Indirect International Tax Manager

Company Description

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

Job Description

The role

This is a senior advisory focussed role within the Partnership Tax Team, responsible for managing key aspects of the firm’s global indirect tax risk, compliance, governance and advisory work. The role will support the development and implementation of the firm’s indirect tax policies and processes across the jurisdictions in which Clifford Chance operates. Reporting to the Director of Tax & Treasury, the Senior Indirect Tax Manager will provide practical and commercial advice on VAT, GST and equivalent taxes, support global compliance and controls, and help ensure that indirect tax matters are managed consistently and effectively across the firm. The role will also include line management responsibility for a team member based in Delhi, including overseeing their work, supporting their development and ensuring effective collaboration across locations. Given the level of interaction with UK based senior stakeholders and the importance of UK and EU VAT matters to the role, the role will be based in London.

Who you will work with

You will work closely with the Partnership Tax Team, including a Delhi based team member for whom you will have line management responsibility, as well as Financial Governance & Policy, Risk & Compliance, Clearance, Systems, Partners, lawyers, Finance and Billing teams, external advisers, tax authorities and, where required, clients.

What you will be responsible for

Leadership and stakeholder management

Manage key indirect tax matters globally, supporting effective risk management and compliance across the firm.

Line manage a team member based in Delhi, including allocating and reviewing work, providing guidance and feedback, supporting their development and ensuring effective day to day collaboration.

Build strong relationships with Partners, Finance, Billing, Systems, Risk & Compliance, external advisers and tax authorities.

Act as a trusted adviser to the business, providing pragmatic, commercial and proactive indirect tax support.

Technical advisory

Advise on global indirect tax matters, including VAT, GST and equivalent taxes.

Support the business on a range of indirect tax related matters, including but not limited to client matters, billing issues, engagement terms, systems changes, business structuring, new office openings and cross border service delivery.

Monitor global indirect tax developments and provide training and guidance to relevant teams.

Compliance, processes and controls

Whilst VAT returns are prepared by local Finance teams, the candidate will be expected to have a solid understanding of VAT compliance processes and will support and provide advice on the firm’s global indirect tax compliance framework, including VAT/GST reporting, controls and reconciliations.

Work with local Finance teams to ensure indirect tax accounting and reporting processes are appropriately controlled.

Develop and improve global and regional policies and processes, including in relation to billing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, e-invoicing and cross border arrangements.

Risk management and projects

Work with Risk & Compliance, in house Counsel and the Client Terms team to manage indirect tax risks and legal exposures.

Assist Partners and Billing teams globally to ensure matters are set up correctly from an indirect tax perspective.

Support strategic projects, including finance systems implementation, e invoicing, invoice coding reviews and process mapping.

Identify opportunities to manage indirect tax costs and cash flow efficiently, while ensuring the correct amount of tax is reported and remitted.

Qualifications

Your experience

Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex indirect tax matters clearly to senior stakeholders.

Commercial, pragmatic and proactive, with the ability to provide clear recommendations and take ownership of issues.

Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence colleagues and support change across a global business.

Able to work autonomously, exercise judgement and manage competing priorities.

Strong attention to detail, combined with the ability to summarise key messages clearly and succinctly.

Good understanding of processes, controls, systems and data relevant to indirect tax compliance and risk management.

Experience of managing, supervising or coaching team members, including across locations, would be beneficial.

Experience

Significant experience of UK, and preferably, global indirect taxes, including VAT, GST and equivalent taxes, from both a compliance and advisory perspective.

Experience in a professional services or international services business.

Preferred Experience

Experience managing indirect tax risks in a complex international organisation.

Experience working with accounting or billing systems and supporting projects, process improvements or systems changes.

Knowledge and qualifications

Strong understanding of UK, EU, and preferably, global indirect tax principles.

Ability to keep up to date with technical developments and assess their impact on the firm.

ACA or CTA qualified, or equivalent.

Additional Information

How we will support you

From your first day with us, you will have opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge through formal training, informal coaching and mentoring, technical training and on the job learning.

Hybrid working

The expectation for this role is to be working in the office for a minimum of 50% of your time.

What we offer including our broad range of benefits and working environment

When you join Clifford Chance, you will have access to a broad range of benefits to support you across many aspects of your personal and professional life including financial, wellbeing, lifestyle, and family friendly benefits. For more information on what we offer specifically in the UK, please visit our What We Offer page on our career site.

Equal opportunities

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.

Find out more about our inclusive culture here.