Deputy Director, VAT Litigation – Solicitors Office & Legal Services, HMRC, London

We are looking for an excellent leader who can provide visible and effective leadership to the Team to deliver excellent VAT litigation services to HMRC. You will be able to engage and inspire the immediate and wider Team, ensuring that all team members feel supported and developed; and promoting an open, diverse and inclusive environment. The post holder will provide strategic direction, advising on and having conduct of HMRC’s major, most complex and highest value VAT Litigation in the First Tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal, and higher courts, as well as leading and managing related judicial review and other claims. The post holder will work closely with other HMRC teams, and SOLS colleagues in Legal Operations, to provide a high-quality, joined up VAT litigation service. You will provide personal input on the most complex matters, strategic oversight of VAT litigation and insight from our litigation back into the business. You will also work closely with other SOLS A Deputy Director colleagues and the Director of SOLS A to support the effective leadership and management of the Litigation Directorate, including legal risks and resources and continuously improving our litigation services.

Key Responsibilities:

● Leading teams in planning and delivering VAT Litigation on HMRC’s most complex and high value cases; ensuring that we continue to maintain an excellent quality service, that legal risks are properly identified and managed, that adequate resources are in place; that we live within our budget, that external resource, such as Counsel, are effectively managed and contributing to briefing for senior colleagues and Ministers.
● Leading and managing HMRC’s litigation that may arise from the transition period, as the UK exits from the EU.
● Supporting the effective management of fiscal risks arising from litigation.
● Strong leadership of the Team, creating a capable, engaged and empowered team and fostering an open, diverse and inclusive work environment.
● Building strong relationships with internal HMRC clients to identify, understand and deliver on their priorities; and wider stakeholders.
● Ongoing compliance with Lexcel standards.
● Corporate contribution to wider SOLS, HMRC and the wider Government Legal Profession.

Responsibilities:

Applicants should be able to demonstrate their capability in legal technical skills and the four core civil service behaviours set out below.

Legal Technical Skills:

● Excellent legal professional skills with a proven track-record of delivering high quality legal services.
● The ability to think creatively and give authoritative risk-based legal advice that facilitates practical solutions.
● Good knowledge of litigation, public law and EU law.
● Some litigation experience.

Highly desirable:

● Knowledge of tax and VAT.
● Knowledge of the civil service and litigating in the Government context.