Indirect Tax Manager

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Position Overview

Vantage is seeking a proactive, detail-oriented, and collaborative Indirect Tax Manager to take ownership of indirect tax compliance and advisory workstreams in Germany. The German market is one of our largest and most critical, with several operational data centres and a significant number of ongoing development projects.

You will support the business’ objectives in Germany, partnering with other departments to support delivery of our data centre developments, and interact with key internal and external stakeholders.

You will work closely with, and report to, our Senior Tax Manager, Germany. You will also work closely with the Senior Tax Director, EMEA, and Indirect Tax Manager, EMEA, as well as the rest of the EMEA Tax team, based in the UK. Critically, you will form part of the broader German finance team, sitting in our Raunheim office.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who is capable of driving and delivering results from start to finish, gaining buy-in from stakeholders, and taking responsibility and accountability for completing a variety of tasks.

Essential Job Functions

• Insource the preparation of the preliminary VAT returns (currently 17 registrations in Germany) based on the business’ accounting records. The insourcing is expected to be staggered over a period of time.
• Support the preparation of the annual VAT returns of the relevant VDC companies by our external advisors, reviewing the information and responding to queries.
• Support the German finance team with continuous improvement of the accounting data inputs and master data relevant to the VAT returns.
• Regularly review systems, implement and monitor processes and controls in relation to VAT, and identify internal training requirements.
• Work with Finance teams to manage and expedite the recovery of VAT receivables, contributing to net working capital management.  
• Build a trusting relationship with the tax office, leading our response to checks, enquiries, and audits, in respect of VAT.

Duties

• Preparation of preliminary VAT returns for the German VAT registrations.
• Support external advisors with the preparation of the annual VAT returns of the German VAT registrations.
• Preparation of relevant EC Sales and Intrastat reporting, as relevant.
• Undertake system reviews, Tax CMS, and VAT process reviews to identify improvements and change requirements. Work with internal and external stakeholders to lead such improvements and changes.
• Document processes to support high quality VAT compliance, for example walk-throughs, manuals, aide memoires, flow diagrams, etc. Establish methods for monitoring adherence to processes.
• Integrate the above processes into the EMEA Tax management software, enabling the capture of critical information in our structured document repository through workflow engines, and boosting our preparedness for third party information reviews (e.g., due diligence or audit).
• Build trusting relationships with the German finance team members to enable the identification of training requirements in respect of VAT, and then arrange and deliver said training, liaising as necessary with external consultants.
• Build a trusting relationship with the tax office, establishing yourself as the main point of contact for VAT matters. Lead responses to checks, enquiries, and audits, and seek a collaborative relationship in agreeing the tax treatment of unclear transactions in real-time.
• Linked to the above, work with the German finance team to manage and expedite the recovery of VAT receivables, contributing to net working capital management by identifying “sticking points”, managing external stakeholders, and providing the necessary information to release cash receivables.
• Support the broader business with the VAT implications of transactions in Germany, whether it be supporting procurement contracting, acquisitions of land, significant reorganisations, restructurings and/or financings, due diligence, etc.
• Develop a strong working relationship with the Indirect Tax Manager, EMEA based in the UK, to support broader EMEA VAT initiatives and share knowledge.
• Work with procurement and delivery teams to establish a smooth process for transit and import of goods critical to delivery of data centre developments. Customs experience and knowledge is not a pre-requisite, but a willingness to learn about these important areas is expected.
• Travel within EMEA is expected every other month (at least initially), most likely to the UK to spend time with the rest of the EMEA tax team. It is expected that members of the EMEA tax team will also travel to Germany so that there is at least monthly in-person contact. Travel within Germany, to data centre sites, may be required, but is expected to be infrequent.

Given we are a fast-growth, agile group, it is likely job duties may evolve and change over time. The role promises variety, challenge, and opportunities to develop and broaden tax skills, including potentially in other jurisdictions.

Job Requirements

• Expectation of minimum 3 days per week office attendance at our Raunheim offices.
• 5+ years of experience in VAT compliance and/or advisory, preferably with exposure to large multinational groups. Experience of preparing and submitting VAT returns is critical.
• Knowledge of customs clearance processes and cross-border transit of goods is advantageous but not required.
• Experience dealing with construction services and imports of goods will be beneficial.
• Professional qualification(s) in tax / accounting / finance, applicable and relevant to the role, would be beneficial, but is not required where sufficient experience can be demonstrated.
• Good communication and inter-personal skills, as business partnering will be a key part of the role.
• Comfortable working with a high degree of autonomy.
• Ability to work effectively to competing deadlines.
• Proficient with Outlook and Microsoft Office suite.
• A willingness to travel in line with the role duties.
• Ability to speak English and German fluently is required.
• Familiarity with Yardi accounting system would be advantageous but is not required.

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.