Interim Life Tax Adviser, London, to £90k fte

A major insurance body require a Interim Life Tax Adviser to help develop policy on the Life taxation of insurance companies, with particular focus on direct tax and financial services products. To provide support on tax issues affecting general developments in policy on insurance issues, such as: financial regulation; solvency; and product regulation. To represent and help members of the firm represent industry views and interests to UK government, the OECD, and European bodies.

Principal Responsibilities

* Review policy on maintenance and operation of the UK regime, though consultation with members, and influence decision making by representing the industry's views in writing or in discussion with HM Revenue and Customs, HM Treasury, Parliament or other commentators;
* Manage one or more of the bodies working groups; assisting on policy development on wider tax issues dealt with by the team, such as savings incentives, policyholder tax, international tax, indirect tax issues and Automatic Exchange of Information initiatives, where appropriate;
* Build the profile of the tax team within the body, though collaborative working with wider teams;
* Lead on engagement with members to raise their understanding of tax issues affecting their policy areas and encourage the need to consider tax impacts early in the debate;
* Monitoring developments and change in general and life insurance markets with particular regard being given to business and regulatory factors driving those markets;
* Skills, Knowledge and Experience
* Gain credibility with those at senior levels within the financial services industry, government or elsewhere. Experience, or a keen understanding of, what is required to facilitate and influence
* Be flexible across a wide-ranging portfolio, able to prioritise effectively and respond to time critical and/or technical material.

Essential:

* Life Tax experience and knowledge;
* Enthusiasm for promoting the interests of the insurance industry and its customers through to development of a fair and efficient tax system;
* An understanding of the UK Tax System and UK Tax Policy, most probably a qualified accountant or tax professional;
* Excellent analytical skills and an evidence-based approach to policy making, decision making, and problem solving;
* A broad understanding of, or interest in obtaining experience and knowledge on, a range of non-tax issues including financial and product regulation, financial reporting and accounting and wider developments in financial markets;
* Excellent oral and written communication skills, with attention to detail, in particular the ability to write articulately on complex issues for a wide range of audiences;
* Influencing, lobbying and negotiating skills to secure member support for a clear set of priorities and objectives and to influence decision makers on the course of action supported by the industry;
* Good interpersonal skills; a premium is placed on an open and friendly personality;