Director, State and Local Tax

Zoetis is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Senior Director of State and Local Taxes. This role is pivotal in managing and optimizing our state and local tax functions, ensuring compliance, and supporting the company's growth and strategic initiatives.

This individual will be responsible for managing the overall state and local tax function at Zoetis. Responsibilities will include managing state and local income tax provision, state income tax compliance, mergers and acquisitions, state tax integrations, audit defense, process improvements, state tax planning, state tax modeling, and planning for and compliance with state credits and incentives.

Responsibilities will also include collaboration with other members of the Zoetis tax function on various initiatives including the development and execution of state tax planning initiatives, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, other commercial arrangements, tax controversy, and tax compliance.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the state and local income tax team, providing strategic direction and oversight.
• Oversee the preparation and review of quarterly and annual state and local income tax provisions to ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations.
• Work closely with external providers in the preparation and review of state income tax returns, return to provision true-up, estimated tax payments and extensions.
• Monitor state activities for filing responsibilities and nexus exposure.
• Manage the state and local tax aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and integrations ensuring tax-efficient structures and compliance.
• Lead and manage state and local tax audits and inquiries, including developing strategies for audit defense and resolution.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the state and local tax function.
• Assist with the preparation and/or review of state income tax modeling in connection with the state effective tax rate, planning opportunities, merger and acquisitions and tax reform.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to obtain and review data for apportionment calculations.
• Work closely with other members of the tax team and cross-functional teams on various initiatives, including tax planning, compliance, controversy and potential or enacted legislation to determine the impact on Zoetis's existing and future state tax positions.
• Research tax issues and draft technical memos to support state income tax filing positions and state tax technical positions related to state treatment of federal tax laws.
• Oversee the identification, application, and compliance for state and local tax credits and incentives.
• Participate in and/or lead discussions with state and local authorities regarding incentives for new plant construction, plant expansion, and similar initiatives.
• Collaborate on transfer pricing matters to ensure compliance and optimize state tax positions.
• Responsible for maintenance and adherence to policies that create a strong internal control environment under Sarbanes-Oxley for the overall state function.
• Lead and/or assist with various special projects as needed.

Qualifications (Training, Education & Prior Experience):

Education

• Undergraduate degree in accounting or equivalent.
• CPA preferred.
• Masters in taxation and/or J.D. a plus.

Experience

• Minimum of 10-15 years of relevant state income and franchise tax compliance, tax accounting and/or consulting experience.
• Minimum of 10-15 years related business experience with excellent research, writing and oral presentation skills.
• Experience in public accounting is a plus.
• In-depth knowledge of state and local income tax reporting and compliance matters.
• Experience with handling and negotiating state and local tax audits.
• Experience with state and local tax restructurings and tax planning modeling.
• Experience in identifying, analyzing and communicating complicated tax issues in terms of impact on business operations.
• Experience with state impact of federal tax law changes.
• Experience with OneSource tax applications, Hyperion Financial Systems and SAP is a plus.

Skills

• Strong analytical, technical, and technology skills.
• Strong knowledge of income tax accounting reporting and standards (ASC 740).
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to identify and communicate a broad range of tax opportunities and risks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to embrace change and be flexible to changing business needs.
• Well-organized with an attention to detail.
• Strong process and project management skills.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.

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