Overview
This role is for a Direct Tax Lead in the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Tax Team which is part of the cross-government Tax Centre of Excellence (Tax CoE). The MoJ is a major government department, at the heart of the justice system. We work to protect and advance the principles of justice. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society.
Working in the Tax Centre of Excellence (Tax CoE) offers a unique opportunity to shape, influence and deliver the direction of tax services at the heart of government. It is also an exciting and welcoming place to work and you will be supported to reach your full potential and get the most out of a rewarding career in Finance.
The Tax CoE was the first cross government centre of excellence to be established and is a central resource for tax advice and services available to the public sector. The Tax CoE is comprised of teams from the Ministry of Justice, Home Office and Department for Work and Pensions. The services offered by the Tax CoE and operating model can be found on the Tax CoE website on OneFinance.
This role also attracts a specialist allowance of £2,000. The specialist allowance is non-contractual and subject to annual review.
Role Purpose
As Direct Tax Lead you will provide expert and professional advice on employer taxes (PAYE, National Insurance, taxable expenses and benefits and employment status) and the Construction Industry Scheme to the MoJ core departments and its Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) to ensure compliance with legislation and HMRC guidance.
You will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders across the business to develop and deliver a Direct Tax strategy that mitigates tax risk for the department and its ALBs.
You will manage the Direct Tax team, providing them with technical support on complex areas as well as HR management.
You will support delivery of cross government tax compliance projects and initiatives, engaging and working in partnership with colleagues from other government bodies, including HM Revenue and Customs and HM Treasury, communities and networks.
Key Responsibilities
· Lead and support the team on producing, clarifying and advising on complex and challenging tax issues providing clear communications and guidance to maintain a strong level of taxation compliance across the MoJ
· Develop the Direct Tax Strategy to ensure compliance across the organisation sharing best practice across the wider Tax CoE and delivering continuous improvement
· Provide technical input into the design and delivery of the new shared services system
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders to enable effective partnership working across the MoJ organisation, Tax CoE and wider government department sector
• Actively contribute to the Tax CoE delivery and development of tax services and programme of work with an ongoing focus on continuous improvement
For further information please contact Joanna Turner at Joanna.Turner@justice.gov.uk
Key skills and knowledge
The Successful Candidate will be able to demonstrate:
Essential Criteria:
• A strong working knowledge, track record, experience and understanding of Direct Tax and employer responsibilities (PAYE, National Insurance, taxable expenses and benefits, employment status) and Construction Industry Scheme.
• Successful track record leading on continuous tax improvements in both process and compliance including effective up-skilling
• Confidence in challenging and influencing senior stakeholders
• Good stakeholder and engagement skills with the ability to build and facilitate successful working relationships with both internal and external customers
• Effective communication skills including the ability to translate complex rules into clear and helpful guidance that can be widely understood
• Ability to assimilate complex information from both internal and external sources and to provide accurate, complete and timely advice and guidance
• Ability to manage competing priorities, delivering high quality work to demanding timescales
• A willingness to develop further expert knowledge in Direct Tax, Finance and government departments
• Engaging and collaborative team member
Desirable Skills and Experience
• A good understanding of Direct Tax within the public sector and Oracle systems and accounting would be useful, but not a necessity.
• An experienced finance professional (qualification is desirable but not essential) but must be willing to extend skills and knowledge across taxation
• Previous management experience (desirable but not essential)
• Knowledge of the Off Payroll Working Rules and Corporation Tax (desirable but not essential)
We may consider any evidence within your application and/or from interview that demonstrates meeting the desirable criteria as set out in the job description. This will only be after essential criteria is scored and where there is a need to differentiate between closely scored candidates.
Success Profiles
Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.