VAT Manager

Cielo; Wrocław; On-site; PLN 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Cielo in Poland is establishing a brand-new Finance function and seeking a VAT Manager to build and lead the VAT team from the ground up. You will drive compliance, reporting, and VAT strategy across multiple markets while shaping the VAT operating model with Finance and business stakeholders.

You will manage VAT audits, optimise processes, and oversee ERP-based VAT controls, reporting, and automation. Fluent English and European exposure are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Tax, or related field; ACCA/CPA/CTA or local equivalents are a plus.
• 6–12+ years of experience in VAT, Indirect Tax, Accounting, Audit, or a related finance function.
• Hands-on experience in VAT accounting, compliance, and reporting.
• Strong understanding of the end-to-end VAT process from ledger to return.
• Experience across multiple jurisdictions, preferably within Europe.
• Excel skills and ERP experience; SAP is highly desirable.
• Previous people management or team leadership experience.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Fluent English; additional European language skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead VAT compliance and reporting across multiple European and international markets.
• Oversee VAT ledger analysis, reconciliations, balance checks, and VAT returns.
• Ensure correct VAT treatment across transaction types and exemptions.
• Lead VAT audits across jurisdictions and liaise with tax authorities.
• Partner with Finance, Tax, Accounting, AP/AR to validate transactions and resolve VAT issues.
• Collaborate with internal/external advisers to ensure compliant VAT treatments.
• Build, lead, and develop a VAT team; onboarding and knowledge transfer.
• Establish and improve VAT processes, controls, and procedures.
• Drive SAP-based VAT and tax process improvements.
• Support VAT rate changes, new business models, and ERP changes.
• Work with Finance to ensure VAT treatment and recovery of expenses.
• Oversee VAT return preparation and identify reporting improvements.
• Assess opportunities for VAT automation and digitalisation initiatives.
• Drive standardisation, automation, and continuous VAT improvement.

Skills

VAT accounting

Regulatory compliance

Financial reporting

Excel

Stakeholder management

People leadership

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Tax

ACCA/CPA/CTA or local equivalents

Tools

SAP

Job description

Build something from the ground up.

Cielo is partnering, on a confidential basis, with a global organisation to hire a VAT Manager into a brand-new Finance team in Poland.

This is a unique opportunity to join a newly established function, build and lead a VAT team, and help shape how indirect tax is managed across multiple international markets.

If you enjoy combining strong VAT expertise with people leadership, process improvement, and technology transformation, this could be an exciting opportunity to make an impact from day one.

What you'll be doing

• Lead VAT compliance and reporting across multiple European and international markets.
• Oversee VAT ledger analysis, reconciliations, balance checks, and preparation of VAT returns and supporting documentation.
• Ensure appropriate VAT treatment across different transaction types, including standard, reduced and zero rates, exemptions, and country-specific requirements.
• Lead and support VAT audits across multiple jurisdictions, including engagement with tax authorities where required.
• Partner closely with Finance, Tax, Accounting, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and local Finance stakeholders to validate transactions and resolve VAT-related issues.
• Work with internal and external tax advisers to ensure agreed VAT treatments are implemented accurately and compliantly.
• Build, lead, and develop a team, including onboarding, coaching, knowledge transfer, and establishing effective ways of working.
• Establish and improve VAT processes, controls, and operating procedures as the new function develops.
• Drive the use and continuous improvement of SAP-based VAT and tax processes.
• Support VAT rate changes, new business models, and changes to VAT treatment within the ERP environment.
• Partner with Finance teams to ensure appropriate VAT treatment and recovery of business expenses.
• Oversee VAT return preparation and identify opportunities to improve reporting, reconciliation, and submission processes.
• Assess opportunities for VAT automation and return-generation technology.
• Support European tax digitalisation and e-invoicing initiatives.
• Drive process standardisation, automation, and continuous improvement across the VAT function.

What you'll bring

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Tax, or a related field; professional qualifications such as ACCA, CPA, CTA, or local equivalent are a plus.
• 6–12+ years of experience in VAT, Indirect Tax, Accounting, Audit, or a related finance function.
• Strong hands‑on experience in VAT accounting, compliance, and reporting.
• Strong understanding of the end‑to‑end VAT process, from VAT ledger preparation and reconciliation through to VAT return submission.
• Experience working across multiple jurisdictions, preferably within Europe.
• Strong accounting foundation with a genuine interest in indirect tax, technology, and continuous improvement.
• Experience supporting VAT audits and tax authority interactions.
• Strong Excel skills and experience working within an ERP environment; SAP is highly desirable.
• Previous people management or team leadership experience, with the ability to build a team from the ground up.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Fluent English; additional European language skills are a plus.

Why it's a great move

A greenfield Finance function, the opportunity to build and lead a VAT team from the ground up, international VAT exposure, and significant scope to influence process, technology, and automation. You'll have the opportunity to shape the VAT operating model from the beginning while working closely with Finance, Tax, and business stakeholders across multiple markets.