Director – VAT | Dubai

Job Description – Director – VAT Advisory Location -Dubai, UAE Position: Director – VAT Advisory Experience 8–10 years of relevant experience in VAT / Indirect Tax Advisory, with strong UAE/Dubai market exposure. Experience with a Big 4, leading professional services firm, or established tax/advisory practice is a MUST. Role Overview We are looking for an experienced VAT Director to lead and grow our VAT Advisory practice in Dubai. The role combines technical VAT expertise, client leadership, practice development and commercial responsibility. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing key client relationships and complex VAT engagements, developing the VAT team and service offering, identifying new opportunities, and contributing to the overall growth and profitability of the practice. The candidate should have prior experience working extensively in the UAE market, with a good understanding of the local business environment and an established professional network. Key Responsibilities 1. VAT Practice Leadership - Lead and manage the VAT Advisory practice in Dubai. - Develop and strengthen the firm's UAE VAT service offerings. - Set the practice's growth strategy, operating model and service standards. - Take responsibility for the overall financial performance and P&L of the practice. - Monitor revenue, profitability, utilisation, billing and collections. - Identify opportunities to improve the scale and profitability of the practice. 2. Client & Engagement Leadership - Act as a senior advisor to clients on complex UAE VAT and indirect tax matters. - Lead and oversee significant VAT advisory engagements from inception through completion. - Develop strong, long-term relationships with CFOs, Finance Directors, Tax Heads and senior management. - Identify client needs and opportunities to provide additional VAT and related advisory services. - Review and ensure the quality of technical deliverables and client advice. - Support clients on VAT advisory, transaction-related matters, VAT health checks, restructuring and other indirect tax matters. 3. Practice Development & Business Development - Contribute to the growth of the VAT practice through existing relationships, referrals and market opportunities. - Develop new client relationships and participate in relevant pitches and proposals. - Build the firm's presence and reputation within the UAE VAT advisory market. - Work closely with other service lines to identify cross-selling opportunities. - Maintain an active professional network within the UAE. - Take an active role in generating and converting suitable business opportunities, while maintaining a strong focus on client delivery and practice leadership. 4. Team Leadership - Build and lead a high-performing VAT Advisory team. - Recruit, mentor and develop VAT professionals as the practice expands. - Provide technical guidance and support on complex engagements. - Establish appropriate performance, quality and development standards. - Develop a culture focused on technical excellence, client service and commercial accountability. 5. UAE Market Expertise - Bring strong practical knowledge of UAE VAT regulations and the local business environment. - Stay updated on changes in UAE VAT legislation, FTA guidance and relevant GCC tax developments. - Use market knowledge to advise clients and identify relevant advisory opportunities. - Represent the firm professionally in relevant industry and client forums. Candidate Profile - 8–10 years of experience in VAT / Indirect Tax Advisory. - Strong UAE/Dubai experience is essential. - Good understanding of the UAE VAT framework and practical experience advising UAE-based clients. - Prior experience in a senior client-facing VAT role with responsibility for managing significant engagements and relationships. - Demonstrated experience in developing client relationships and contributing to business growth. - Experience in managing or building a VAT practice/service line would be highly preferred. - Commercial understanding with experience in managing revenue, margins and P&L. - Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills. - Professional qualification such as CA, CTA, ACCA, CPA, ADIT or equivalent would be preferred. Ideal Candidate We are looking for someone who is a strong VAT professional and practice leader, rather than a pure business development specialist. The ideal candidate should bring: Strong UAE VAT Expertise + Senior Client Management + Practice Leadership + Commercial Acumen + Ability to Grow the Practice The individual should be capable of managing the technical and client aspects of the practice while also taking ownership of its growth, team development and overall profitability. If you meet the criteria and are interested, kindly DM or mail me on vanessac@wen-jobs.com