Manager-VAT

Job Purpose

• Lead VAT compliance, advisory, restructuring, technology and governance and indirect tax projects across Mashreq Group entities and applicable jurisdictions, ensuring full compliance with local tax laws and regulatory requirements.
• Act as a trusted VAT advisor to Business, Finance, Operations, Product, Technology and other stakeholders on new products, process changes, accounting flows and customer charging models.
• Lead and support UAE E-Invoicing implementation, including requirement gathering, solution review, UAT coordination, go-live readiness and post-implementation governance.
• Drive VAT automation, digital transformation and process improvement initiatives to strengthen reporting accuracy, reduce manual dependency and improve tax control effectiveness.
• Oversee review activities relating to monthly VAT compliance, reconciliations, input VAT recovery, tax engine uploads, voluntary disclosures filings to the tax authority and management reporting.

Key Result Areas

VAT Compliance & Governance

• Lead the review and submission of periodic VAT returns, VAT reconciliations, and other indirect tax compliance obligations across multiple jurisdictions.
• Review monthly VAT workings prepared by team members and ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with local tax regulations.
• Oversee preparation and review of VAT account reconciliations, tax reporting schedules, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure timely identification, assessment, and remediation of VAT compliance gaps and reporting exceptions.
• Manage voluntary disclosures, tax corrections, and interactions with tax authorities where required.
• Establish and monitor VAT controls, governance frameworks, and compliance procedures across the organization.

VAT Advisory & Business Support

• Provide technical VAT advisory support to business units, finance, operations, treasury, trade finance, digital banking, and product teams.
• Review and approve VAT implications for new products, process changes, and strategic business initiatives through NPPA and governance frameworks.
• Interpret new tax regulations and assess their impact on business operations, recommending appropriate actions.
• Support senior management in tax decision-making through technical opinions, position papers, and impact assessments.

UAE E-Invoicing Program Leadership

• Support the end-to-end UAE E-Invoicing implementation program across Mashreq Group entities.
• Collaborate with business, IT, finance, operations, and external vendors to ensure successful implementation of e-invoicing requirements.
• Define tax requirements, review solution design, review UAT testing results, and validate reporting accuracy.
• Establish governance, controls, and monitoring mechanisms for ongoing e-invoicing compliance.
• Support with stakeholder communication and trainings.
• Act as the primary tax point of contact for regulatory developments related to UAE E-Invoicing and other digital tax initiatives.

Tax Technology & Automation

• Drive automation and digital transformation of VAT reporting, reconciliation, and other compliance processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve process efficiency, reduce manual intervention, and strengthen tax controls through automation.

Audit & Regulatory Management

• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate responses to tax authorities.
• Support internal audit, external audit, and regulatory reviews relating to indirect taxes.
• Maintain robust tax documentation, audit trails, and supporting records in compliance with statutory requirements.

Stakeholder Management & Leadership

• Build strong relationships with business, finance, operations, technology, legal, and compliance teams across the organization.
• Provide guidance, mentoring, and technical support to team members to enhance tax capability and knowledge sharing.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Chartered Accountant or equivalent professional qualification with 7+ years of experience in VAT / indirect tax, preferably within banking or financial services.
• Strong working knowledge of UAE VAT law, GCC VAT frameworks, financial services VAT treatment, input tax recovery, exemptions, reverse charge and tax reporting requirements.
• Experience in VAT return review, reconciliations, voluntary disclosures, tax audits, tax engine reporting and multi-jurisdiction compliance management.
• Hands-on experience in tax technology including e-invoicing implementation and VAT automation projects covering system design, system configuration review, and UAT testing activities.
• Strong advisory, stakeholder management, analytical, documentation and communication skills with ability to manage competing priorities and guide team members.