Tax Director

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Overview

The Tax Director assists the University’s senior administration and the Division of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel in researching, analyzing, advocating and formulating positions related to complex federal and state tax compliance, issues and audits with a special focus on the University’s endowment which has a broad range of domestic and international investments and a complex investment structure. This position will be responsible for  tax compliance and planning, with a particular focus on state tax, and will serve as a senior business and tax advisor for all facets of the Yale community including the University’s senior finance administration and the Investments Office. Also, this position will be responsible for a high volume of state tax compliance and tax planning for Yale and certain  related entities, determination and calculation UBTI (including on-campus activities), state extension and state estimated tax payments.

1. Research, analyze and interpret existing and proposed tax laws to determine their applicability to the University’s complex investment structure and diverse array of activities. Develop and implement  appropriate actions including modeling the impact on the university, formulating policies and procedures and/or making recommendations to the appropriate senior university personnel.

2. Work closely with the Office of Senior VP and General Counsel and Investments Office to advise on the structure, planning, and compliance requirements for investments from a tax and disclosure standpoint. Contribute to strategic tax planning with respect to the structuring of  endowment investments.

3. Lead  outsourcing engagements for the tax compliance for Yale University and certain affiliated entities. These filings relate to the endowment activity, activity which is complex and requires a significant degree of expertise in the federal, state, and international tax arena.

4. Review a high volume of federal and state partnership and international information and exempt organization tax returns and oversee federal and state estimated tax and extension payment calculations for the University and related organizations.

5. Represent the University in federal, state, and international tax audits and negotiate and resolve tax and penalty assessments and issues, including conducting research, preparing responses to the Internal Revenue Service, as well as state tax and foreign tax authorities.

6. Serve as a trusted tax advisor to the university community on a wide array of issues, including but not limited to, compliance and risk assessment of remote work locations, proactive tax relief under federal and state provisions, energy tax incentives, payroll and employment tax issues, state tax exemptions, and sales tax.

7. Participate in university initiatives for federal and state tax reform and monitor legislative and regulatory activities that may impact the university.

8. Represent the Tax Department on University-wide committees and work groups.

9. Analyze contracts and other documentation for activities that may give rise to unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) and assist in the development of processes for tracking and identifying unrelated trades or businesses.

10. Review agreements for appropriate tax contact terms.

11. Identify areas of potential federal, state, and international tax exposure and proactively recommend and implement corrective measures in a timely manner.

11.Manage and develop staff.  Delegate tax projects and compliance to tax managers and associates.

12. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

1.Exceptional oral and written communication and research skills, and a strong commitment to accuracy and confidentiality.

2. Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, managing multiple projects with competing priorities.

3. Ability to apply abstract concepts and identify and implement practical solutions.

4. Excellent attention to detail and documentation. High degree of independent judgment, discretion, and tact.

5. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other office software as well as tax compliance software

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business or Finance, and a minimum of ten years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Preferred Skills and Abilities
1. Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including but not limited to analysis of tax law and regulations.2. Strong interpersonal and organization skills with strong attention to detail.
3. Ability to work in diverse, cross-functional teams with limited guidance. Actively solicits differing opinions to ensure understanding of complex issues and acts in a manner that builds and maintains trust. 4. Demonstrated ability to work independently to meet deadlines. Ability to build strong relationships with all business partners and suppliers.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

10 years of progressive tax compliance, research and planning Advanced knowledge of federal and state tax laws and regulations. Significant experience in complex federal and state income tax filings, specifically with corporation tax, tax-exempt and pass-through entity tax filings, exposure to complex tax reporting in a large organization and Big 4 public accounting and CPA strongly preferred.

Principal Responsibilities

1.    Research, analyze and interpret existing and proposed tax laws to determine their applicability to the University’s complex investment structure and diverse array of activities. Develop and implement appropriate actions including modeling the impact on the university, formulating policies and procedures and/or making recommendations to the appropriate senior university personnel.
2.    Work closely with the Office of Senior VP and General Counsel and Investments Office to advise on the structure, planning, and compliance requirements for investments from a tax and disclosure standpoint. Contribute to strategic tax planning with respect to the structuring of endowment investments.
3.    Lead outsourcing engagements for the tax compliance for Yale University and certain affiliated entities. These filings relate to the endowment activity, activity which is complex and requires a significant degree of expertise in the federal, state, and international tax arena.
4.    Review a high volume of federal and state partnership and international information and exempt organization tax returns and oversee federal and state estimated tax and extension payment calculations for the University and related organizations.
5.    Represent the University in federal, state, and international tax audits and negotiate and resolve tax and penalty assessments and issues, including conducting research, preparing responses to the Internal Revenue Service, as well as state tax and foreign tax authorities.
6.    Serve as a trusted tax advisor to the university community on a wide array of issues, including but not limited to, compliance and risk assessment of remote work locations, proactive tax relief under federal and state provisions, energy tax incentives, payroll and employment tax issues, state tax exemptions, and sales tax. 
7.    Participate in university initiatives for federal and state tax reform and monitor legislative and regulatory activities that may impact the university.
8.    Represent the Tax Department on University-wide committees and work groups.
9.    Analyze contracts and other documentation for activities that may give rise to unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) and assist in the development of processes for tracking and identifying unrelated trades or businesses. Review agreements for appropriate tax contact terms.
10.    Identify areas of potential federal, state, and international tax exposure and proactively recommend and implement corrective measures in a timely manner.
11.    Manage and develop staff.  Delegate tax projects and compliance to tax managers and associates.
12.    May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business or Finance, and a minimum of ten years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and related experience. 

Preferred Education and Experience

10 years of progressive tax compliance, research and planning. Advanced knowledge of federal and state tax laws and regulations. Significant experience in complex federal and state income tax filings, specifically with corporation tax, tax-exempt and pass-through entity tax filings, exposure to complex tax reporting in a large organization and Big 4 public accounting and CPA strongly preferred.

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