R&D Senior Manager

We are seeking an experienced R&D Senior Manager to join our in-house R&D tax team. Our firm serves a diverse client portfolio spanning various business sectors, offering opportunities to work on a wide range of R&D tax projects.

As a member of our team, you will work with senior staff to lead the preparation of R&D claims, ensuring compliance with R&D tax legislation and providing valuable expertise to our clients.

The team

Our R&D is a close-knit and collaborative division of our national Corporate Tax team. Corporate Tax spans our 9 office locations and comprises 7 partners and over 100 professionals. The team deals with a large portfolio of companies operating in a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, technology, retail, recruitment, financial services, hospitality and property. These clients range from smaller owner-managed businesses to large and complex listed groups, as well as charities and not for profit organisations.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate confidently and knowledgeably with senior colleagues within the R&D, corporate tax, audit, and accounts teams.
• Support client meetings and presentations, explaining our services effectively.
• Assist in identifying opportunities and participating in new business pitches for both new and existing clients.
• Manage and successfully deliver R&D tax projects, emphasizing technical excellence and practical, business-driven solutions.
• Prepare comprehensive documentation in line with UK BEIS guidelines and CIRD manual to support R&D claims while adhering to the firm's quality standards.
• Craft technical descriptions of client projects for inclusion in reports to be submitted to HMRC, and edit client-drafted descriptions for improvements.
• Coordinate and participate in interviews with clients' technical and finance teams, advising on R&D tax relief and qualifying R&D activities and expenditures.
• Contribute to claim methodology development and assist in the preparation of R&D tax relief claims for submission to HMRC.
• Support R&D engagements, including cost monitoring, billing, risk management, deliverables, and client relationships.
• Assist in preparing documentation and liaising with HMRC to address inquiries related to R&D Tax claims.
• Cultivate and maintain strong client relationships, delivering high levels of client service.
• Foster relationships within the firm and externally with clients, identifying growth opportunities and managing client expectations.
• Keep all relevant teams and Partners informed about project responsibilities and any issues that may impact client relationships.
• Collaborate with colleagues across different disciplines to build an internal network.

You

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Strong R&D technical skills;
• Proactive, resilient, and driven with recent practical experience managing an R&D tax portfolio.
• Strong managerial skills and up-to-date working knowledge of R&D tax issues.
• Experience in organizing the delivery of R&D tax work, problem-solving, and taking initiative.
• Confidence and professionalism to establish credibility at all levels.
• Commercial acumen and a clear understanding of client requirements.
• Preferably CTA and/or ACA/ACCA qualified or with strong understand of CT comps.

Reward and benefits

• A 35 hour working week with a hybrid working policy with the flexibility to work from home for up to three days per week (our core hours are 10-4);
• Excellent benefits including; contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave, Life Assurance cover and great flexible benefits and family friendly policies;
• Eligibility for the firm’s Profit-Sharing Plan. Paid in December; and
• Eligibility for the discretionary bonus scheme.

About us

Saffery LLP is an adviser to individuals and businesses across a range of sectors, providing market-leading accountancy, audit, business advisory, tax and VAT services. Founded in 1855, we are the UK’s 15th largest accountancy firm.

When you work with us at Saffery, you work with people who know your name, not just a job title. We’re a place shaped by friendly, intelligent people who are individually excellent and collectively exceptional. We’re committed to our clients, but also to our greatest asset – our people.

As a proud member of Nexia, a leading, international network of independent accounting and consulting firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us. With our ED&I strategy, Everyone Belongs, we are building on our positive work culture and implementing initiatives to improve diversity and strengthen our equitable culture of inclusion, led from the top.

We hope you will apply to us, whatever your background, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, disability or neurodivergence, because individual differences equal collective strength. Built on values of excellence, integrity, enthusiasm and collegiality, Saffery is where Potential meets Personal.

At Saffery, we’re more than just chartered accountants and tax and business advisers. We’re a partner-led and people-focused firm, committed to our clients and honouring our heritage.

Since 1855, we’ve evolved in size and scope, but our unwavering dedication to exceptional client service remains the same.

As a proud member of Nexia, a worldwide network of trusted member firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale.

In the UK, Saffery LLP is the 15th largest accountancy firm by fee income, with 90+ partners and 1,200+ staff across nine offices. Overseas, Saffery is represented in Cayman, Guernsey, Geneva, Zurich, Dublin and Dubai.