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Senior Insolvency Consultant

Senior Insolvency Consultant

  • Belfast
  • Flexible working
  • Full-time
  • Job share
  • Part-time

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  • Closing on: Aug 18 2026
  • £58,541 - £72,711
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About the job

Job summary

Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it's really like to work at HMRC.

Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.

At HMRC we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues; an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society we serve.

We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us and we offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career at HMRC accessible to you.

Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.

About HMRC Legal Group:

Across HMRC Legal Group we provide legal services to the whole of HMRC. This includes:
  • The conduct of independent reviews of decisions made by HMRC which are requested by customers under the legislative provisions.
  • The conduct of tribunal and civil litigation on a full range of services.
  • Work on new legislation.
  • Drafting of statutory instruments and other legal documents.
  • Legal advice to ExCom and staff.
We also provide technical accountancy and forensic services to HMRC, are head of the Compliance Accountants' and Insolvency Professions as well as handling Ministerial Correspondence and Freedom of Information requests for HMRC.

Job description

About Insolvency Governance and Professionalism (IGP):

You will be part of the IGP team, who sit within the Reviews and Corporate Services directorate in Legal Group. IGP is a team of insolvency experts responsible for the insolvency profession in HMRC.

The insolvency profession is a multi-disciplinary insolvency function of 650 staff with specialisms in counter-fraud, tax, civil recovery, customer service and debt management. It spans many different regions and parts of HMRC, providing high-quality insolvency support to internal customers, and working closely with insolvency practitioners to deliver the best insolvency outcomes.

IGP's key responsibility is to build insolvency capability across the profession, providing expert advice and leadership, and ensuring risk is managed through governance procedures.

Key roles include:
  • developing the capability of HMRC insolvency professionals (e.g. via digital classrooms, self-serve learning and delivery of HMRC's bespoke in house examination)
  • central internal communications point and provision of departmental insolvency guidance
  • governance responsibility for certain decisions including:
  • an independent governance role to approve every exercise of HMRC's powers to appoint an external insolvency practitioner
  • managing requests for legal advice or litigation
  • managing risk in robust insolvency procedures such as provisional liquidation
  • HMRC authority for reporting poor conduct by insolvency practitioners to their licensing body
  • maintaining relevant insolvency profession infrastructure such as insolvency job profiles
You will be one of the 15 insolvency experts in the IGP team, based out of one of our key regional centres. Most likely to be non-co-located with IGP colleagues or your manager, you will be part of a small team, working within a larger directorate, at the heart of a growing HMRC insolvency professional community.

This is a functional leadership role, in a governance, policy & professionalism position. You will be one of the three technical leads in a group of five G7s and will have a substantial leadership role across HMRC's insolvency profession.

You will ensure the team delivers its ambitious objectives leading a culture of innovation, customer service and professionalism. More specifically you will:
  • Provide support to the IGP team on technical advice and leading on the team's most challenging technical issues.
  • Joint lead on high profile insolvency work such as provisional liquidations and Part 26A restructuring plans.
  • Have oversight in supporting insolvency operations to increase engagement with Insolvency Service and Companies House on joint initiatives to tackle contrived insolvency and abusive phoenixism risks.
  • Manage relations and service provision with insolvency leads in specific HMRC directorates.
  • Work with specific HMRC directorates: -
  • To develop and maintain HMRC guidance for the external insolvency profession.
  • To ensure insolvency is considered in both developing new tax and insolvency policy areas.
  • To modernise and reform internal processes for both internal and external insolvency professionals.
You will contribute to other areas of IGP's work, building the team's capability to enable them to deliver the teams commitments.
  • Developing, quality assuring and delivering internal learning, including the quality assuring of learning material for Years 3 & 4 of the Insolvency Profession Exam Programme (IPEP).
  • Drafting, and quality assuring, guidance, and technical material for internal dissemination.
  • Contributing to policy reviews.
The post offers a unique opportunity to use your experience and skills to make your mark in a critically important function for HMRC, and the UK, working with a motivated team of insolvency experts. You will influence the direction and capability of the UK's most significant creditor in insolvency proceedings, ranging widely across HMRC and other stakeholders to reduce billions of pounds in tax debt write offs, tackle those who misuse company structures to evade tax, and improve the customer journey for insolvency practitioners.

Applicants who wish to work alternative working patterns are welcome to apply. The preferred working pattern may or may not be available, agreement will be subject to business need, and any request to work an alternative working pattern must be made and agreed prior to your acceptance of the provisional offer.

