UK Head of VAT

Overview

Head of VAT - UK (Financial Services)

Location: London (Hybrid)

Sector: Global Financial Services

Package: Highly competitive + long-term incentive + benefits

A leading international financial services institution is seeking a UK Head of VAT to take ownership of its VAT strategy, governance and delivery across a complex, multi-entity operating model.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership role with genuine influence - shaping VAT policy, advising executive stakeholders, and acting as the technical authority for indirect tax across UK operations within a globally significant platform.

The Opportunity

You will lead all aspects of UK VAT, combining strategic oversight with hands-on technical leadership. The role sits at the intersection of tax, finance, risk, compliance and operations, giving the successful candidate real visibility and impact at group level.

This position offers:

• Strategic ownership of VAT for a major UK financial services platform
• Influence across product, structuring, transactions and change
• Exposure to international tax leadership and group tax governance
• A high-profile internal advisory role to senior stakeholders and the business

Key Responsibilities

• Full accountability for UK VAT strategy, compliance and governance
• Technical leadership on complex VAT issues (financial services exemption, partial exemption, VAT recovery models, outsourcing, transactions)
• Senior advisory support to finance, product, legal, operations and transformation teams
• Oversight of VAT risk management, controls and HMRC engagement
• Leading external advisor relationships
• Input into group tax policy and cross-border indirect tax matters

Profile Sought

• Senior VAT leader from financial services, banking, insurance, asset management or Big 4 FS tax advisory
• Deep technical VAT expertise in complex FS environments
• Proven experience operating at senior stakeholder / executive level
• Comfortable in both strategic leadership and technical delivery
• Strong governance, risk and regulatory mindset
• Credible authority in front of regulators, advisors and boards

Why This Role Stands Out

This is not a standard in-house VAT role. It's a true leadership position with scale, complexity and influence - ideal for someone who wants to move into a top-tier institutional environment and shape VAT at enterprise level rather than simply manage compliance.