VAT Associate Director/Director
Employer Location Hampshire, England, Southampton Salary Competitive Salary plus Excellent Benefits Closing date 6 Mar 2026 View more categoriesView less categories Sector Salary band, ,, Contract type Hours Where will they be working You need to or to save a job.
Job Details
Are you an experienced VAT specialist ready for a role where you can genuinely influence clients, contribute strategically and shape your own career? Our client, a respected national advisory and accountancy firm, is looking for a commercially minded VAT Associate Director or Director to join their established and forward‑thinking Tax team.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with ambitious, entrepreneurial businesses - from fast‑growing start-ups and scale-ups to complex, multinational groups operating across borders.
The Opportunity
As a senior figure within the VAT practice, you'll take the lead on delivering high‑level advisory and compliance services across a diverse portfolio. You'll work closely with senior stakeholders, build trusted relationships, and provide pragmatic solutions to often complex indirect tax challenges.
You'll have the autonomy to develop your own approach, influence internal strategy and play a key role in shaping the team as it continues to grow. If you enjoy mentoring others and bringing out the best in your colleagues, you'll be given the platform to do exactly that.
What You'll Be Doing
1. Leading a wide range of strategic VAT advisory projects and resolving complex technical issues.
2. Managing a significant and varied client portfolio, ensuring first‑class service and compliance.
3. Spotting and developing new business opportunities, both within your network and the firm's existing relationships.
4. Driving and delivering large‑scale VAT engagements.
5. Coaching, developing and supporting junior team members.
6. Building strong, long‑lasting client relationships through clear, confident communication.
7. Contributing to the development and delivery of the firm's broader tax strategy.
About You
You'll be a proactive, commercially aware VAT specialist who enjoys solving problems and adding real value to clients. You're credible, calm under pressure and comfortable leading both people and projects.
What You'll Need
8. CTA and/or ACA (or equivalent) with solid post‑qualification experience.
9. Strong, up‑to‑date knowledge of VAT legislation and indirect tax trends.
10. A track record of managing a profitable client portfolio.
11. Experience leading complex engagements and managing teams.
12. Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
Why This Firm?
Our client prides themselves on offering a collaborative, flexible and genuinely people‑centred culture. You'll be joining a business where your ideas are welcomed, your development is prioritised and your contribution is recognised.
You can expect:
13. A clear pathway for progression at senior level.
14. The chance to work on high‑profile, diverse and technically stimulating projects.
15. A culture that encourages innovation, teamwork and knowledge sharing.
16. Modern, well‑designed collaboration spaces and the tools you need to thrive.
If you're looking for a role with real influence, autonomy and the opportunity to work with exciting, high‑growth businesses, this could be a brilliant next step.
What to Do Next
If you're interested, please click 'apply now' to send an up‑to‑date CV, or feel free to call Lorna Pilling directly on 07900 224915 for a confidential chat.
If this role isn't quite what you're after, but you'd like to explore the market, I'd be happy to help you navigate your next move.
Please note: This role does not offer visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at
Company
At Hays we invest in lifelong partnerships that empower people and businesses to succeed. With over 50 years’ success under our belts and a workforce of 10,000+ people across 32 countries, we’ve evolved to put our customers at the heart of everything we do.
From CFO to Newly Qualified, we work with talented finance professionals and match them with organisations where they can achieve a lasting impact.
So much more than specialist recruiters in accounting and finance, what really sets us apart is our knowledge through scale, deep understanding and our ability to meaningfully innovate for our customers. All our consultants have strong relationships across the industry and the support of our extensive global network. That’s why organisations of all types and sizes – from international blue chips to SMEs – trust us to find the people who can help transform their business.
So, whether you want something local or international, permanent, or interim, we have the breadth of coverage and the depth of understanding to help you find it.
We have specialist recruitment teams in the following areas:
17. Corporate Governance
18. Credit Control
19. Part-Qualified Accountant
20. Payroll
21. Public Practice Accounting
22. Public Services Accounting
23. Senior Finance – Qualified
24. Support, Ledgers & Bookkeeping
25. Tax & Treasury
You can rely on us to deliver today and help you plan for tomorrow
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