Indirect Tax Lead

Indirect Tax Lead – VAT Innovation

Location: Luton

Introduction to role:
Are you ready to lead the charge in transforming VAT processes and driving innovation within a global enterprise? At AstraZeneca, our Global Indirect Tax team plays a crucial role in ensuring business decisions are both practical and profitable from a tax perspective while managing risk. We set the strategy for risk management and control frameworks, resolve controversies, drive efficiencies, and provide technical indirect tax advice to the wider business and internal stakeholders.

In this role, you'll partner with the business to support strategic goals, improve VAT processes, lead indirect tax projects, and reshape operations functions. This role is perfect for a Senior Manager from a big four firm or industry with strong Life Sciences experience and solid project management skills.

Accountabilities:
• Lead various indirect tax projects within the business, strategically identifying and leading areas for VAT process improvements while mitigating costs and maintaining effective risk management.
• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive controls and processes alongside tax risk control frameworks.
• Proactively engage with the broader tax and customs team, senior tax leadership, and relevant partners regarding indirect tax matters.
• Collaborate regularly with commercial and clinical teams, local finance teams, and other internal departments to identify process improvements and provide VAT technical guidance.
• Stay updated on global indirect tax developments, regulatory changes, and issues from recent VAT audits to understand their impact on the business.
• Collaborate with outsource compliance and advisory providers to drive compliance process improvements, improve data quality, reduce costs, and find opportunities.
• Identify areas where AI can be used to inspire change and improve processes, collaborating with SMEs to improve, develop, and implement new AI solutions.
• Engage with local tax authorities regarding claims, VAT audits, and error corrections while finding opportunities for process improvement.
• Monitor information related to other taxes and liaise closely with the wider Group Tax team.

Essential Skills/Experience:
• Indirect tax advisor with a professional qualification (CTA, AITI, ADIT etc) and several years of experience in providing indirect tax advice in a large MNE environment (pharmaceutical or life sciences an advantage) or in practice to such clients.
• Deep indirect tax technical expertise with strong knowledge of international indirect tax issues.
• Strong experience leading and managing large complex global projects, including multijurisdictional VAT refund projects.
• Strong experience introducing and managing global risk management and tax control frameworks.
• Expertise in the interpretation and application of tax legislation, case law, and precedents.
• Excellent research, analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong ability to manage numerous complex projects, progress actions in a coordinated manner, and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong business partnering experience.
• Ability to build strong business relationships across various levels within AstraZeneca and external parties and teams.
• Excellent team working ethos, interpersonal skills, decision-making ability, confidence to express opinions, and ability to work with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work innovatively to drive change and experience utilising AI to improve processes.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

At AstraZeneca, you'll be part of a talented team that supports our rapidly growing enterprise to better serve patients every day. We demonstrate exciting new technology and digital innovations to accelerate our evolution strategically. With an entrepreneurial spirit that keeps us ahead of the rest, we apply creativity to every task we do. Our fast-paced environment is fueled by diversity of perspectives and opportunities for lifelong learning. Here, you'll build an unrivaled reputation while taking your career to new heights.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now to join our dynamic team!

Date Posted

23-Jul-2025

Closing Date

06-Aug-2025

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.