Job reference 335321 Head of VAT Competitive salary plus £5,500 car allowance, full family healthcare, 18% annual bon us potential, 27.5 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising with service and a company pension scheme with highly competitive contribution rates Permanent, Full time This role operates on a hybrid basis, with two days per week based at our London office (185 Farringdon Road). Join the Group Finance team at International Distribution Services (IDS). This is a pivotal function that partners with Royal Mail’s Finance team to drive performance and deliver strategic financial insights. Be part of a team that shapes decisions and supports the success of one of the UK’s most iconic organisations. Are you an experienced qualified VAT specialist with outstanding leadership skills and extensive compliance expertise? If so, we’d love to hear from you. We’re recruiting a Head of VAT to join our Group Tax function at Royal Mail. Royal Mail is an iconic and trusted brand, and with significant new investment from EP Group, this is an exciting time to join the business. The role offers the opportunity to operate within a complex and evolving tax landscape, shaped by our unique operating model and regulatory environment. This is a high‑profile position, providing the chance to lead VAT strategy and compliance across the UK Group while influencing key stakeholders and supporting the business through a period of transformation and growth. About the Role Reporting to the Director of Indirect Tax, you will lead all UK VAT activities, covering compliance, planning and advisory matters. You will also: • Lead the preparation, review and submission of UK VAT returns, including partial exemption special method calculations • Provide technical VAT advice across the UK Group, including new products, income streams, transactions and regulatory developments • Support business projects, including IT and ERP initiatives, to ensure compliance and deliver VAT efficiencies • Identify and implementing tax technology solutions to enhance VAT compliance and reporting • Manage relationships with tax authorities, advisers and business partners • Lead and develop the VAT team, providing clear direction and working closely with UK business partners involved in VAT reporting About You You will bring: • Strong technical VAT and analytical skills, with the ability to lead compliance and reporting in a partial exemption environment • ACA, CTA or equivalent professional qualification, with a minimum of seven years’ senior VAT experience • A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities • Excellent communication skills, with confidence engaging stakeholders at all levels • A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to influence, drive change and improve processes, systems and ways of working Extra Benefits • Family friendly support - enhanced maternity pay, paternity leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave • Discounts and offers - there are more than 800 offers to help you save on things like groceries, days out, holidays and your household bills*. • Supportive and generous company sick pay • Your Wellbeing - you and your family have 24/7 access to services and tools to help you get the most out of life. From your physical and mental health to financial and social support and advice. It’s free, and it’s for everyone. *Available only to perm employees Next Steps The next stage of the selection process will be an initial call then a face to face interview consisting of competency based and role specific questions. Trust is the foun dation of Royal Mail. We aim to be transparent about the qualities we seek and what a career with us entails, building trust from the start of your journey with us. Your interview is the first step, and we want you to shine. To help you prepare, we’ll provide your interview questions in advance, so you can have your best examples ready. At Royal Mail Group, we value trust and our people. We understand that candidates may not meet all the criteria for the role. If your experience is different, but you have relevant skills we’d love to hear from you. Royal Mail Group is committed to inclusion and representing the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals. As a proud Gold signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we especially encourage applications from the Armed Forces community, including cadet instructors and spouses/partners. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to support you during the hiring process, please discuss these with your recruiter when contacted. We are Forces family friendly and a Gold signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from ex-Armed Forces personnel, reservists, veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners. For more information on Royal Mail Group and our values please click here: https://www.internationaldistributionsservices.com/en/about-us/ Closing Date: Sunday 15th February. Please note, this advert may close early if the appropriate number of applications has been reached. LI-Hybrid LI-POST LIMRT