Indirect Tax Manager

Department/Division: Finance 
Duration: Permanent 
Location: UK
Reports to: Head of UKIME Group Tax 
Type of Role: Hybrid

Reference Number: 9590

Finance team 

The Finance team of Dentons UK and Middle East LLP is a vibrant, capable team based in UK, Dubai, Ireland and Poland and supports all aspects of the firm’s financial requirements from the provision of strategic support through to detailed transactional processing, with a key focus on providing high-quality customer service to our internal and external clients. 

The Partnership Group Tax team are responsible for managing the global tax compliance, risks, and tax governance of the Dentons UKIME region, which covers the UK, Ireland and the Middle East. The focus of the team includes business taxes, tax support for partners, employer related tax issues, tax strategy and advisory projects and VAT, withholding tax and client billing support. As the global tax landscape is rapidly changing and with increased scrutiny from tax authorities, it is an exciting and challenging time for inhouse tax teams. 

The Role

The position of UK Indirect Tax Manager is within the Partnership Group Tax Team in the Finance Department of Dentons UK and Middle East LLP, reporting to the Head of UKIME Group Tax. 

This role combines indirect tax advisory, compliance, and process improvement. The appointed candidate will develop strong business-partner relationships with key stakeholders across the UKIME region and act as the principal point of contact for global VAT and indirect tax matters, supporting both business services teams and the legal practice.

Responsibilities

Advisory

• Act as the primary advisor on indirect tax matters arising from client billing and operational transactions across the UKIME region, including working arrangements with the rest of the Dentons verein.
• Provide clear, practical advice on UK and international VAT issues, translating complex legislation for non-tax stakeholders.
• Support new business initiatives, client onboarding, alternative fee arrangements, and evolving service delivery models from an indirect tax perspective.
• Work closely with partners, Finance and business services colleagues, and external advisers to identify, manage, and mitigate indirect tax risks.

Compliance

• Oversee and manage the timely and accurate completion of all VAT compliance obligations for the UK and Irish entities within the Dentons UKIME region, working closely with Finance teams in both jurisdictions.
• Review VAT returns, manage group VAT registrations, and sign off on complex VAT positions.
• Liaise with external tax advisers and tax authorities in the UK, Ireland, and the Middle East in relation to VAT audits, enquiries, and dispute resolutions.
• Design, implement, and maintain robust indirect tax processes and controls, including VAT policies, process documentation, and guidance materials for Finance teams.
• Monitor changes in UK and global VAT and indirect tax legislation, assessing and managing the impact on the firm’s operations and risk profile.
• Support internal audit, governance, and risk management processes where indirect tax input is required.

Process Improvement 

• Partner with the wider Partnership Tax & Finance team to support the firm’s Finance strategy, developing scalable, efficient, and increasingly automated indirect tax compliance processes.
• Work with Finance and IT teams to improve VAT accuracy and controls within billing and finance systems (e.g. Elite 3E and Emburse).

Required experience, skills, and attributes

Technical Skills

• CTA, ACA, CA or equivalent, with solid post-qualification experience in indirect tax.
• Experience advising on UK and international VAT in a law firm or professional services environment with law firm-specific experience.
• Extensive knowledge of UK VAT compliance, including reviewing and overseeing VAT returns.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and proficient with Word and Teams.
• Familiarity with Elite 3E and document management systems is desirable but not essential.
• Knowledge of PwC's Edge MTD software (or similar MTD software) is desirable.

Personal Attributes

• Clear, professional communicator, able to interpret technical issues for non-tax audiences.
• Experienced in stakeholder management, comfortable engaging with partners and business services teams.
• Highly organised, detail-focused, and used to working in a professional services environment.
• Able to prioritise effectively, manage competing deadlines, and perform well in high-stress situations.
• Tenacious, self-motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision.

Firm Profile

Across more than 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organisation by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com

Inclusion and Diversity

We are committed to building an inclusive culture here at Dentons where our people can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance. As well as being the right thing to do, it makes good business sense too. A richness of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives helps us best serve our clients and the communities in which we operate. You can find out more about inclusion and diversity at Dentons here: Inclusion and Diversity.

Equal Opportunities

Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from everyone including of any age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, neurodiversity, disability, or with parental or caring responsibilities. We also offer flexible working hours.

During the application process, all applicants have the opportunity to tell us about any adjustments or support they require so they are able to perform at their best. Any information you share with us during the application process is treated in confidence.

If you have any questions about this or the role criteria, please email recruitment.matters@dentons.com. 

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

If you are interested in applying for this position, we welcome direct applications via our careers page, but if you have any questions beforehand, please email  recruitment.matters@dentons.com. Enquiries only please – applications will not be accepted via email.

Please note that we will not accept unsolicited CVs sent to the business, nor will we accept any associated terms of business.