Senior VAT Manager

Senior VAT Manager

Location: Belfast City Centre Hybrid

Salary: Competitive Salary

Contract Type: Permanent

Abacus Careers is recruiting a Senior VAT Manager on behalf of a Leading Independent Firm in Belfast City Centre.

This is a senior opportunity for an experienced VAT professional ready to take greater ownership of clients, people and practice development. Alongside leading complex VAT advisory work, you'll play an important role in managing the team, developing client relationships, supporting the Tax Partner and identifying opportunities to grow the firm's VAT offering.

You'll operate as a senior point of contact for clients, combining strong technical VAT expertise with the commercial judgement and leadership skills expected at Senior Manager level.

For someone who enjoys the technical side of VAT but also wants genuine influence over people, clients and business development, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing advisory practice.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and develop the VAT team, providing day-to-day guidance, technical support and oversight of work.
• Take ownership of complex VAT advisory projects, including land and property, M&A, corporate finance transactions and wider commercial matters.
• Liaise directly with clients and senior stakeholders, becoming a trusted point of contact for complex VAT advice.
• Work closely with and support the Tax Partner on technical, client and practice development matters.
• Manage client relationships, ensuring advice is commercially focused, technically robust and delivered effectively.
• Drive business development activity, identifying new opportunities and strengthening relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Contribute to the strategic growth and profile of the VAT practice through networking, webinars, seminars and professional events.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the wider firm to identify opportunities where specialist VAT input can add value.

What We're Looking For

• Strong VAT knowledge with the technical capability to advise on complex and commercially significant VAT matters.
• Previous experience managing, supervising or developing colleagues and the ability to provide confident leadership to a VAT team.
• The credibility and communication skills to manage client relationships directly and engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the judgement to develop practical and commercially focused solutions.
• The ability to work closely with the Tax Partner, taking ownership of senior-level responsibilities and supporting the development of the practice.
• A commercially minded approach with the confidence to contribute to business development and new client opportunities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, combined with strong attention to detail.
• A collaborative, motivated approach with a commitment to continued technical and professional development.

What's In It For You

You'll join a Leading Independent Firm where you can combine high-level technical VAT work with broader leadership and commercial responsibilities.

You'll have the opportunity to lead and develop a team, work directly with clients and senior stakeholders, collaborate closely with the Tax Partner and play an active role in growing the VAT practice.

With Belfast City Centre and hybrid working, this role offers the opportunity to build your profile as a senior VAT adviser while gaining exposure to complex transactions, business development and practice growth.