1172 - Tax Lead - Public Sector Engagement

Working in the Tax Centre of Excellence (Tax CoE) offers a unique opportunity to shape, influence and deliver the direction of tax services at the heart of government. It is also an exciting and welcoming place to work and you will be supported to reach your full potential and get the most out of a rewarding career in Finance. This post is in the Tax CoE Customer Engagement Team which is part of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The MoJ is a major government department, at the heart of the justice system. We work to protect and advance the principles of justice. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society. The Tax CoE was the first cross government centre of excellence to be established and is a central resource for tax advice and services available to the public sector. The Tax CoE is comprised of teams from the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, and Department for Work and Pensions. The services offered by the Tax CoE and operating model can be found on the Tax CoE website on OneFinance. This role also attracts a specialist allowance of £2,000. The specialist allowance is non-contractual and subject to annual review. Role Purpose This is a specialist role to deliver an expert and professional tax advice and support service - producing, clarifying and advising on tax policy and compliance, interpreting and preparing guidance and providing clear communications on technical issues which are often challenging and complex in nature. Taking a strategic lead on the delivery of services, you will engage and collaborate with colleagues across government including HM Revenue and Customs and HM Treasury driving continuous improvements in tax compliance. Key Responsibilities

• Lead on the provision of advice on complex and challenging tax issues
Increase capability and compliance in the sector, through:
• Design and delivery of fit for purpose tax upskilling
• Providing clear communications and guidance
• Developing and sharing best practice and ensuring tax is considered at an early stage of the business planning process
• Working collaboratively across government and the wider public sector addressing tax compliance risks and issues
• Taking pro-active action to inform and support the sector on compliance with new tax legislation, policies and initiatives
• Build effective relationships across a wide range of stakeholders, regularly communicating, establishing and maintaining a tax community across the sector and raising awareness of key tax issues.
• Lead projects to improve systems and processes in line with tax global principles, ensuring controls and best practice are in place to help maintain a strong level of tax compliance across the sector.
• Take a lead role to inform and deliver the strategic priorities and direction of the Tax CoE
• Be responsible for managing relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of current and future tax CoE aims and objectives
  
  A strong working knowledge, track record, experience and understanding of taxes that are most relevant to government departments and the wider public sector. This could include employer tax responsibilities (PAYE, taxable expenses and benefits, off-payroll working rules), VAT, Corporation Tax and Construction Industry Scheme.
• Successful track record leading on continuous tax improvements in both process and compliance including effective up-skilling.
• Confidence in challenging and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Good stakeholder and engagement skills with the ability to build and facilitate successful working relationships with both internal and external customers.
• Effective communication skills including the ability to translate complex rules into clear and helpful guidance that can be widely understood.
• Ability to assimilate complex information from both internal and external sources and to provide accurate, complete and timely advice and guidance.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, delivering high quality work to demanding timescales.
• A willingness to develop further expert knowledge in tax and VAT, Finance and government departments.
• Engaging and collaborative team member.
Desirable Skills and Experience
• A good understanding of tax and VAT within the public sector and Oracle systems and accounting would be useful, but not a necessity.
• An experienced finance professional (qualification is desirable but not essential) but must be willing to extend skills and knowledge across taxation.