Job detail for Head of ADT

Revenue Scotland is Scotland's devolved tax authority and contributes to Scotland's public services through the taxes we collect. Revenue Scotland currently has responsibility for Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, Scottish Landfill Tax and Scottish Aggregates Tax. Air Departure Tax will be the fourth tax that we are responsible for when it commences in April 2027.

We are seeking a Head of our new Air Departure Tax (ADT) team. This is a key strategic leadership role as a senior leader within the organisation. The team’s core function is to carry out compliance and technical work to secure collection of ADT.

This role requires a self-motivated individual with excellent leadership and communication skills and the ability to build constructive working relationships with stakeholders.

It is envisaged that the of the role may be expanded in future to include other devolved taxes.

• Providing strategic, technical and tactical leadership to the ADT team, building technical capability and ensuring robust decision making and the effective resolution of tax disputes.

• Leading on developing and implementing the team’s compliance plan, championing the innovative use of data analysis, systems audit techniques and compliance skills to identify and address tax risks.

• Providing advice and assurance on the interpretation and application of legislation and the proportionate use of statutory powers to the Head of Tax Compliance & Professionalism, Head of Tax, Revenue Scotland’s Tax Assurance Group, the CEO and Revenue Scotland’s Board.

• Working with Scottish Government policy colleagues to ensure the relevant legislation continues to meet its policy objectives and build meaningful relationships with external stakeholders to provide advice and support, enhancing Revenue Scotland’s reputation with its customers

• Taking a lead role in decision making on complex cases and litigation, representing or instructing on behalf of Revenue Scotland at tax tribunals when required

• Be accountable for team performance, delivery of key targets, and operational results, proactively contributing to wider management plans

• Lead talent management and development, coaching and mentoring staff, and building capability for future needs.

• If you don’t hold one of the qualifications listed, you must demonstrate a commitment to undertaking the Association of Taxation Technicians Qualification (ATT)

Qualification

You will possess one of the following tax qualifications:

• Advanced Diploma in International Tax (ADIT)
• Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA)
• Association of Taxation Technicians Qualification (ATT)
• Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies membership qualification (such as ICAS, ICAEW, ACCA, CIPFA)
• Post Graduate legal qualification specialising in tax
• HMRC TSP or predecessor qualification (TPDP, IDP, ITS2, CPT, FT2)

Success Profiles

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on.

Technical / Professional Skills

• Problem solving - by applying a proactive and solution-oriented mindset, you will bring innovative thinking to solve complex and difficult problems.

• Understanding and application of tax - you will be able to interpret complex legislation, relevant case-law and precedent to hold persuasive arguments/discussions on relevant points of detail with taxpayers, advisors, senior leaders and stakeholders

Experience

Experience of working and leading in a tax compliance environment utilising tax powers, litigation processes and upstream behavioural shift to deliver a range of effective compliance approaches across a sector.

Behaviours

• Communication and Influencing - Level 4

• Leadership - Level 4

• Seeing the bigger picture - Level 4

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 1500 words) providing evidence of how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above. Both the CV and the supporting statement provided will be assessed against the criteria for the role.

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 assessment

Assessments are scheduled for w/c TBC.

Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered

Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.

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, well-being, 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 next three years

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 Revenue Scotland 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 primarily 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 Revenue Scotland Candidate Guide provides further information on our recruitment and application processes.

Further information

Revenue Scotland is a Non-Ministerial Office which is a 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.

We will hold a reserve list for 12 months

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.

Apply Before: 22/09/2026 (23:59pm) - This role is open to internal candidates, OGD and Common Citizenship organisations only.