Senior Manager – EMEA VAT/GST Compliance

Role Purpose

The Senior Manager – EMEA VAT/GST Compliance plays a critical leadership role within the RBC VAT/GST EMEA compliance practice. The purpose of this role is to manage and oversee the delivery of multi-jurisdictional VAT compliance services for large multinational clients, ensuring accurate, timely, and high-quality statutory filings.

This role acts as a senior point of contact for clients, provides advanced technical VAT oversight, drives quality and risk management standards, and leads teams involved in the preparation and review of VAT returns and related filings. The Senior Manager supports operational excellence led by the VAT Compliance Director, contributes to service delivery enhancements, and plays a key role in developing talent within the compliance organisation.

About RBCVAT

RBC VAT Limited is a leading provider of indirect tax compliance and advisory services supporting multinational businesses with complex VAT/GST obligations across the EMEA region. We specialise in delivering high-quality, multi-country compliance solutions that combine deep technical expertise, strong operational capability, and a commitment to exceptional client service.

Our teams work with some of the world's largest organisations, helping them manage their VAT/GST reporting obligations, navigate continuous regulatory change, and operate effective indirect tax governance frameworks. We are committed to developing our people, investing in technology, and delivering consistent, reliable VAT/GST compliance support at scale.

Key Responsibilities

1. Client & Engagement Leadership

• Lead a portfolio of multi-country VAT/GST compliance engagements across the EMEA region.
• Serve as the primary senior contact for client stakeholders, building strong and trusted professional relationships.
• Oversee the end-to-end compliance cycle including VAT/GST returns (incl. IOSS, OSS), ESL/EPL, Intrastat, SAF-T and associated regulatory filings.
• Coordinate with local-country teams and technical specialists to address jurisdiction-specific issues or complex technical matters.
• Ensure delivery meets quality standards, statutory deadlines and agreed service-level expectations.
• Communicate regulatory updates in a timely manner to impacted clients, prospects and partners.

2. Technical Expertise & Quality Assurance

• Provide senior-level VAT/GST technical guidance, particularly on complex cross-border transactions and reporting scenarios.
• Conduct detailed review and technical sign-off of compliance deliverables to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Identify and mitigate risks within compliance processes, ensuring adherence to internal controls and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor changes in EMEA VAT and GST frameworks and local legislation and communicate implications to internal teams.

3. Operational Excellence & Process Improvement

• Drive improvements in the efficiency, consistency and scalability of VAT/GST compliance delivery.
• Support the development of standardized review methodologies, quality frameworks and technical guidance materials.
• Work with internal teams on adopting and integrating automation tools and technology solutions that enhance compliance processes.
• Contribute to refining operational workflows to support best-in-class client delivery.

4. People Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach and mentor managers and associates involved in VAT/GST compliance work.
• Provide continuous performance feedback and contribute to talent development and succession planning.
• Support the design and delivery of technical training for the EMEA VAT/GST compliance team.
• Create an inclusive, supportive and performance-driven team environment.

5. Business Development & Practice Support

• Support senior leadership in preparing proposals, pricing structures and scopes for new VAT/GST compliance opportunities.
• Participate in selected client prospect and onboarding discussions to provide technical and delivery insight, without primary responsibility for selling VAT/GST compliance services.
• Identify opportunities to expand service offerings within existing relationships.
• Contribute to internal initiatives, service-line knowledge development and practice-wide technical updates.

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• 7–10 years of experience in VAT/GST compliance, indirect tax, or multi-country VAT/GST operations.
• Strong background managing EMEA multi-jurisdictional VAT/GST compliance portfolios.
• Proven experience reviewing and signing off VAT/GST returns, ESL/EPL, Intrastat, SAF-T and other statutory indirect tax filings.
• Demonstrated success leading teams and engagement workflows within a professional services environment (Big 4 or equivalent).
• Experience delivering compliance services for multinational clients, managing multiple stakeholders and deadlines simultaneously.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Deep understanding of EMEA VAT/GST legislation, cross-border transaction rules, place-of-supply rules, and digital reporting requirements.
• Strong capability to assess complex VAT/GST positions and provide clear, commercially practical guidance.
• Familiarity with tax technology, ERP systems and compliance platforms (SAP, Oracle, SAP GTS, Vertex, Onesource for Indirect Tax, Sovos, Avalara, Taxually, etc.).
• Strong adherence to quality standards, internal controls, and risk-management frameworks.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, including managers and associates.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical VAT/GST matters to non-technical audiences.
• Strong problem-solving, organisational, and project-management capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and manage senior client relationships effectively.

Education & Certifications

• University degree in accounting, economics, finance, business, or law preferred
• Professional tax qualifications are highly desirable.
• Fluent English (written and spoken); additional European languages are an advantage.