Person specification

You will be resourceful and self-motivated and have great people skills. You are most likely to be non-co-located with IGP colleagues or your manager so you will need to be resilient, adaptable and organised. As part of a small team, working within a larger directorate, you will need to show flexibility and planning.

Developing others and supporting them to succeed will motivate you. You will need strong communication, problem-solving and teamworking skill. You will thrive on supporting a small team in delivering its wide range of challenging objectives, driving up quality and ensuring that HMRC's insolvency professionals have access to the best advice and support.

Essential Criteria

The vacancy is for an insolvency profession specialist post. You must be able to demonstrate an expert knowledge of insolvency regimes, HMRC's powers as a creditor and how HMRC can work with insolvency practitioners to deliver HMRC's functions.

You must also already have passed;
  • HMRC - Insolvency Profession Exam Programme (IPEP)
  • IPA Certificate of Proficiency in Insolvency
  • IPA Certificate of Proficiency in Personal Insolvency and Certificate of Proficiency in Corporate Insolvency
  • ICAEW certificate in Insolvency
  • Joint Insolvency Exam
  • An Insolvency Service equivalent qualification
Further Location Information

Please ensure that you only apply for a location that you are willing and able to work from, as we will only make one offer of employment. Any additional notes included in a 'Further Location Preferences (optional)' field within the application form, will not be considered. Please be aware that you cannot change your location preference after submitting your application.

Additional Security Information

Please note that if you are appointed to 100 Parliament Street, as a condition of working in this location you will be required to obtain Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) level clearance.

To obtain this level of clearance, you will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period, which for CTC is 3 years UK residency prior to your vetting application.

You may not be able to start in the location until clearance is granted.

If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

Office closures

For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .

If your location preference is for one of the following sites, it's important to note that these are not long-term sites for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.

These sites are:
  • Waterview Park, Washington - moving to Pilgrims Quarter, Newcastle
  • Benton Park View, Newcastle - moving to Pilgrims Quarter, Newcastle
  • Lynx House, Portsmouth - moving to an alternative office in Portsmouth
You will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage.

Leeds Locations

Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRC's Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
  • Working Together
Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
  • Presentation
Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,541, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £16,959 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
  • Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
  • Family friendly policies.
  • Personal support.
  • Coaching and development.
To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it's really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:
  • A name-blind CV including your job history and previous skills/experiences. You will be provided with a separate box for each. Your CV should cover up to your last 3 relevant roles. Please include only the key responsibilities and achievements for each role. The word limit is no more than 150 words per role.
  • A 1000-word Personal Statement evidencing your suitability for the role , focusing on the Person Specification and how you meet the Essential Criteria as outlined in the advert.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

Please note only candidates who meet the Essential Criteria will progress to the full sift.

In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on your Personal Statement to ensure you meet the Essential Criteria.

At full sift your CV and Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, you will be assessed on Behaviours, Experience and Technical Skills.

To assess candidates Technical Skills, applicants will be required to deliver an 8-minute presentation with follow up questions, based on a question or scenario that will be issued 5 days before interviews take place. The question/scenario will test the applicant's knowledge of current insolvency legislation, processes and procedures.

Interviews will take place via video link. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form . Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - 'Please re-open my application - [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]'.

To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application.

Exceptionally, candidates who are not successful at this grade may be considered for appointment to similar roles at a lower grade where the eligibility criteria are met. If this applies, we will contact you directly.

Sponsorship

We have assessed this role against both Home Office and HMRC criteria and we are unable to offer sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa. This means the vacancy is not open to applicants who require visa sponsorship.

The HMRC app can help you with your application

The HMRC app can provide you with your past 5 years' employment history, making the process of filling in your application quicker and easier.

If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process.

Download the HMRC app now and save your National Insurance number to your digital phone wallet.

How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account

Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store.

If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID.

You'll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint, or facial recognition.

You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services .

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Merit List

After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Technical Support

If you are experiencing problems that cannot be resolved by our ' help ' section, then technical support is available. You will receive a reply in 2 working days.

Important information for existing HMRC Contractual Homeworkers

This role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need. Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the 'location preferences' section that you can travel to.

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK .

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:
  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :
  • Name : Claire Taylor
  • Email : claire.taylor4@hmrc.gov.uk
Recruitment team
  • Email : unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk
Further information
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns, unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.

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