Associate Director - Employment Tax and Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director to lead and develop our Construction Industry Scheme ("CIS") offering as part of our Employment Tax team. This role will provide technical and practical advice to clients on all employment tax matters with a focus on the operation of CIS, including compliance, risk management and HMRC engagement. The successful candidate will act as a key technical lead within the employment tax team, driving delivery across complex engagements, supporting client relationships and contributing to the firm's national CIS capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Client Advisory & Technical Leadership
• Provide expert advice on all aspects of CIS, including:
• Advise on complex and high risk areas
• Lead technical input on large and complex client engagements across all aspects of employment taxes, ensuring high-quality, commercially practical advice
• Develop your own network of contacts internally and externally and start winning own work and cross selling
• Be responsible for coaching and developing junior members of staff.
• Compliance & Operational Support
• Support clients in meeting their CIS obligations
• Advise on remediation of historic compliance issues and implementation of best practice frameworks
• Provide guidance on record keeping and audit readiness
• HMRC Engagement & Dispute Management
• Act as a primary point of contact with HMRC on employment tax and CIS matters
• Represent clients in complex discussions with HMRC, ensuring robust technical positions are articulated and defended
• Monitor HMRC trends and enforcement activity to inform client advice
• Business Development & Client Relationship Management
• Build and maintain strong client relationships across real estate, construction and wider sectors
• Identify opportunities to provide additional advisory, compliance and training services
• Support the development of proposals, thought leadership and market facing materials
• Manage the team providing CIS advice to clients and contribute to growth of employment tax revenue streams
• Lead the CIS offering (reporting into the partners) and manage all financial aspects of our services
• Team Leadership & Internal Collaboration
• Provide technical oversight and mentoring to managers and junior team members
• Act as a central point of expertise within the firm's CIS network, supporting colleagues nationally
• Work closely with Real Estate, VAT and other service lines on multidisciplinary projects
• Contribute to internal training and knowledge sharing
• Manage wider employment tax projects arising from clients and contacts

Skills & Experience

• Significant experience advising on CIS across a range of sectors (e.g. property, construction, large corporates, overseas investors)
• Strong technical knowledge of CIS legislation (Finance Act 2004), contractor vs subcontractor rules, deemed contractor thresholds and exemptions
• Proven track record of dealing with HMRC enquiries, disclosures and technical negotiations
• Experience managing complex client relationships and leading engagements
• Commercial awareness and ability to translate technical rules into practical advice
• An in depth, up to date knowledge of taxation with specialist knowledge and the ability to deal with complex tax issues beyond CIS (including income taxes, PAYE/NIC, benefits in kind)
• Project and staff management experience
• Ability to manage a substantial client portfolio profitably while actively seeking opportunities for new clients and services
• Experience of dealing with client senior management and success in bids/proposals for new work
• Experience in marketing, commoditising new ideas and opportunities
• Demonstrable post qualified experience

Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership and team development capability
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• High attention to detail with a pragmatic, solutions focused approach
• Ability to operate at a senior level with clients and stakeholders

Success Measures

• Delivery of high quality, technically robust client advice
• Effective management of HMRC interactions and risk outcomes
• Growth in CIS related revenue and client base
• Development of internal CIS capability and team expertise
• Seek innovative solutions to complex challenges.
• Leverage stakeholder relationships to deliver superior results.
• Lead large scale or complex projects within own area of expertise.