International Indirect Tax Manager (12 month FTC) - #145237

Key responsibilities:

• Review of VAT / GST compliance, processes and controls in each office or region, with periodic testing of those controls.
• Work with the Chief New Business and Enterprise Risk Officer to review matter opening processes where there is a VAT / GST consideration, with a view to streamlining the overall billing process.
• Responsibility for compliance with Japanese Consumption Tax requirements.
• Establishing and maintaining systems to monitor legislative changes in indirect tax and reporting requirements and implementing the firm's policies and reporting in response to these, to ensure compliance in line with legal and regulatory requirements, and the firm's tax strategy.
• Be first point of contact for technical indirect tax queries across the business, in particular in respect of place of supply of services rules.
• Supporting the Director of Tax and Partner Finance and the Head of International Tax with the implementation and management of strategic projects and initiatives where there is an indirect tax angle.
• Involvement in cross functional IT projects where there is an indirect tax angle, e.g. systems updates / migration.
• Involvement in E-invoicing mandate implementation globally and providing tax advice and regular updates as announced.
• Assisting fee earners and the broader Business Finance team to ensure compliance with cross-border VAT and GST rules. Reviewing any non-standard billing request from clients where VAT / GST is a consideration.
• Respond to ad hoc requests from fiscal authorities on indirect tax matters and proactively manage formal tax audits into indirect tax matters.
• Conduct indirect tax training sessions with stakeholders and business finance teams as necessary.
• Liaising with colleagues from a non-tax background, both within the finance team and the wider business, to ensure indirect tax is properly understood and factored into decision making across the business.

Management and personnel aspects

• Proactive contribution to the people development initiatives of the Tax & Partner Finance team, such as Academy courses, Champions Groups and team morale and wellness initiatives.
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with Business Finance and management stakeholders across the firm, in particular to pro-actively identify areas of activity where indirect tax issues may arise.
• Working with the Head of International Tax to evaluate best practice and identify and drive operational improvements.
• Ensuring pro-active communication within the Tax & Partner Finance team and regional Business Finance teams.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Fulfilment of the Tax & Partner Finance team's responsibilities in an efficient and timely basis
• Timely dissemination of information to relevant stakeholders
• Effective identification and management of tax risks
• Delivery of commercially appropriate business solutions, enabling improved profitability and complying to tax obligations.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• Proven post-qualification indirect tax experience in a partnership setting
• Over five years' experience in a role in a large organisation where you have operated at a senior advisory or similar level. We will consider equivalent relevant experience or those with more or less experience, providing they meet the required competencies and can demonstrate successfully undertaking the above outlined responsibilities
• Strong tax technical knowledge across all aspects of indirect tax especially with regards to the UK and a selection of other territories relevant to the firm
• Strong appreciation of how tax fits into the wider business context from a compliance, commercial and risk perspective
• General knowledge of billing systems within an international group, preferably with a services background (rather than goods)
• Excellent managerial skills, especially with regard to a specialist team spread across different locations and time zones
• Demonstration of influencing skills with senior management
• Proven self-starter
• Managing change within their area of responsibility
• Attention to detail with a high level of accuracy
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise
• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Qualified accountant and/or tax adviser

Competencies

Personal leadership

• Energises those around them, simplifies complexity and makes quality decisions
• Brings perspective and a constructive approach to high pressure situations and directs attention to solutions
• Makes sound commercial decisions based on a clear understanding of the business
• Acts decisively even on the basis of incomplete information

Collaborates with others

• Develops innovative solutions by valuing diversity of thought, expertise and experience
• Brings a positive energy to the way they work and inspires this in others
• Draws on internal networks to bring people with the right skills and expertise together to develop solutions

Builds high performing teams

• Builds highly engaged teams that are diverse and inclusive and can excel in a range of situations
• Creates an environment that encourages personal accountability, and builds the confidence of others by highlighting their strengths and achievements

Focuses on clients

• Always acts with the firm's clients in mind
• Prioritises initiatives that will positively impact the client experience and their business
• Develops solutions that balance client needs and the sustainable profitability of the firm
• Takes active steps to cultivate and maintain an excellent reputation in the market

Innovates

• Leads and influences change
• Seeks out market trends and introduces relevant ideas for competitive advantage
• Envisions ways for the firm to differentiate itself and is driven to achieve this

Achieves results

• Makes things happen in a complex environment
• Remains focused on long term objectives and broad firm issues

About us

As one of the world's leading law firms, we advise many of the largest and most ambitious organisations across all major regions of the globe. With over 5,000 people, including 3,100 lawyers and over 2,000 business services professionals, operating from our global network of offices across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and North America, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is at the heart of the new global business landscape providing premium quality, full-service legal advice.

We recognise that the success of our business and our clients relies on the skills, knowledge and ideas of all our people. Our environment is one in which high performance is expected, in return, we will provide you with rewards and opportunities tailored to your personal and professional goals.

Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values-Human, Bold, and Outstanding.