VAT Director

Meraki Talent; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Meraki Talent is partnering with a leading UK professional services and accountancy firm to appoint an experienced VAT Director to own the regional VAT capability.

This role offers autonomy, exposure to senior clients, and a clear pathway to Partner, with a focus on advisory work, client relationships, and business development. You will lead a regional VAT team, set technical standards, and collaborate across service lines to drive growth.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' VAT or Indirect Tax experience, in professional services.
• CTA qualification or equivalent experience.
• Strong leadership and client-management skills.
• Experience in International Trade understood.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior oversight of regional VAT activity across the region.
• Advise key clients with long-term and commercially valuable relationships.
• Deliver pragmatic, high-quality VAT advice across a broad range of sectors and industries.
• Advise clients on complex VAT and indirect tax matters, including International Trade.
• Identify opportunities to develop existing client relationships and generate new business.
• Lead, mentor and develop the regional VAT team, creating an environment for progression.
• Set and maintain high technical and professional standards across the team.
• Work with colleagues across service lines to deliver joined-up solutions for clients.
• Contribute to national VAT initiatives and collaborate with specialists across the business.
• Help shape the strategy, proposition and growth of the regional VAT offering.
• Take an active role in business development, proposals and winning new work.

Skills

VAT/Indirect Tax

Leadership

Business development

Client relationship management

Strategic planning

Education

CTA qualification

Job description

We are working with a leading UK professional services and accountancy firm that combines a strong regional presence with the resources, expertise and reach of a national organisation.

The firm has an established reputation for delivering high-quality tax, accounting and advisory services to a diverse client base, while maintaining a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture where senior professionals have genuine autonomy to shape their teams, services and client relationships.

As part of its continued growth, the firm is looking to appoint an experienced VAT Director to take ownership of a critical regional VAT capability.

This is a high-impact opportunity for an established VAT professional who is ready to take the next step in their career, with a clear pathway to Partner for the right individual.

The Opportunity

As VAT Director, you will provide senior leadership across the regional VAT offering, acting as a trusted advisor to key clients while helping to shape and grow the wider service.

You will have significant autonomy and the opportunity to influence the direction of the regional VAT practice, supported by a wider national network of specialists.

The role offers an exciting combination of technical VAT advisory work, senior client relationship management, team leadership and business development, making it particularly well suited to someone who wants to have a visible impact on the growth of a practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior oversight of VAT advice and activity across the region.
• Act as a trusted VAT advisor to a portfolio of key clients, developing long-term and commercially valuable relationships.
• Deliver pragmatic, high-quality VAT advice across a broad range of sectors and industries.
• Advise clients on complex VAT and wider indirect tax matters, including areas relating to International Trade.
• Identify opportunities to develop existing client relationships and generate new business.
• Lead, mentor and develop the regional VAT team, creating an environment where people can perform and progress.
• Set and maintain high technical and professional standards across the team.
• Work closely with colleagues across other service lines to identify opportunities and deliver joined-up solutions for clients.
• Contribute to wider national VAT initiatives and collaborate with specialists across the wider business.
• Help shape the strategy, proposition and future growth of the regional VAT offering.
• Take an active role in business development, networking, proposals and winning new work.

About You

We are looking for an established VAT/Indirect Tax professional with the technical credibility, leadership capability and commercial mindset to take ownership of a regional offering.

You will ideally bring:

• 8+ years' experience specialising in VAT or Indirect Tax, preferably gained within a professional services or established VAT practice.
• CTA qualification or equivalent experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK VAT and the wider indirect tax landscape.
• Experience and understanding of International Trade and related indirect tax considerations.
• The ability to translate complex technical VAT issues into clear, practical and commercially focused advice.
• A proven track record of developing and retaining strong client relationships.
• Previous experience leading, mentoring and developing tax professionals.
• Strong business development and commercial skills, with the confidence to identify and pursue opportunities.
• The ability to work collaboratively across different service lines and build relationships at senior levels.
• The ambition and drive to play a significant role in the growth of a regional VAT practice.

Why This Opportunity?

Partner Pathway

A genuine opportunity to progress to Partner as you grow your capability, client portfolio and impact across the business.

Ownership & Autonomy

Take responsibility for shaping and developing a regional VAT offering rather than simply inheriting an established structure.

National Support

Benefit from access to a wider network of VAT and indirect tax specialists, while retaining the autonomy to lead locally.

Leadership

Build, develop and influence a high-performing VAT team, with the opportunity to shape the team's future direction.

Work within an inclusive, low-hierarchy environment where collaboration across service lines is encouraged and ideas are valued.

Impact

This is a role where your contribution will be highly visible. You will have the opportunity to influence clients, people, service development and regional growth.

Interested?

If you're an experienced VAT professional looking for a senior leadership opportunity with genuine autonomy and a clear route to Partner, this could be an excellent next step.

For a confidential discussion about the opportunity, please get in touch.