Meraki Talent
VAT Director
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VAT Director
Location: Manchester
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
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.
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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.
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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.
- Collaboration: 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.
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