Director, Federal Tax Planning and M&A

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Position Purpose:
 

The Tax Director is responsible for leading a team of tax professionals and serving as a strategic advisor to Tax leadership and business partners in support of the Tax Department’s goals. This role directs and oversees tax planning, research, audit defense, appeals, mergers and acquisitions, and other special projects, as applicable. The Tax Director is expected to develop and execute tax strategies that support business objectives, optimize tax outcomes, and mitigate risk.

This position requires strong technical tax expertise, business judgment, executive presence, and the ability to lead through influence across Tax, Finance, Legal, Accounting, Treasury, business operations, external advisors, and governmental authorities. The Tax Director is accountable for building and maintaining trusted relationships, translating complex tax matters for technical and non-technical audiences, developing talent, and driving cross-functional initiatives from strategy through execution.

Major Responsibilities & Key Accountabilities:

• 45% Tax Strategy, Planning, Controversy, and Risk Management
  • Direct tax planning, research, audit defense, appeals, controversy, and related tax matters as needed to meet the goals of the Tax Department.
  • Lead the development, evaluation, and execution of tax strategies aligned with Company priorities, business operations, legislative and regulatory developments, and risk tolerance.
  • Lead or support complex tax matters involving federal tax mergers and acquisitions, or other tax disciplines, depending on area of responsibility.
  • Monitor emerging tax law, regulatory, administrative, and business developments; assess potential impacts to the Company; recommend and implement appropriate actions.
  • Develop, review, and support technical tax positions, memoranda, models, documentation, and audit defense strategies.
  • Identify opportunities to optimize tax outcomes, reduce risk, improve controls, enhance processes, and create value for the Company.

25% Cross-Functional Leadership and Business Partnership

• Serve as a subject-matter expert and strategic business partner on enterprise initiatives, acquisitions, business transformations, process improvements, and other cross-functional projects.
• Partner with Finance, Legal, Accounting, Treasury, Operations, IT, business leaders, subsidiary teams, external advisors, and other stakeholders to evaluate tax implications and recommend practical, business-aligned solutions.
• Translate complex tax issues into clear recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leaders.
• Lead tax workstreams by defining scope, priorities, milestones, stakeholders, deliverables, risks, and decision points.
• Drive alignment across internal and external teams, ensuring appropriate escalation, timely follow-up, and clear communication of status, risks, and outcomes.
• Serve as liaison between the Store Support Center, subsidiary businesses, and domestic or international teams on tax matters, as applicable.
• 20% Talent Leadership, Coaching, and Associate Development
  • Attract, develop, engage, and retain high-performing tax professionals.
  • Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, feedback, and career development opportunities to direct reports and other associates within the Tax Department.
  • Establish clear expectations, accountability measures, development goals, and performance standards.
  • Build technical depth, leadership capability, collaboration, ownership, and engagement within the team.
  • Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-accountability culture that supports continuous learning, strong business partnership, and effective execution.
• 10% Operational Excellence, Governance, and Process Improvement
  • Establish and maintain effective processes, controls, documentation, and governance to support tax, controversy, planning, and audit readiness.
  • Use data, technology, analytics, and process improvement practices to increase efficiency, scalability, accuracy, and transparency within the tax function.
  • Prioritize initiatives based on materiality, risk, business impact, resource requirements, and strategic value.
  • Manage internal and external resources effectively, including budgets, outside advisors, project staffing, and timelines.
  • Promote continuous improvement and disciplined execution across the function.

Direct Manager/Direct Reports:

• Typically reports to Vice President Tax
• Accountable for the management of a department or functional group through subordinate supervisors/managers and for all personnel issues -- including selection, termination, performance appraisal and professional development of subordinates.

Travel Requirements:

• Typically requires overnight travel less than 10% of the time.

Physical Requirements:

• Most of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position and there is frequent opportunity to move about. On rare occasions there may be a need to move or lift light articles.

Working Conditions:

• Located in a comfortable indoor area. Any unpleasant conditions would be infrequent and not objectionable.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be eighteen years of age or older.
• Must be legally permitted to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPA, CMI, or JD Strongly Preferred
• MBA or MTAX Strongly Preferred
• 10-15 years of experience Preferred
• Experience in federal income tax, Sub C, audit defense and mergers and acquisitions.
• Demonstrate technical tax skills appropriate for the years of experience in one or more tax disciplines. Demonstrate leadership and interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage and implement multiple complex projects, people management, and communications to both technical and non-technical audiences. Proven analytical and problem resolution skills.

Leadership Capabilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Sets direction, establishes priorities, and connects tax strategy to enterprise objectives, business initiatives, financial impact, and risk mitigation.
• Culture and Engagement: Models Company values, fosters trust and inclusion, promotes engagement, and creates an environment where associates are empowered to contribute, learn, and deliver results.
• Ownership and Accountability: Demonstrates end-to-end ownership of tax matters, drives decisions, follows through on commitments, and ensures timely execution of priorities.
• Business Partnership and Influence: Builds trusted relationships across Tax, Finance, Legal, Accounting, Treasury, operations, external advisors, and business leaders; influences outcomes without relying solely on direct authority.
• Developing Organizational Capability: Builds a sustainable function by assessing resource needs, defining operating models, strengthening governance, and developing clear career paths and succession plans.
• Executive Communication: Communicates complex tax issues clearly and succinctly to technical and non-technical audiences; frames recommendations, risks, trade-offs, and decisions for senior leadership.
• Talent Development: Coaches, mentors, and develops associates by providing feedback, growth opportunities, technical training, leadership exposure, and clear expectations.
• Collaboration and Cross-Functional Execution: Leads teams across functions, clarifies roles and responsibilities, aligns stakeholders, resolves issues, and drives initiatives to completion.
• Judgment and Risk Management: Applies strong business judgment, technical expertise, and risk awareness to evaluate alternatives and recommend practical, compliant, and value-enhancing solutions.
• Change Leadership and Continuous Improvement: Identifies opportunities to improve processes, controls, technology, documentation, and ways of working; leads change with discipline and stakeholder engagement.