As the Director of M&A & Tax Planning you will play a key role in the Tax Organization reporting to the Senior Director of Tax Planning & Audit Controversy. This position will serve as a strategic business partner in advising and supporting global M&A activities from a tax perspective. This position will also identify, develop, and execute federal tax planning strategies that support the business operations, drive value and minimize tax exposure.

This role is designated as a hybrid role which includes working at least 3 days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) in our office located in Deerfield, IL to foster better collaboration, connection, and innovation.

What You Will Be Doing

• Work as part of a multi-functional team, including Business Development, Legal, Treasury, Accounting and HR, to support global M&A activities.
• Lead the tax due diligence process, including the identification of any pre and post-closing tax risks and mitigation strategies with respect to any such risks. Coordinate and collaborate with the Director of International Tax, Director of State Tax, and Senior Director of Operating Taxes to identify and address any tax risks in their respective areas.
• Review and provide comments on stock purchase agreements, merger agreements, asset purchase agreements and other relevant agreements from a tax perspective. Prepare and coordinate on any tax elections, statements, or other documentation necessary from a tax perspective.
• Identify, model, develop and execute pre and post-acquisition opportunities that drive value and minimize tax exposure, including through optimizing transaction structure. Work as part of a multi-functional team to support any post-acquisition integration opportunities (e.g., legal entity simplification, changes in operating model, etc.).
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Director of International Tax, Director of State Tax, and Senior Director of Operating Taxes to ensure that any issues impacting the business are accurately identified and addressed (e.g., changes to jurisdictional footprint, transfer pricing, etc.).
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Director of Tax Accounting and the Director of Federal Tax and Global Compliance, to (1) review and support the documentation of certain tax attributes (e.g., basis, E&P, etc.) and other calculations critical to the transaction (e.g., 382 limitation, etc.), (2) ensure that the transaction is accurately reflected in the company’s income tax provision and tax returns, (3) review and support purchase accounting from a tax perspective, and (4) manage related FIN 48 exposure analysis and documentation.
• Prepare slide decks and memos summarizing the transaction and related tax consequences. Prepare and maintain audit ready tax documentation and support the transaction and expected tax consequences under audit.
• Identify, model, develop and execute on federal tax planning strategies that support the business operations, drive value and minimize tax exposure (e.g., legal entity simplification, changes in operating model, etc.). Collaborate with the Director of International Tax, Director of State Tax, and other Directors and Senior Directors on the federal tax implications of various foreign and state tax restructurings and planning strategies.
• Research and analyze the latest developments in US and international tax legislation as they relate to M&A and Tax Planning activities.
• Provide leadership to Tax Department and collaborative support to the other Tax Directors.

Basic Qualifications

• Education: JD from an accredited law school
• Experience: Extensive experience in M&A transactions and tax planning at a large law firm, big 4 accounting firm, or industry role (at least 10 years required, 15 years preferred).
• 5 years of experience managing people and demonstrated leadership experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to partner effectively with a number of functional areas, including Business Development, Legal, Treasury, Accounting and HR, as well as partner within the Tax Department.
• Proven ability to clearly communicate complex tax issues, opportunities, and risks to non-tax stakeholders.
• Project management skills, including managing all aspects of relationships with internal and external resources and prioritizing deliverables to meet timelines.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with a pragmatic approach to resolving issues and providing advice.