Manager, Indirect Tax

Description

Fervo Energy is building the most cost-effective, repeatable geothermal power plants in the world. Achieving that mission at scale requires a tax function that is disciplined, well documented, and ready for a public-company operating environment, where accurate filings, defensible positions, and efficient management of transaction taxes directly support Fervo's growth and capital-intensive project execution. Joining Fervo means operating at the intersection of energy infrastructure, project finance, and growth-stage execution, where ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement are foundational.

• We are seeking an Indirect Tax Manager to own Fervo's sales and use, property, and other transaction tax processes across a multi-entity, multi-jurisdiction footprint. Because Fervo's drilling, construction, and power plant development activities generate significant equipment and contractor spend, indirect tax exposure and exemption management have a direct impact on project cost and cash. This role is responsible for building accurate, efficient, and audit-ready indirect tax processes that scale with the development program.

The Indirect Tax Manager will manage compliance and filings, oversee exemption and taxability determinations, support audits, and partner closely with Supply Chain, Operations, and Accounts Payable to get indirect tax right at the point of transaction. The role requires strong technical knowledge of transaction taxes, project management discipline, and a controls mindset. Fervo is scaling rapidly, so this role requires strong ownership, crisp communication, and the ability to partner effectively across Accounting, Finance, Supply Chain, Operations, Legal, Treasury, Commercial, and external advisors.

Responsibilities

Indirect Tax Compliance and Filings

• Own or review sales and use tax, property tax, gross receipts, and other transaction tax filings across multiple states, jurisdictions, and entities.
• Manage use tax accrual processes, reconciliations, and self-assessment for equipment, materials, and contractor spend tied to drilling and construction activity.
• Coordinate external compliance providers and own the completeness and accuracy of data provided to advisors and taxing authorities.
• Maintain clear, audit-ready support documenting purpose, scope, authoritative guidance, inputs, assumptions, conclusions, controls, and reviewer sign-off.

Taxability, Exemptions and Transaction Support

• Oversee taxability and exemption determinations, including manufacturing, resale, and energy-related exemptions relevant to geothermal development and power generation.
• Manage exemption certificate processes, vendor and customer documentation, and direct-pay permits where applicable.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Operations, and Accounts Payable to ensure indirect tax is correctly applied at the point of purchase and to mitigate over- and under-accrual.
• Evaluate indirect tax implications of contracts, projects, and new operating jurisdictions, providing practical guidance and risk mitigation early.

Audit, Controls and Process Improvement

• Manage indirect tax audits, notices, and refund and recovery opportunities through resolution, coordinating with external advisors as needed.
• Build and maintain desktop procedures, process narratives, and control documentation for indirect tax workstreams embedded in recurring workpapers.
• Support SOX readiness and external audit, managing indirect tax PBCs, auditor questions, and review comments.
• Identify automation and standardization opportunities, including tax engine, ERP, and exemption certificate management tools, to reduce manual effort and rework.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Accounting, Treasury, Legal, Supply Chain, Commercial, and FP&A to assess transaction tax impacts of purchasing decisions, project structures, and entity expansion.
• Support indirect tax forecasting and cash impact analysis that informs project budgets and operational decisions.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive indirect tax experience across sales and use and/or property tax, in public accounting, industry, or a combination
• Strong knowledge of multi-state sales and use tax concepts and the ability to research, document, and defend taxability and exemption positions.
• Experience preparing or reviewing indirect tax filings, use tax accruals, and audit-ready workpapers.
• Experience working across multiple entities and jurisdictions, including use tax self-assessment on capital and contractor spend.
• Strong analytical skills and comfort with complex agreements, ERP data, and supporting documentation.
• High attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple high-priority matters under tight filing deadlines, partnering cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or CMI strongly preferred.
• Big Four, national indirect tax, or large-industry tax department experience.
• Experience with construction, drilling, manufacturing, or capital-project indirect tax exposure and exemptions.
• Experience implementing or operating tax engines (e.g., Vertex, Avalara), ERP tax configuration, or exemption certificate management tools.
• Experience in energy, renewable power, infrastructure, or high-growth, multi-entity public-company environments.
• SOX readiness or process documentation experience.

Location

Fervo Energy is headquartered in Houston, TX. This position requires regular in-office presence at our Houston office, with eligibility to participate in the Company's hybrid work policy. Some travel may be required.

Success Profile

• Builds audit-ready workpapers and documentation that a reviewer, auditor, or backup owner can follow easily.
• Owns work end-to-end, follows up until reviewer sign-off, and escalates blockers early.
• Communicates with clear action items, deadlines, and business context.
• Uses technology, AI-enabled drafting, and automation thoughtfully while validating outputs and underlying data.
• Develops repeatable processes and cross-training so the tax and accounting organization can scale sustainably.