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.