US, Head of Tax

Genentech • Daly City, CA

1d • $311,000 - $384,510 • Onsite

About The Position

As the Head of Tax for Genentech, you are the strategic leader of the tax function for Roche's US Pharmaceuticals division. You are fully accountable for overseeing all US Pharma tax operations, ensuring compliance, optimizing tax positions, and aligning local tax strategies with the Global Group Tax framework. Based in South San Francisco, you play a pivotal role in advising executive leadership on the tax implications of commercial strategies, business development, and operational changes. Reporting directly to the Area Tax Director US based in the US, you lead a dedicated team of tax professionals and act as the primary bridge between the US Pharma business and Global Tax leadership in Basel, ensuring financial integrity and strategic alignment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Tax, ideally paired with a CPA and/or JD.
• Proven track record of leading a complex tax function within a large multinational corporate environment, preferably in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences industry.
• Deep, advanced knowledge of US federal, state, and local corporate taxation, as well as a strong understanding of international tax principles and transfer pricing.
• Extensive experience managing large-scale IRS and state tax audits, with strong negotiation skills and the courage to manage challenging controversies with sound judgment.
• Exceptional ability to build trust and partner effectively with global headquarters (Basel), local executive leadership, external auditors, and authorities.
• Demonstrated success in modernizing tax functions, utilizing technology and process optimization to improve efficiency.
• Exceptional ability to build and lead high-performing, cross-functional teams while fostering talent development.
• Fluent in English with excellent written and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the US Pharma tax vision in alignment with the Global Group Tax strategy. Responsible for end-to-end tax operations, optimizing the division's annual tax expenses while managing operational costs.
• Oversee US transfer pricing compliance and strategy execution in strict alignment with the Global Group Tax framework. Responsible for ensuring robust local documentation (IRC Section 482), defending intercompany pricing policies during IRS audits, and advising the Genentech business on the local tax implications of cross-border supply chain, R&D, and intellectual property transactions.
• Lead the documentation and defense of Genentech’s tax positions. Responsible for managing complex US tax audits (IRS and state level) and representing the company in front of external tax authorities.
• Act as the primary tax advisor for Genentech’s business development initiatives. Provide comprehensive tax structuring, due diligence, and post-merger integration support for significant licensing deals, joint ventures, acquisitions, and divestitures.
• Lead the preparation and review of the income tax provisions and the related financial statement reporting. This includes evaluating and documenting reserves for uncertain tax positions and maintaining compliant internal controls over the tax reporting process.
• Serve as an official officer and/or board member for specific Genentech and Roche US legal entities. Hold signature authority for these entities and are responsible for executing legal and tax documents, ensuring robust corporate governance and compliance at the local level.
• Provide tax counseling on various issues arising from commercial contracts, litigation, settlement agreements, charitable donations, and Genentech Foundation matters.
• Oversee the SSF-based tax team. This includes the direct management, mentoring, and development of key local People Managers, ensuring strong leadership bench strength and a culture of continuous learning.
• Proven experience in change management and organizational restructuring. Possess the leadership skills necessary to quickly stabilize operations, address coverage gaps, and collaborate effectively with People & Culture (P&C) to build a resilient, well-supported team structure.
• Collaborate closely with Legal, Treasury, and People & Culture (P&C). This includes advising on US entity funding, capital contributions, and supporting P&C/Payroll on tax-related benefits, relocation, and remote work matters.
• Drive innovation, process improvement, and automation within the US tax function to ensure high-quality, sustainable deliverables, and cost efficiency.

Benefits

• Relocation assistance is available.
• A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.
• This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive