VP Finance, Global Tax

Thousands of us around the world wake up every day with a common purpose: to make the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place. Science is in our DNA; we are endlessly curious and passionate about seeking and speaking the truth. We take delight in knowing that our work makes a meaningful contribution to society, and we are proud that our culture is centered on integrity, collaboration, inclusion and excellence. UL stands at the forefront of technological advancement, and we are continually challenged to find new ways to foster innovation and positive change. Satisfying? Yes. Exciting? Absolutely!

The Vice President Finance - Global Tax will have the experience and vision to lead and develop a strong global tax team working with cross-functional teams to support domestic and international operations. The successful candidate will possess a financial and tax accounting background with strong experience with cross border tax, an ability to communicate complex tax concepts simply, financial savvy, good business judgment, strong leadership skills, as well as the ability to build trustworthy relationships with staff, business partners, employees, outside service providers and government authorities at all levels globally. The VP Global Tax will enjoy a hybrid work environment teaming with 15 talented direct and indirect reports, cross functional finance and business professionals and outside service providers to meet on-going business tax requirements.

Responsibilities:

Overall

• Act as a tax advisor to the CFO and Senior Management Team and be an active member of the Company’s finance leadership team partnering directly with the CFO, Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer & SVP of FP&A.
• Represent the Tax Department with internal stakeholders, aligning tax department resources to resolve issues as well as suggest tax efficient alternatives.
• Represent the Company and its tax positions to external stakeholders including financial statement auditors, tax authorities, customers and vendors.

Research and Planning

• Identify and support initiatives to deliver the lowest sustainable effective tax rate and reduce current cash taxes.
• Forecast the effective tax rate for planning and reporting, and expected cash tax impacts.
• Support the business in navigating new business ventures/international markets/growth cross-border financing and deploying applicable effective tax structures.
• Support Treasury in tax efficient cash repatriation efforts.
• Support tax related aspects of M&A activity including structuring and planning and communicating tax implications to the internal transaction team, outside counsel, and executive leadership.
• Monitor new and proposed tax legislation impacting the company and provide risk and opportunity assessments to management and ensure ongoing compliance.
• Monitor and manage global permanent establishment and state and local tax nexus.
• Develop and maintain relationships throughout the organization to increase understanding of the business and potential impacts on tax compliance and strategy.

Tax Operations – Compliance & Reporting

• Oversee and approve the preparation of federal, state and local income tax returns and filings
• Oversee and approve quarterly and annual tax provision  in accordance ASC 740, including footnote disclosures.  Quarterly and annual reporting and SOX processes consistent with strong public company standards.
• Oversee and advise on tax audits, evaluate audit findings, defend tax positions, review and coordinate responses to inquiries from and present to and communicate with tax authorities, to ensuring tax audits are resolved at acceptable levels as promptly as possible.
• Oversee transfer pricing analysis and calculations and maintenance of transfer pricing documentation and other international tax reporting requirements.
• Oversee indirect tax processes including sales & use tax, VAT, excise, and property taxes compliance, audit management and tax related customer impacts.
• Oversee external resources in the preparation of the company's federal, state and local income tax returns, and international filings.
• Drive and implement continuous improvement and best practices in the global tax function to support companies continued growth and expansion both through organic initiatives as well as through our acquisition strategy
• Establish, administer, oversee, and maintain tax policies, practices, and procedures

Leadership

• Lead and support an efficient and high performing team that accomplishes the department's goals and objectives and adheres to policies and procedures
• Develop team members by creating an environment where they are challenged, motivated, mentored for advancement and feel valued and included.
• Foster an environment of continuous improvement focusing on streamlining, improving, and automating processes.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting required with Master’s Degree in Taxation or JD/LLM in tax and CPA preferred.
• 15 years of income tax experience required, ideally gained from a mix of public accounting and corporate tax roles with Big 4 accounting experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of ASC 740 accounting for income taxes, including stock-based compensation, valuation allowance analysis, and uncertain tax positions and applicable SEC requirements.
• Extensive experience with cross border tax planning, global tax regulations, international tax compliance, and foreign entity reporting practices.
• Strong knowledge of federal US and state and local tax, global indirect tax, and US GAAP accounting principles and reporting
• Excellent oral and written communication and analytical skills; ability to communicate complex analysis in a clear, simple way; able to effectively communicate with and influence non-tax business leaders with ability to adjust and adapt messaging style, according to the audience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to work independently and make judgment-based decisions with a good sense for when escalation and additional communication may be necessary.
• Strong aptitude for identifying and implementing process improvements, including the use of new tax technology and automation tools.
• Proven success managing and prioritizing multiple projects and critical timelines across a fast-paced and continually changing environment.
• Demonstrates a strong value system and an ethical sense of judgment; conveys those values within the tax team and across the business.
• UL has COVID-19 protocols and policies in place to ensure the safety of our employees, customers and clients. Effective November 1, 2021, the company mandates that employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment (except where prohibited by law), subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law.

• Mission: For UL, corporate and social responsibility isn’t new. Making the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place has been our business model for the last 128 years and is deeply engrained in everything we do.   
• People: Ask any UL employee what they love most about working here, and you’ll almost always hear, “the people.” Going beyond what is possible is the standard at UL. We’re able to deliver the best because we employ the best.   

• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here as we eagerly anticipate the next innovation that our customers create. We’re inspired to take on the challenge that will transform how people live, work and play. And as a global company, in many roles, you will get international experience working with colleagues around the world.   
• Grow & Achieve: We learn, work and grow together with targeted development, reward and recognition programs as well as our very own UL University that offers extensive training programs for employees at all stages, including a technical training track for applicable roles. 
• Total Rewards: All employees at UL are eligible for bonus compensation and benefits commensurate with the standard rewards offered in each individual location or country, for the relevant position level. We also provide employees with paid time off including vacation, holiday and sick time off.