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**Hiring Now! VAT Manager - Europe**
Job Title: VAT Manager - Europe
Company: Leading Global Fashion & Clothing Business
Location: London (Hybrid)
Type: Full Time, Permanent
Start Date: ASAP, subject to notice period
Salary: Up to £90,000, depending on experience, plus a competitive bonus scheme and benefits
About Us
We are a global fashion and clothing business, supplying online retailers, high street retailers, marketplaces, and distributors with premium and lifestyle brands. As we continue to scale, we’re looking for a VAT Manager to take ownership of indirect tax compliance and strategy across our European operations. This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-paced, high-growth business where you can drive real impact.
Role Overview
This is a standalone leadership role responsible for all VAT and indirect tax matters across multiple markets. You’ll be the go-to expert for stakeholders across finance, operations, and commercial teams, ensuring compliance while identifying opportunities for efficiency and optimization. The role requires a mix of technical expertise, commercial awareness, and problem-solving to support the business in a constantly evolving tax landscape.
Key Responsibilities:
- Indirect Tax Compliance: Oversee the preparation, review, and submission of VAT returns and other indirect tax filings across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring full compliance with UK and European regulations.
- Advisory & Strategy: Provide expert guidance on VAT matters, advising on transactions, business structures, and tax planning opportunities.
- Tax Risk Management: Monitor regulatory changes, assess potential risks, and ensure the business remains compliant with evolving VAT legislation.
- Process Improvement: Identify and implement efficiencies in tax reporting and compliance processes, leveraging technology where appropriate.
- Financial Accuracy: Ensure VAT-related entries in financial statements are accurate and compliant with accounting standards.
- HMRC & External Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for HMRC and external advisors, managing audits, queries, and negotiations effectively.
- Collaboration: Work closely with finance, operations, and external tax partners to align VAT strategy with wider business goals.
- ERP & Systems Oversight: Ensure VAT setup within the ERP system is correct and maintained for accuracy.
- Support Other Tax Areas: Assist in areas such as corporate tax, employment taxes, and capital allowances where needed.
Our Ideal Candidate:
- CTA, ACA, or ACCA qualified (or equivalent) with significant hands-on experience in VAT and indirect tax compliance.
- Background in HMRC, practice, or in-house VAT management within a product-based environment (not service-based) is essential.
- Experience in fashion, retail, or consumer goods is highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of UK and European VAT regulations with a proactive approach to managing tax risks.
- Ability to work independently in a standalone leadership role while collaborating effectively with wider teams.
- Commercial mindset - able to translate tax complexities into practical business solutions.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, changing environment with multiple stakeholders.
- Strong systems knowledge, including ERP platforms (SAP preferred) and Excel.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to take full ownership of VAT strategy in a growing, dynamic global fashion and clothing business, we’d love to hear from you!
