Tax Director

dancker•Somerville, NJ

About The Position

The Tax Director is responsible for leading and managing all tax-related activities for the company, with a primary focus on Sales and Use Tax compliance, State and Local Income Taxes, and Payroll-related tax matters. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations while supporting business operations through proactive tax planning, audit management, and process improvement. The Tax Director will serve as the internal subject matter expert on indirect and state taxes for a multi‑state distribution business.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
8–12+ years of progressive tax experience, including:
Sales & Use Tax in a multi‑state environment
State and Local Income/Franchise Taxes
Payroll and employment tax exposure
Proven experience managing tax audits and working with external advisors
Deep knowledge of state and local tax regulations
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills
Ability to communicate complex tax concepts to non‑tax stakeholders
Comfortable operating in a hands‑on, mid‑sized company environment
High attention to detail with strong judgment and ownership mindset
Strategic yet practical; able to balance compliance with business enablement
Collaborative partner to Finance leadership and operational teams
Proactive, solutions‑oriented, and comfortable working with ambiguity

Nice To Haves

CPA and/or MST strongly preferred
Experience in distribution, manufacturing, or similar multi‑entity environments preferred

Responsibilities

Oversee multi‑state sales and use tax compliance, including registrations, filings, and remittances.
Manage exemption certificate processes, documentation, and audits.
Monitor nexus exposure and advise leadership on new state registration and compliance requirements.
Partner with Operations, IT, and ERP teams to ensure accurate tax determination and system configuration.
Manage and respond to state and local sales tax audits, including data requests, negotiations, and resolutions.
Oversee preparation and review of state and local income, franchise, and gross receipts tax filings.
Manage apportionment, sourcing, and filing positions across multiple jurisdictions.
Coordinate with external tax advisors on complex state tax matters and filing support.
Identify tax planning opportunities related to entity structure, business expansion, and operational changes.
Provide oversight of payroll tax compliance, including federal, state, and local filings.
Partner with Payroll and HR to ensure accurate tax treatment of compensation, benefits, and multi‑state employees.
Support payroll tax audits and notices; ensure timely resolution of discrepancies.
Serve as a strategic advisor to Finance and executive leadership on tax implications of business initiatives.
Evaluate tax impacts related to acquisitions, new locations, new revenue streams, and operational changes.
Monitor changes in tax laws and regulations and assess impact on the organization.
Establish and maintain strong tax controls, documentation standards, and internal procedures.
Improve efficiency through process automation and system enhancements.
Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulatory requirements.
Prepare and present tax-related updates, risks, and exposures to senior leadership.
Manage relationships with external tax advisors, auditors, and taxing authorities.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Accounting, FP&A, Payroll, HR, Operations, and IT.
Support month‑end and year‑end close processes related to tax accruals and disclosures.