Director, Tax (Chicago)
DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together. Summary The Director, Tax, working in collaboration with and in support of the firm’s strategic initiatives, is responsible for leading the firm’s domestic and global tax strategy, compliance, planning, governance, and risk management, including coordination with international counterparts to support a consistent and integrated global tax approach. This role serves as a key advisor to firm leadership on tax matters, including tax strategy, regulatory developments, partner-related tax considerations, tax risk, tax compliance, and planning opportunities across jurisdictions. The Director will oversee tax policies, controls, compliance processes, audits, and regulatory inquiries, ensuring that tax considerations are appropriately embedded in business decision-making. This role will work closely with Accounting, FP&A, Payroll, Legal, Human Resources, Operations, and international counterparts to support effective decision-making, tax compliance, and execution of the firm's global tax strategy, while maintaining primary responsibility for the Tax function. Location This position can sit in our New York, Short Hills, or Chicago office and offers a hybrid work schedule. Responsibilities Leads the development and execution of the firm’s domestic and global tax strategy, framework, governance, and controls through coordination with international counterparts. Monitors legislative and regulatory changes across jurisdictions and advises leadership on potential tax impacts, risks, and planning opportunities. Provides strategic tax guidance related to partner compensation, partner capital, tax allocations, partner reporting, and related tax considerations. Reviews the partnership agreement and associated policy documents from a tax perspective and recommends updates to address evolving business, tax, and regulatory considerations. Prepares and delivers executive-level presentations and analyses, including tax risk summaries, scenario modeling, planning opportunities, and strategic recommendations for firm leadership. Acts as a trusted advisor to executive leadership by translating complex tax matters into clear, actionable business insights. Provides oversight of tax compliance activities, audits, and regulatory inquiries, ensuring appropriate controls and processes are in place. Represents the firm in significant audits, disputes, and interactions with tax authorities, particularly in high-risk or complex matters. Drives partner education initiatives, including development of materials and communications related to tax matters, partner compensation, capital, and reporting. Oversight of the payroll department- ensuring compliance of federal, state, local, and international tax compliance as well as other payroll compliance matters. Partners closely with Accounting and FP&A leadership to evaluate the tax implications of business decisions, partner matters, financial results, forecasting assumptions, legal entity activities, and strategic initiatives. Partners across Accounting, FP&A, Payroll, Finance, Legal, Human Resources, Operations, and international counterparts to ensure tax considerations are appropriately identified, evaluated, and addressed in business decisions. Establishes, maintains, and enhances tax governance, tax policies, processes, and internal controls to support compliance and mitigate risk. Advises on investment partnership matters and provides vendor oversight related to tax compliance and tax reporting. Provides tax oversight and guidance related to foreign subsidiaries and cross-border tax matters. Leads and manages a team of tax professionals, including coaching, mentoring, performance feedback, and professional development. Performs other duties as assigned. Desired Skills Domestic and global tax compliance, planning, governance, and risk management, including experience coordinating with international counterparts. Partnership tax, partner compensation, capital, allocations, and reporting. Experience advising senior leadership on tax risks, regulatory changes, audits, and planning opportunities. Experience managing tax professionals and external tax advisors. Strong understanding of tax governance, controls, and cross-functional tax processes. Strong technical tax expertise, including partnership tax, federal, state, local, and international tax matters. Ability to translate complex tax issues into clear, executive-level insights and recommendations. Strong judgment, risk assessment, and issue-spotting capabilities. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to partner effectively with senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and international counterparts. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with Accounting, FP&A, and business leadership teams to translate complex tax issues into actionable business recommendations. Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, compliance, and governance. Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities. Minimum Education Bachelor’s Degree in Tax, Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field. Preferred Education Master’s Degree in Taxation, Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field. Certificates Certified Public Accountant, Juris Doctor, or other relevant tax credential preferred. Minimum Years Of Experience 10 years’ progressive tax experience, preferably within a professional services, law firm, partnership, or complex global organization. Essential Job Expectations Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties. Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner. Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product. Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required. Foster positive work relationships. Comply with all firm policies and practices. Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed. Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment. Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned. Physical Demands Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Work Environment The individual selected for this position may have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement comprised of remote and in-office work, the requirement for which will be determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor and may be modified in the firm’s discretion in the future. Disclaimer The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment. Accommodation Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact [email protected]. Agency applications will not be considered. No immigration sponsorship is available for this position. The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $300,000 - $350,000 per year depending on the candidate’s geographic market location. The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits, including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k). Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntarily and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law. DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Job applicant poster viewing center. J-
