VAT Associate Director

Ambition; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Life assurance

Hybrid work

Generous holidays

Professional development

Wellbeing benefits

Referral bonus

Job summary

Ambition in London is seeking a Senior VAT Manager to lead a growing VAT practice within our professional services firm. You will manage a diverse client portfolio, deliver compliance and advisory work, and collaborate with senior leaders to drive value.

You will mentor junior staff, identify upsell opportunities, and participate in business development while maintaining high standards of client service and compliance with VAT regulations.

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA, CTA or equivalent professional qualification.
• Significant VAT experience gained within practice, industry, or a combination of both.
• Strong technical VAT knowledge with ability to advise on complex issues.
• Experience managing a portfolio of clients and overseeing multiple assignments.
• Proven track record of building and maintaining client relationships.
• People management experience, including coaching and performance management.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Commercial awareness and interest in contributing to business growth.
• Confidence dealing with senior stakeholders both internally and externally.

Responsibilities

• Deliver both VAT compliance and advisory services to a portfolio of clients.
• Act as a trusted adviser to clients navigating complex VAT issues.
• Lead and support technically challenging consultancy assignments.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships; identify growth opportunities.
• Take ownership of service delivery, ensuring high-quality work within timescales.
• Develop junior team members through coaching and mentoring.
• Collaborate with tax and advisory colleagues to deliver integrated solutions.
• Contribute to business development and market engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationship management

Project management

Commercial awareness

Communication skills

Mentoring / coaching

Stakeholder management

Education

ACA/ACCA/CTA or equivalent

Job description

Are you looking to take the next step in your VAT career with a growing professional services firm? This is an opportunity to join an established VAT team where you'll work closely with a diverse client base, lead complex advisory projects, and play a key role in developing both clients and colleagues.

You'll manage your own portfolio of clients, provide technical VAT advice across a range of sectors, and work alongside senior leadership to identify opportunities for growth. The role offers a strong mix of advisory work, client relationship management, team leadership, and business development.

The Role

As a Senior VAT Manager, you will:

• Manage a portfolio of VAT clients, delivering both compliance and advisory services.
• Act as a trusted adviser to clients, helping them navigate complex VAT issues and wider commercial challenges.
• Lead and support technically challenging consultancy and advisory assignments.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, identifying opportunities to expand services and add value.
• Take ownership of client service delivery, ensuring work is completed to a high standard and within agreed timescales.
• Support and develop junior team members through coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Collaborate with colleagues across tax and advisory teams to deliver joined-up client solutions.
• Contribute to business development activities, networking initiatives, and profile-raising opportunities.
• Help generate new business through existing client relationships, referrals, and market engagement.
• Ensure compliance with relevant professional standards, internal procedures, and tax legislation.

About You

You'll ideally have:

• ACA, ACCA, CTA or equivalent professional qualification.
• Significant VAT experience gained within practice, industry, or a combination of both.
• Strong technical VAT knowledge with the ability to advise on complex issues.
• Experience managing a portfolio of clients and overseeing multiple assignments simultaneously.
• A proven track record of building and maintaining client relationships.
• Previous people management experience, including coaching and developing junior team members.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Commercial awareness and an interest in contributing to business growth.
• Confidence dealing with senior stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Excellent communication skills and a client-focused approach.

What's On Offer

In return, you can expect:

• Exposure to a broad range of VAT advisory and compliance work.
• The opportunity to work directly with senior decision-makers and business owners.
• A clear route for career progression within a growing tax practice.
• A collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Competitive salary and bonus potential.
• Private healthcare and life assurance.
• Excellent holiday allowance, with options to purchase additional leave.
• Ongoing professional development and leadership training.
• A range of additional lifestyle and wellbeing benefits.

• If this job isn't quite right for you, but you know someone who would be great at this role, why not take advantage of our referral scheme? We offer £200 in shopping vouchers for every referred candidate who we place in a role. Terms & Conditions Apply. https://www.ambition.co.uk/refer-a-friend

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced VAT professional who enjoys building client relationships, developing people, and delivering high-quality technical advice while playing a meaningful role in the continued growth of a successful tax practice.