Senior Director, Tax & Regulatory Services

Department: Tax and Regulatory Services
Salary/Grade: EXS/14

Job Summary:

The Office of Tax and Regulatory Services provides guidance concerning University tax matters and state and local business registrations. Tax and Regulatory Services provides tax advisory and analytical services to enable schools, departments, and units to achieve their business needs while helping maintain compliance and protection of the University's tax-exempt status. Northwestern operates with annual expenses exceeding $3.0 billion, total investments in excess of $14.0 billion (representing one of the largest endowments in the country), more than $1.0 billion in annual research awards, and total long-term taxable and tax-exempt debt outstanding of $2.4 billion.

The Office of Tax and Regulatory Services works diligently as a team to cultivate a positive culture and mindful work environment. Its scope of work directly supports the education and research mission of the University, while also ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. A mindset of stewardship, professional excellence, and a customer-service orientation are valued. The Senior Director reports to the Assistant Vice President for Finance, within the organization of the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The Senior Director, Tax and Regulatory Services role supervises a team of three professionals.

The Senior Director, Tax and Regulatory Services role represents the AVP for Finance as necessary and contributes to cross-functional initiatives to enhance the delivery of financial services across the University. They will represent the university on tax issues in professional organizations and the higher education community. While reporting directly to the AVP, the Senior Director will work with the University's Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and others in the ongoing development of a best-in-class central administration to support Northwestern's pursuit of excellence.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Leading development and implementation of tax reporting and compliance solutions
  • IRS Tax reporting (Forms 990 and 990-T, excise taxes)
  • Forms 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC
  • Tax-exempt business income and financing (sales tax, UBIT, debt transactions)
  • ASC 740 Income Taxes (formerly FIN 48) reporting for GAAP financials
• Serving as a University resource for:
  • International tax matters, including liaising with external resources, monitoring trends in the global higher education regulatory landscape, and advising senior leadership on risks, recommended priorities, and business decisions
  • Athletics matters, including the evolving landscape of athletics and recreation, for matters impacting the industry, the university, and related business processes, contracts, and facilities
• Campus collaboration, including:
  • Partnering with Human Resources who separately oversees HR-specific tax matters, including payroll tax, executive compensation, and benefits
  • Managing the design and operation of internal, cross-functional tax matters with campus partners including Office of the Controller, the Investments Office, the Office of General Counsel, and Athletics
• Analyzing regulatory pronouncements and tax law changes for impact
• Oversight of business registrations and unclaimed property
• Serving as primary contact for and assisting with tax audits, including preparation of responses to documentation requests
• Will perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or related field.
• Minimum 7-10 years management experience in progressively responsible positions.
• Federal exempt organization tax experience gained in a major accounting firm, law firm, university or other non-profit organization.
• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in the use of spreadsheet, database and word processing software.
• Experience with and deep understanding of tax-exempt reporting
• Strong research skills and solid experience with the Internal Revenue Code and online regulatory or industry information services
• Experience in organizing and writing reports and in presenting to all levels of management; ability to interact with staff at all levels; ability to communicate technical financial information to non-financial end-users
• Ability to manage shifting priorities for self and team. Well organized and able to ensure deliverables are met on time and anticipates implementation or workload issues.
• Experience setting a tone and expectation of excellence, continual improvement, and strong customer service.
• Ability to translate regulations into actionable, best practice, cost-effective solutions.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Licensed Certified Public Accountant and experience in higher education or exempt organization is strongly preferred.
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree, LLM in Tax, or other advanced Taxation degree.
• Big 4/public accounting experience.
• Experience with Internal Revenue Service inquiries, reviews, and/or audits.
• Experience with the annual financial statement reporting process and related audits, as it pertains to tax matters.
• Ability to cultivate trust and cooperation with internal and external partners. Sound judgment, tact, and diplomatic skills are critical.
• Experience in a higher education or non-profit setting with global initiatives.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $138,311-$194,501 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.