VAT Automation & AI Innovation Lead

RSM UK; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 Days Holiday (with option to buy)

Hybrid working

Lifestyle, Health & Wellbeing benefits

Individual healthcare cover

Access to 300+ courses

Job summary

RSM UK is seeking a VAT Automation Manager within our GVCR team to lead automation across the VAT return preparation and compliance process. You will work closely with VAT, delivery and technology groups to translate business needs into practical automation and data-driven solutions.

This role blends VAT process expertise with data science, analytics and hands-on technology to improve efficiency, accuracy and controls, while exploring AI and low-code tools to future-proof the VAT function.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of VAT compliance and VAT return processes.
• Strong technical and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Experience delivering automation within a finance, tax, compliance or professional services environment.
• Experience working with IT, technology or development teams.
• Ability to understand an existing process, identify inefficiencies and translate them into automation requirements.
• Experience applying data science, data modelling, analytics or scripting techniques to improve tax and compliance processes.
• Strong interest in AI and emerging technologies, with the ability to identify practical use cases and take ownership where appropriate.
• Comfortable working hands-on with technology and troubleshooting issues when required.
• Strong practical understanding of automation tools and methods, including Alteryx and comparable workflow, analytics, AI or low-code technologies.
• Experience with Alteryx or similar workflow/data automation platforms would be advantageous.
• Good understanding of data flows, data quality, system integrations and automated controls.
• Strong project and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing or coaching people, allocating work, reviewing outputs and developing team capability.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement and move initiatives forward with limited supervision.
• Ability to manage multiple automation initiatives and prioritise based on business impact.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly around data integrity and process controls.
• Ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical VAT and business stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Owning and driving the automation strategy across the VAT return preparation and compliance process.
• Identifying manual, repetitive or inefficient activities and assess opportunities to automate or streamline them.
• Working closely with VAT teams to understand existing processes, pain points and requirements and translate these into practical automation solutions.
• Taking ownership of automation projects from initial requirements through to implementation and ongoing support.
• Keeping up to date with AI and emerging technologies and identify practical opportunities where these could support the VAT process, taking ownership of relevant initiatives where required.
• Leading, coaching and managing team members involved in automation delivery, supporting capability development and ensuring work is delivered to appropriate quality standards.
• Operating with a high degree of autonomy, proactively identifying priorities, managing delivery risks and progressing automation initiatives without close day‑to‑day supervision.

Skills

VAT compliance

Automation

Data science

IT collaboration

Alteryx

Low-code

Data modeling

Analytics

AI

Troubleshooting

Data quality

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Independent work

Automation strategy

Tools

Alteryx

Job description

RSM UK is seeking a VAT Automation Manager within our GVCR team to lead automation across the VAT return preparation and compliance process. You will work closely with VAT, delivery and technology groups to translate business needs into practical automation and data-driven solutions.

This role blends VAT process expertise with data science, analytics and hands-on technology to improve efficiency, accuracy and controls, while exploring AI and low-code tools to future-proof the VAT function.