LOCATIONS: Croydon, Stratford, 100 Parliament Street, Birmingham, Leeds or Newcastle.
Please note: Due to capacity restrictions, Croydon, 100 Parliament Street and Stratford are only available to existing HMRC staff based in that location

Job description

Tax software is widely used across almost all taxes, accounting for 87% of all digital submissions to HMRC; the only intermediaries with comparably wide usage and market penetration are paid tax agents, who also make use of software. We are currently in discovery phase to assess the most appropriate framework for standards, monitoring and enforcement to ensure quality outcomes from software.

The successful candidate will be working closely with key partners on a high-profile area commissioned by ExCom to produce effective measures to shape the future of tax compliance in the commercial software developers’ market whilst doing so in the context of developing an Intermediaries’ strategy and software strategy. The role will require a high level of engagement with diverse stakeholders within and outside of HMRC. This role requires a resourceful and forward-thinking individual, with a problem-solving mindset and the ability to merge divergent views into coherent and effective policy solutions. Working with the rest of the team, the policy and strategy lead will be responsible for influencing our strategic approach to software. There will be a degree of working in ambiguity and needing to work alongside a developing wider picture.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the small but growing Software Strategy and Policy Team. The team works across HMRC, wider government, and the professional representative body landscape and industry; to develop HMRC’s strategic approach to realising the full value of software intermediaries within the tax ecosystem.    

Some of the priorities on the team at present include:  

• Designing and delivering a tax software strategy.  
• Implementing an internal and external software forum.
• Bridging gaps within HMRC to tackle tax software challenges ranging from compliance to Making Tax Digital in a joined-up way.
• Developing research papers on artificial intelligence.
• Developing a framework for co-creation with the software industry.

Working collaboratively with key partners in Chief Digital Information Office and Customer Compliance Group to lead the setting direction of and implementation of software standards and an accompanying enforcement framework.  

Managing senior stakeholder relationships, working effectively under tight deadlines against a backdrop of changing and challenging priorities and dealing with complex issues as they arise.

Working closely with a small team to deliver the software strategy.

Contributing regularly to the planning and preparation of briefings of the elements of the team’s work.

You will be expected to share responsibility to support development of this new team and colleagues.

Essential Criteria:

• The ability to work alongside a developing wider picture in an environment that is ambiguous and complex.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including confidence when working with and influencing external and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to gather and analyse information from diverse sources across HMRC, government and industry, to present complex information in an accessible and clear format.
• The ability to promote effective decision-making through high quality strategic advice all whilst testing/challenging emerging narratives.
• Policy experience, for example, writing submissions, briefing, and advising on policy decision making (this can include but is not limited to policy professional roles).  

Desirable Criteria:

• An understanding of HMRC’s current software/digital/tech vision.
• Recent experience of working with industry.
• Knowledge of the tax software market and/or tax software used for tax compliance purposes e.g., filing, calculating etc.
• Experience of working on regulation or related policies, particularly involving digital goods and services.
• Experience of putting together investment bids or business cases.