Managing Director, Tax Operations
BDO USA • Grand Rapids, Michigan • Full Time
Posted on Tue, Sep 29, 2026
Job Summary:
The Managing Director, Tax Operations leads execution of major operational programs and enterprise initiatives across Tax, ensuring alignment between strategy, governance, and delivery. This role serves as a strategic partner to Tax leadership, translating priorities into scalable operating models, cross-functional execution plans, and measurable business outcomes. The Managing Director drives operational excellence by strengthening governance, improving performance visibility, removing execution barriers, and coordinating closely with firmwide functions to advance transformation, efficiency, and long-term growth across the Tax practice.
Job Duties:
Strategic Execution & Program Leadership
- Leads execution of Tax transformation initiatives and other high-priority operational programs
- Translates strategic priorities into actionable plans, clear ownership, and measurable outcomes
- Drives accountability and follow-through across complex, cross-functional efforts
Operating Model Leadership
- Leads implementation and continuous improvement of the Tax operating model to support consistency, scalability, and efficient execution
- Identifies and resolves operational friction across processes, systems, and stakeholder coordination
- Partners with firm functions to ensure alignment on operational priorities, dependencies, and support needs
Governance & Risk Management
- Establishes governance routines, performance tracking, and execution standards to improve visibility and discipline
- Serves as an escalation point for complex operational issues and drive timely resolution
- Promotes alignment with quality, compliance, and risk management expectations
Financial & Performance Oversight
- Partners with Finance and Tax leadership to monitor budgets, operational metrics, and performance trends
- Identifies and advances opportunities to improve profitability, efficiency, and resource utilization
Leadership & Influence
- Acts as a strategic advisor to Tax leadership, using data and insights to inform decisions and execution priorities
- Builds alignment across leaders and functions to advance enterprise and Tax priorities
- Coaches and develops operations leaders and team members as assigned
- Other duties as required
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Oversees operational Directors, Managers, Senior Associates, and Associates as assigned
- Serves as a Career Advisor as assigned
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree, required; with a focus in Accounting or Finance, preferred; or Associate’s degree, High School Diploma, or GED with fifteen (15) or more years of experience in an operations role required, preferably within a public accounting firm
Experience:
- Fifteen (15) or more years of progressive experience in public accounting, professional services, consulting, or a similarly complex matrixed environment, required
- Significant experience leading business operations, practice operations, or enterprise transformation initiatives at scale, required
- Proven success leading large, cross-functional programs from strategy through implementation, including governance, stakeholder alignment, and change execution, required
- Experience advising senior leaders and influencing decisions in a highly collaborative, executive-facing environment, required
- Experience establishing operating rhythms, performance metrics, and management routines to improve execution discipline and business results, preferred
- Demonstrated financial and operational acumen, including experience with budgeting, resource planning, and performance management, preferred
License/Certifications:
- CPA, preferred
- PMP, preferred
Software:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, required
- Experience using collaboration, reporting, and project management tools to support execution and performance visibility, preferred
Language:
- N/A
Other Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Strong strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations
- Excellent executive communication skills, including the ability to influence, align, and build credibility with leaders at all levels
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly collaborative, and evolving environment with competing priorities
- Ability to quickly adopt new technologies and leverage digital tools to improve efficiency, support execution, and enhance collaboration
- Strong project, program, and change management capabilities, including prioritization, risk management, and issue resolution
- Ability to establish structure, drive accountability, and improve execution across complex initiatives and stakeholder groups
- Strong business judgment, professionalism, and discretion, with the ability to manage highly sensitive information
- Ability to lead presentations, facilitate decision-making discussions, and guide stakeholders toward practical solutions
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, develop talent, and work effectively both independently and through others
AuditFriendly salary estimate
The employer did not post a salary for this role. Based on AuditFriendly's salary intelligence model (comparable live postings, role, seniority, and location), we estimate base pay of $183,000–$268,000 per year (median ~$214,000). This is an AuditFriendly estimate, not an employer-provided figure.
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What the data says about this job
- Advertised pay for Tax Director: a median of $200,000 across 715 priced postings. Explore the market
- BDO USA is employee-owned through an ESOP. Who owns the CPA firms
- 1% of BDO USA's 303 tracked postings are more than six months old. Posting hygiene
Measured from employers' own postings and public filings. How we measure