Senior Associate - Transaction Taxes & M&A

Smart Tax Search; Sydney; On-site; AUD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High‑quality M&A work

Flexible work culture

Direct partner access

Career progression

Job summary

Smart Tax Search is seeking a Senior Associate to lead Tax M&A and transactional matters in Sydney CBD. You will work with experienced partners on complex deals involving corporates, private equity and multinational groups, advising on tax structuring, due diligence and post‑acquisition matters.

The role offers exposure to high‑quality work with clear progression, flexible terms, and a collaborative culture. A strong drafting ability and client‑facing skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years' experience in Australian corporate tax and exposure to M&A/transactions.
• Experience in a law firm or corporate tax practice is preferred.
• Strong drafting skills and commercial mindset.

Responsibilities

• Advise on tax implications of mergers, acquisitions, divestments and other corporate transactions.
• Provide tax structuring advice and due diligence on domestic and cross-border deals.
• Draft complex tax advice and transaction documents; provide commercially practical recommendations.
• Assist with post-acquisition integration and strategic tax matters.
• Collaborate with corporate and commercial teams to deliver integrated client advice.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients to support practice growth.

Skills

Australian corporate tax

M&A & transactional tax

Legal drafting

Client relationship

Job description

Senior Associate - Transaction Taxes & M&A

Senior Associate – Tax M&A & Transactions

Sydney CBD | $160,000 - $190,000 package (depending on experience)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Tax Senior Associate to join a rapidly expanding Australian law firm, working alongside highly regarded tax partners on complex M&A and transactional matters.

With significant investment in its tax practice, including the recent addition of an established team of senior tax specialists and further strategic hires, this firm is building an impressive presence in the Australian legal market.

Offering the quality of work and expertise associated with leading international law firms, but without the traditional hierarchy, bureaucracy and internal politics, this is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious tax lawyer seeking high-quality work, genuine career progression and a healthy work-life balance.

The Opportunity:

Working closely with experienced partners and senior lawyers, you will play a key role in advising a sophisticated client base, including corporates, private equity investors, multinational groups and privately owned businesses.

The role will have a strong focus on Tax M&A and transactions

providing exposure to complex, commercially significant matters and the opportunity to develop your expertise in a growing and highly regarded practice.

Responsibilities will include:

• Advising on the tax implications of mergers, acquisitions, divestments and other corporate transactions.
• Providing tax structuring advice and undertaking tax due diligence on domestic and cross-border transactions.
• Drafting technically complex tax advice, transaction documentation and commercially focused recommendations.
• Advising on corporate restructures, post-acquisition integration and other strategic tax matters.
• Working collaboratively with corporate and commercial legal teams to deliver integrated advice to clients.
• Building relationships with clients and contributing to the continued growth of the tax practice.

About You:

We are seeking an experienced tax professional with approximately 4-6 years' experience in Australian corporate tax and demonstrated exposure to M&A and transactional matters.

Ideally, you will offer:

• Current or previous experience within a law firm, preferably in a corporate tax or transactional tax practice.
• Strong technical Australian corporate tax knowledge and experience advising on M&A and transactions.
• Excellent legal drafting skills, with the ability to prepare clear, technically robust and commercially practical tax advice.
• Experience working with sophisticated corporate clients, investors or private capital transactions.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative, commercially minded approach.

Candidates from leading professional services firms will also be considered, particularly those with substantial experience drafting complex tax advice and working on transactional matters.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an exciting time to join a firm experiencing significant growth and investment across its legal practices. The tax team has recently undergone a substantial expansion, bringing together experienced practitioners with complementary expertise and an established client base. With further growth anticipated, there is genuine opportunity to play an important role in the development of the practice and progress your career as the team continues to expand.

The firm offers:

• High-quality M&A and transactional tax work alongside experienced and respected tax partners.
• $160,000 - $190,000 package, approximately, depending on experience, with a transparent performance bonus scheme.
• A collaborative, down-to-earth culture with minimal hierarchy and internal politics.
• Genuine flexibility and a strong commitment to work-life balance.
• Direct partner access, mentoring and professional development.
• Clear opportunities for career progression within an expanding tax practice.
• Additional leave benefits, including personal development and birthday leave.

Additional information

• Join a rapidly expanding law firm with an exciting growth trajectory
• Strong focus on Tax M&A, transactions, structuring and due diligence
• Excellent career progression within a growing and ambitious tax practice