Tax Director

Yale University; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 180,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut is seeking a Tax Director to assist with tax compliance, planning, and advocacy for the University’s extensive investment structure. The role involves managing tax projects, advising on compliance and investments, and representing the University during audits.

Candidates should possess a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance and a minimum of ten years of relevant experience. The position offers a salary range of $180,000 – $234,000 and seeks an individual with exceptional communication and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years of progressive tax compliance and research experience.
• Advanced knowledge of federal and state tax laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Research and analyze tax laws to develop compliance strategies.
• Advise on investment structures from a tax perspective.
• Lead tax compliance for Yale University and affiliated entities.
• Oversee federal and state tax return reviews and calculations.
• Represent the University in tax audits and negotiations.
• Identify and mitigate tax exposure risks.

Skills

Exceptional oral and written communication skills

Research skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Attention to detail

Ability to manage multiple projects

Understanding of tax compliance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business or Finance

Tools

Tax compliance software

Job description

Overview

The salary range for this position is $180,000 – $234,000. The Tax Director will assist 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. The role will be responsible for tax compliance and planning, particularly state tax, and serve as a senior business and tax advisor across the Yale community.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional oral and written communication and research skills, with a strong commitment to accuracy and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, managing multiple projects with competing priorities.
• Ability to apply abstract concepts and identify and implement practical solutions.
• Excellent attention to detail and documentation. High degree of independent judgment, discretion, and tact.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other office software as well as tax compliance software.

Principal Responsibilities

• 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, formulating policies, procedures, and providing recommendations.
• 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 for endowment investments.
• Lead outsourcing engagements for the tax compliance for Yale University and certain affiliated entities, ensuring expertise in federal, state, and international tax matters.
• Review a high volume of federal and state partnership and international information and exempt organization tax returns; oversee federal and state estimated tax and extension payment calculations.
• Represent the University in federal, state, and international tax audits and negotiate and resolve tax and penalty assessments, including responding to the IRS and state and foreign tax authorities.
• Serve as a trusted tax advisor on a broad range of issues: compliance and risk assessment of remote work locations, proactive tax relief, energy tax incentives, payroll and employment tax issues, state tax exemptions, and sales tax.
• Participate in federal and state tax reform initiatives and monitor legislative and regulatory activities that may impact the university.
• Represent the Tax Department on university-wide committees and work groups.
• Analyze contracts and agreements for activities that may generate unrelated business taxable income; develop processes for tracking and identifying UBTI.
• Identify areas of potential federal, state, and international tax exposure and recommend corrective measures in a timely manner.
• Manage and develop staff; delegate tax projects and compliance tasks to managers and associates.
• 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, particularly with corporation tax, tax-exempt and pass-through entity filings, and experience with large organization reporting and Big 4 public accounting and CPA strongly preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).