Associate Director, R&D Tax

Bristol | S&W

Join S&W and play a pivotal role in helping ambitious businesses unlock innovation and growth.

At S&W, we work alongside clients to simplify complexity, uncover opportunities, and create solutions that deliver real impact. With a heritage dating back to 1881 and recognition as one of the UK’s top 10 fastest-growing accountancy firms, we are proud to support businesses and individuals across generations.

Our expertise spans tax and accountancy, advisory and assurance, corporate finance, and restructuring. Everything we do is driven by our purpose: to help our clients navigate challenges, unlock potential, and achieve extraordinary outcomes.

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The Opportunity

We are looking for an accomplished and commercially minded R&D Tax Associate Director to join our established team in Bristol.

This is an exciting opportunity for a high-performing professional who is ready to help shape and expand our R&D tax service line. You will take ownership of a portfolio of engagements, lead client delivery, support the development of team members, and work closely with Directors and Partners to drive service excellence and continued growth.

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What You’ll Be Doing

As an Associate Director, you will take a leading role in both client delivery and team management, ensuring high standards across every engagement.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing a portfolio of R&D tax engagements across a broad range of clients

• Overseeing the preparation and review of R&D tax credit claims for both SMEs and large corporate businesses

• Identifying qualifying R&D activities and expenditure through analysis of client operations and financial information

• Leading client meetings to gather technical and financial details, challenge assumptions, and present findings clearly

• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure claims are robust, accurate, and well-supported

• Handling HMRC enquiries and providing clear, practical advice throughout the claims process

• Delivering structured R&D tax advice tailored to client needs and commercial objectives

• Managing project budgets and timelines to ensure work is completed efficiently and to a high standard

• Supporting Directors and Partners with complex assignments and strategic client matters

• Contributing to operational improvements, including the design and implementation of internal processes

• Line managing, coaching, and mentoring team members to support performance and career development

• Playing a key role in learning and development initiatives across the team

• Supporting business development activity, strengthening existing client relationships and building your external network

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What We’re Looking For

We are seeking someone who combines strong technical capability with commercial awareness, leadership skills, and a passion for delivering exceptional client service.

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• Relevant qualifications and experience in an engineering or scientific discipline

• Strong experience in R&D tax services, including:

• Preparation of R&D tax relief claims

• Work across both SMEs and large corporates

• Managing and responding to HMRC enquiries

• Delivering structured and technically sound R&D tax advice

• People management experience, with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop others

• Demonstrable business development skills and a proactive approach to building relationships

• Strong technical tax knowledge, with confidence supporting complex client matters

• Excellent client management skills and the ability to build trusted relationships

• Proficiency in financial analysis and modelling

• Exceptional attention to detail

• The ability to deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced and evolving environment

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Why Join S&W?

At S&W, you’ll be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking environment where your expertise is valued and your career can thrive.

Our benefits include:

• Competitive salary

• Private medical insurance

• Life assurance

• Pension contribution

• Hybrid working model (role dependent)

• Generous holiday allowance

• Option to buy additional holiday

• Shared parental leave

• Fully funded training towards professional qualifications

• Cycle to work scheme

• Season ticket loan

• Eye care support

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Our Commitment to Inclusion

We believe that diverse perspectives make us stronger. At S&W, we are proud to foster a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and the clients we support.

We have a number of active employee resource groups and continue to invest in a wide range of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Our aim is to create an environment where every colleague feels respected, supported, safe, and empowered to reach their full potential, regardless of identity, background, or circumstance.

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Accessibility and Adjustments

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process and are happy to make reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application journey.

If you require any support, please let your Recruiter know.

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Apply Now

If you are an experienced R&D tax professional ready to take the next step in your career and make a meaningful impact within a growing firm, we’d love to hear from you.

Join S&W in Bristol and help businesses turn innovation into opportunity.