The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

You will  be a key part of the University Tax Team, supported by colleagues and reporting to the Head of Tax within the Department of Finance. Your primary responsibility will be to lead VAT compliance for the University and its group operations, and minimise the University’s exposure to VAT costs and risks. VAT is particularly complex in the Higher Education sector, due to its charitable status and mix of activities, so specialist knowledge is required.   

You will work closely with colleagues across the University on a diverse range of activities. This will include reviewing commercial, non-business and exempt activities to ensure compliance with tax legislation.  You will also provide specialist guidance and support on all aspects of business taxation including clear and helpful advice and training to non-tax staff.  You will seek to identify process clarity and efficiency, and engage in system development where possible.

The work of the team ranges from tax input on simple queries to complex project and contract reviews; from small refurbishments to major capital investments; joint ventures and collaborations both in the UK and on international projects

Main duties and responsibilities

Working with the Head of Tax, the focus of the role is to manage the worldwide VAT & Indirect tax compliance of the group. You will be the key point of contact for all VAT and indirect tax issues.

• Manage the monthly, quarterly and annual VAT reporting, filing and payment requirements
• Improve and manage systems and processes to ensure compliance with legislation and deadlines in an efficient manner.
• Work with the Finance Systems & IT support teams to ensure continuous improvement of  systems and processes, and ensuring tax is considered as part of any process change.
• Proactively manage the Group’s VAT exposure through optimising the approach to partial exemption.
• Provide input to contracts and projects to ensure VAT risks are managed and understood. This includes Capital and Revenue projects, commercial and research / grants.
• Report on the VAT impact and potential recovery and risks as part of the Group’s financial forecasting and risk management processes.
• Monitor and manage the risks associated with overseas growth and digital learning
• Provide support and guidance to the University’s faculties, departments, and group companies on the indirect tax obligations of activities undertaken. This may include staff training, tax drop in sessions, departmental visits, attendance at meetings and/or ad-hoc advice.
• Assist the Head of Tax to train and develop wider finance staff to enable others to identify when specialist tax support is needed.
• Assist the Head of Tax to train and guide Tax team staff, including the line management of the Tax assistants and Tax Officer
• Manage relationships with external advisors, HMRC and actively participate with the tax group at the HEI finance staff representative body  BUFDG.
• Provide support and guidance to the University’s faculties, departments, and group companies on the indirect tax obligations of activities undertaken.
• Work with the Head of Tax as required on wider taxation issues affecting the Group
• Depending upon the experience of the post holder, there is scope to also manage the University's Corporation Tax compliance obligations, and any other business tax risks that may arise.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• Accountancy (ACA, ACCA) or equivalent professional tax qualification (ATT, CTA)  with relevant post qualification experience in indirect taxes; or a tax professional with substantial practical experience in indirect taxes eg HMRC or tax advisor background (assessed at application/interview)
• A VAT specialist with experience of partial exemption methods, capital good schemes and transaction tax advice (assessed at application, presentation & interview)
• Experience of contract reviews from a tax perspective (assessed at interview)
• Good general IT skills, highly proficient in Excel and experience of working with SAP or similar financial system (assessed at application)
• Good team player, with experience of managing individual workloads and priorities, together with those of a team (assessed at application & interview)
• Excellent management, planning and organisational skills (assessed at application & interview)
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a real interest in finding solutions and helping others learn and develop (assessed at interview)
• Strong communicator, with the ability to express complex tax technical information in a straightforward way to non- specialists (assessed through presentation)
• Analytical approach to problem solving, with attention to detail and ability to combine technical knowledge with a pragmatic approach and commercial judgement,  to draw conclusions and make clear recommendations (assessed at presentation & interview)
• Approachable and personable with an ability to gain trust, confidence and respect amongst colleagues and be able to build their own network (assessed at interview)

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in, or advising, the HE sector (assessed at application)
• Experience of identifying and implementing system and process improvements (assessed at interview)

Further Information

Grade: 8 - £54,135 - £64,605 (from 1 March 2025)

Line manager: Head of Tax

Direct reports: 1 x Tax Officer;  2 x Tax Assistants

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Karen Noice, Head of Tax: on k.noice@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on Thursday 6th February, this will be confirmed after the closing date. This will consist of an Interview, short presentation and an opportunity to meet other members of the tax team. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by the 31st January. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Deborah Finnie at d.finnie@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.