal Qualification in Taxation matters.
• For previous/existing HMRC Employees, TSP or predecessor Qualification (IDP/TPDP); In Oct 23, a decision was made applicants for G7 Tax Professional roles must have successfully completed Tax Specialist Programme or hold equivalent qualification.
• All applicants are expected to clearly demonstrate their suitability against the essential criteria within both their application and any subsequent interview.
• Substantial VAT-specific experience in a professional tax environment with demonstrated expertise in complex VAT legal interpretation, legislation analysis, and case law application.
• Proven track record of leading teams and providing technical leadership to colleagues at various levels, including experience managing sensitive or reputational issues requiring careful stakeholder management.
• Strong capability in identifying, assessing, and managing complex VAT risks whilst developing and implementing innovative compliance strategies with measurable outcomes and continuous improvement focus.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders, influence decision-making, and communicate complex technical VAT matters clearly to diverse audiences both internally and externally.
• Strategic and commercial thinking capabilities with proven ability to work effectively under pressure, manage multiple competing priorities, and make sound decisions in uncertain circumstances regarding tax interpretation matters.

Further Information

Benefits: HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues’ Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary. Family friendly policies. Personal support. Coaching and development.What we offer: At HMRC, we care about our people and their work-life balance. We offer a 37-hourworking week with the option of hybrid working, allow you to work both from the office and from home. We also offer flexitime, giving you the freedom to manage your working hours to suit your lifestyle. We provide excellent holiday entitlement, giving you the time you need to relax and recharge. We care about the well-being of our employees and offer a range of support and resources to help you look after your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.We will support you as you move to HMRC and offer on-the-job training and development to help you achieve your career goals. We are a large organisation, so there are many opportunities to change roles and advance your career.

Area: Derry or Londonderry
Closing date: 06 Nov 2025

Area: All of Northern Ireland
Closing date: 07 Nov 2025