Tax Policy Advisor

Policy Adviser, Taxation

City, London

Permanent

Overview:

To help develop policy on the 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.

Key Duties:

* Review policy on maintenance and operation of the UK regime, through 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 companies 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 firm, through collaborative working with wider business teams
* Build effective relationships with staff at all levels in member firms based on a strong understanding of their commercial environment and the impact of regulation and legislation.
* Develop influential relationships with key industry stakeholders including HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs.
* 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 regard being given to business and regulatory factors driving those markets.
* Benefit the industry and its customers by formulating and communicating persuasive policy initiatives supported by robust evidence, that address legislative and regulatory concerns and enhance the reputation of the industry.
* Contribute to the activities of the wider company Regulation Directorate, the company staff and Member Groups, to reach industry wide views on key issues. Support other members of the Taxation team by working on other taxation and financial reporting issues where required.
* Promote the aims and objectives of the company and help secure the outcomes and deliverables set out in the company Business Plan.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate:

* The ability to 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 decision-making at those levels would also be beneficial.
* The ability to work with members to understand their priorities and concerns, gather evidence from them, and develop robust and credible policy positions, both through the company's formal Committee structure and through bilateral relations with key stakeholders.
* Excellent lobbying skills, including the ability to influence and persuade senior people in member firms, Government, regulators and elsewhere, and to argue persuasively for the industry's interests
* Strong analytical and technical capabilities to deal with complex multi-layered issues.
* The ability to understand and anticipate a regulator's needs and approach, and to match industry response to that.
* Present clear and concise messages to summarise our positions and represent the industry in meetings, seminars and in the media.
* Experience of presenting complex financial concepts to a senior, but not necessarily expert, audience with the ability to achieve good understanding and positive outcomes.
* Be flexible across a wide-ranging portfolio, able to prioritise effectively and respond to time critical and/or technical material, and the ability to react quickly to urgent issues and incidents.
* An 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.
* Good understanding of the UK 's legislative and regulatory environment, including knowledge of the workings of Parliament.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills, with attention to detail, the ability to write articulately on complex issues for a wide range of audiences.
* Demonstrable experience of building and managing strong working relationships internally and externally and successfully influencing stakeholders to effect change.
* The ability to work collaboratively and to contribute to the wider work of the company

Please apply as soon as possible for immediate consideration