Senior Tax Counsel - US Tax Planning, Controversy & Transactions

Ford • Dearborn, MI

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Tax Counsel will serve as a key member of the Company’s global tax organization and provide legal support across a broad range of U.S. domestic tax matters. This role will focus on domestic tax planning, tax controversy (audit and appeals), and strategic transaction support, including mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, joint ventures, and financing transactions.
The ideal candidate will have 7+ years of experience in a leading law firm, accounting firm, or corporate tax department and possess strong technical tax expertise, sound business judgment, and the ability to collaborate effectively with other members of the Tax function and across legal, finance, treasury, accounting, and business teams. Experience with federal energy tax credits, government incentives, and advanced manufacturing incentives is a plus.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 7+ years of relevant tax experience with a major law firm, accounting firm, or large multinational corporation.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. federal income tax principles, including corporate taxation, partnership taxation, tax accounting methods and transaction structuring.
• Experience supporting IRS audits and tax controversy matters.
• Experience advising on mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, and other corporate transactions.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to communicate complex tax concepts to non-tax stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the automotive, manufacturing, industrial, or energy sectors.
• Experience with federal and state tax credits, including clean energy and advanced manufacturing incentives.
• Experience interacting directly with senior executives and business leaders.
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
• Ability to balance technical excellence with practical business solutions.
• Effective collaborator across diverse functions and geographic regions.
• Strong judgment, integrity, and professional presence.
• Ability to manage multiple complex matters in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Advise business leaders and tax leadership on U.S. domestic tax matters affecting the Company’s operations, investments, and strategic initiatives.
• Analyze and structure complex transactions to achieve tax-efficient outcomes while managing risk and ensuring compliance.
• Provide legal support for financing transactions, supply chain initiatives, manufacturing investments, intellectual property arrangements, and other business initiatives.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and administrative developments and assess their impact on the Company.
• Collaborate with accounting, treasury, legal, and business teams on tax implications of operational decisions, and the development and implementation of tax strategies.
• Support responses to IRS tax examinations.
• Assist in the development of audit strategies and defend complex tax issues.
• Prepare technical memoranda, protest letters, ruling requests, and other submissions to taxing authorities.
• Coordinate with outside counsel and advisors on significant tax controversies.
• Support administrative appeals, alternative dispute resolution efforts, and litigation matters as needed.
• Provide tax support for acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, restructurings, and other strategic transactions.
• Conduct tax due diligence and evaluate transaction risks and opportunities.
• Assist in drafting and negotiating tax provisions in purchase agreements, joint venture agreements, financing documents, and other transaction-related contracts.
• Partner with corporate strategy, finance, and legal teams throughout the transaction lifecycle.
• Advise on the federal tax treatment and monetization of energy-related tax credits and incentives, including advanced manufacturing and clean energy programs.
• Support tax analysis related to domestic incentive packages associated with manufacturing and capital investment projects.
• Monitor developments involving energy tax credits, transferable credits, direct pay mechanisms, and related regulatory guidance.

Benefits

• generous PTO
• retirement
• savings and stock investment plans
• incentive compensation
• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days
• paid parental leave
• new parent ramp-up programs
• subsidized back-up child care
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement
• fertility treatments
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree