Senior Tax Specialist

Are you interested in a dynamic, investigatory compliance role with a focus on environmental taxes in Scotland? 

The Environmental Taxes Team in Revenue Scotland is responsible for two of Scotland’s Devolved Taxes: Scottish Landfill Tax and, from April 2026, Scottish Aggregates Tax. We are a small team within Revenue Scotland with responsibility for the integrity of the Environmental Taxes through a combination of risk-based compliance, and the development and implementation of changes to tax policy, processes and guidance. We work closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and other agencies. 

This role offers the opportunity to:

• lead on complex compliance issues, engaging with the operators of quarries and landfill sites including carrying out site inspections, 
• develop risk profiles and analyse those risks,
• use a range of formal powers and other influencing approaches to ensure the correct tax is paid.

You will be a senior tax specialist, handling complex enquiries and providing support, coaching and advice to Tax Specialists within the Environmental Taxes Team. 

This role requires a self-motivated individual with strong experience in tax compliance and excellent communication skills, with an ability to build working relationships with taxpayers and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Engage and work with taxpayers, industry representatives and broader stakeholders to ensure compliance with tax obligations.
• Lead on complex compliance issues and provide support and guidance to tax specialists in the Environmental Taxes Team.
• Identify tax risks through risk assessment, data analysis, site visits and compliance meetings.
• Provide accurate and timely technical advice and support to internal and external stakeholders.
• Development and implementation of changes to tax policy, processes and guidance.
• Pro-active identification and implementation of continuous improvement including streamlining operational processes.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of training modules.
• Lead, manage and coach teams and provide direction and motivation. 
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to develop Revenue Scotland’s role as Scotland’s devolved tax authority.

Success profileSuccess profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. 

Technical / Professional Skills:

Management of Compliance and Risk – Practitioner level

The ability to minimise risks, by planning and managing the delivery of compliance objectives. Managing customer/stakeholder relationships to mitigate risks.

The specific skills we require are shown below. 

• The ability to ask difficult and uncomfortable questions both verbally and in writing, communicating in a well-structured, concise and compelling manner to reach effective resolution.
• Coach and support other tax professionals by sharing tax knowledge and expertise.

Develop comprehensive action plans setting out operational procedures and clear strategic objectives. Conducts effective case conferences with appropriate parties on progress and future direction of case, taking decisive action when required to ensure timely delivery.

Essential criteria - A driving licence is essential. If not held already, we would expect the successful candidate to acquire (at their own cost) a full driving license.

Experience:

You should be able to demonstrate the ability to interpret complex legislation and navigate tax disputes effectively, making informed decisions.

Previous compliance experience is essential.

Behaviours:

• Making effective decisions - Level 3.
• Delivering at pace - Level 3.
• Working together - Level 3. 

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot

How To Apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation 

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 3 November 2025, however this may be subject to change.

About Us

Revenue Scotland is Scotland's devolved tax authority and contributes to Scotland's public services through the taxes we collect. 

Revenue Scotland is a diverse, high performing organisation that has a reputation for delivering excellence and a commitment to continually improving the way we work while supporting the health, wellbeing, and development of our employees. Revenue Scotland is a great place to develop new skills, and you will be supported in your role with learning and development to enable you to perform at your best.

Look at our video to find out more about working for Revenue Scotland. 

If you would like to learn more about Revenue Scotland, please visit our website. Our Corporate Plan sets out our strategic objectives for the period 2024 to 2027.

Working Pattern

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week, we offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options. Our hybrid working principles require you to attend your assigned office, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh at least 2/3 days each month. Our hybrid approach supports a blend of home and workplace working, this should be agreed with the line manager to achieve the right balance between collaboration, in-person engagement and flexibility. You can also work from our Glasgow hub office if required.

Security Checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide. 

Equality Statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. 

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them in our candidate guide. Revenue Scotland is a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. The interview and assessment process are conducted in person unless you require a reasonable adjustment. Interview questions will be issued 24 hours in advance. If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please let us know via rsrecruitment@revenue.scot. 

Our Candidate Guide provides further information on our recruitment and application processes.

Further Information

Revenue Scotland are a Non-Ministerial Office who are part of Scottish Government Main Bargaining unit and have adopted Scottish Government main terms and conditions and pay arrangements. 

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

As part of any recruitment process, Scottish Government and associated public bodies collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants and applicants for public appointments. 

Personal information you provide in the recruitment process will be made available to Scottish Government and our additional data processors. 

Minimum Time in Post 

The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of three years unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

For further information on this role please contact Ryan McColgan at ryan.mccolgan@revenue.scot  or Brendan Macrae at brendan.macrae@revenue.scot

Apply before: 27 October 2025 (23:59)

This role is open to internal candidates, OGD and Common Citizenship organisations only.