Director - Tax Research

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY:
This position is responsible for leading a team of approximately 30 tax research & solution engineer professionals responsible for the research, analysis, interpretation, application, design logic & rules to create and maintain our North America Indirect Tax content (our “intellectual property”) for all legacy and O-series products. This includes standard & non-standard rates, and all verticals (retail, leasing, hospitality) including the Comm Tax Vertical. The role will have a deep grasp of current tax issues and environments that impact multinational corporations, tax risk management principles, and transparency requirements. The role will require strong leadership skills in working with cross functional teams to drive results and operational efficiencies. The role must have a deep grasp of the use of technology by tax teams to drive automation and efficiencies.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Act as Subject Matter Expert (SME), sustaining the Vertex Brand in the marketplace of Vertex as an Indirect Tax leader. 
•  Contribute expert perspective to the development of business strategies related to Indirect Tax. 
•  Influence product direction and content roadmaps for US Indirect Taxes, particularly with respect to Vertex O Series products. 
•  Establish Processes and Service Level Agreements with Key Stakeholders like Product Management, Sales, VC & Customer Support to improve working relationships, operational efficiency & customer satisfaction. 
•  Manage the review, interpretation, and testing of complex tax scenarios to create and maintain the tax rules within the software assuring accurate tax results. - Support and advise on matters of U.S. law and taxation. 
•  Lead Tax Research automation technology projects with the Cognitive Center of Excellence Team to drive efficiencies in the day-to-day process and increase capacity among the team to build new content to grow our Core Business. 
•  Support direct selling & marketing efforts to select and/or targeted strategic accounts as needed or based on upcoming new content releases. 
•  Produce thought leadership documents and on-line materials related to Indirect Tax as required. 
•  Ensure timely and accurate monthly updates for all content for all products per the various production schedules. 
•  Represent Vertex in tax industry forums associated with Indirect Tax. 
•  Represent Vertex at User Group, CAB and Exchange Meetings 
•  Develop internal educational resources and processes on Indirect Tax. - Supports partner development efforts pertaining to Indirect Tax. 
•  Stay abreast of major trends in Indirect Tax 
•  Other projects as requested by management. 
•  Participate in other projects or duties.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Determine appropriate resourcing of staff to achieve goals and objectives. 
•  Build an effective leadership team through mentoring and formal education that focuses on management and project management principles. 
•  Define annual Key Performance Indicators aligned with corporate goals. 
•  Direct and mentor leaders on performance gaps, career development opportunities, and strategies. 
•  Direct and coach leaders on all human resource related processes including onboarding, performance management, succession planning, employee relations, selection, terminations, compensation, and rewards. 
•  Accountable for collective results and recognizing others’ contributions and share credit for success. 
•  Own attainment of high employee satisfaction and retention; lead development of program and initiatives within group to attain high employee satisfaction. 
•  Lead change management initiatives to drive improvements and efficiencies. 
•  Ability to interact collaboratively and communicate effectively with external, internal customers, and stakeholders to address issues and ensure alignment. 
•  Prepare and manage budget as assigned; analyzes variances and initiates corrective actions to maximize operational performance.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
• Strong depth and breadth of Indirect Tax and technology and how they combine into appropriate tax process management solutions. 
•  Excellent communication skills (oral, written, problem solving & presentation) to various audience’s executives, customers, government groups and industry analysts. 
•  Excellent understanding of Indirect Tax and business trends. 
•  Knowledge of Vertex products and services a plus. 
•  Strong leadership skills, ability to effectively manage large and diverse teams and the ability to influence at all levels. 
•  Strong creativity, facilitation, relationship building, and conflict management skills required. 
•  Ability to apply broad expertise or unique knowledge and professional concepts to develop resolutions to critical issues. 
•  Ability to manage multiple complex, high visibility or high impact projects simultaneously. 
•  Ability to work without supervision. Complete latitude for decision making. 
•  Ability to create formal networks with key decision makers. 
•  Ability to listen and understand information and communicate the same. 
•  Must possess strong interpersonal, organizational, and facilitation skills. 
•  Must be results oriented and customer focused. 
•  Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business, Tax, or Finance. 
•  Advanced degree or other certification preferred. 
•  Twelve (12) plus years of experience in business related experience in a multi-jurisdictional tax environment with a diverse industry or consulting background. 
•  Five (5) plus years of leadership experience. 
•  At least 6+ years of project management experience. 
•  Or equivalent combination of education and/or experience

Other Qualifications
The Winning Way behaviors that all Vertex employees need in order to meet the expectations of each other, our customers, and our partners.
• Communicate with Clarity - Be clear, concise and actionable. Be relentlessly constructive. Seek and provide meaningful feedback.
• Act with Urgency - Adopt an agile mentality - frequent iterations, improved speed, resilience. 80/20 rule – better is the enemy of done. Don’t spend hours when minutes are enough.
• Work with Purpose - Exhibit a “We Can” mindset. Results outweigh effort. Everyone understands how their role contributes. Set aside personal objectives for team results.
• Drive to Decision - Cut the swirl with defined deadlines and decision points. Be clear on individual accountability and decision authority. Guided by a commitment to and accountability for customer outcomes.
• Own the Outcome - Defined milestones, commitments and intended results. Assess your work in context, if you’re unsure, ask. Demonstrate unwavering support for decisions.

COMMENTS:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals in this position. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.