Director, State & Local Tax

Job Description

The Director, Tax (State & Local Tax Controversy and Tax Technical) will lead all aspects of state and local income tax audits and controversy management, while also serving as a key technical resource for SALT planning and tax accounting. This role will be instrumental in ensuring that tax positions are not only defensible and audit-ready, but also properly reflected in the company's financial statements in accordance with ASC 740. The ideal candidate will bring over 10 years of experience in SALT controversy and technical tax matters, with a strong command of state tax law, audit procedures, and tax accounting principles.
Your Role Accountabilities...
• Lead and manage all multi-state income tax audits and controversy matters, including:
• Strategic audit planning and risk mitigation
• Preparing responses and workpapers to audit inquiries and managing information requests
• Negotiating settlements and managing protests, appeals, and voluntary disclosure agreements
• Engaging and overseeing external advisors as needed
• Providing regular updates to senior leadership on audit status, potential assessments, and forecasted payments
• Collaborate with SALT planning, compliance, and reporting teams to identify, evaluate, and quantify areas of tax risk and exposure.
• Serve as a key technical advisor on complex SALT issues, including:
• New business initiatives and product launches
• Legislative and regulatory developments
• Mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions
• Ensure technical positions are thoroughly documented and aligned with audit and financial reporting standards.
• Support the proper financial reporting of controversy related matters under ASC 740, including:
• Uncertain tax positions (UTPs)
• Forecast timing of settlements
• Statute expirations
• Footnote disclosures
• Assist in the development and documentation of internal tax policies, procedures, and SOX-compliant controls

Qualifications & Experience...
• 10+ years of experience in state and local income tax, with a strong focus on controversy, technical tax matters, and tax accounting
• CPA or LLM Required
• Proven experience managing audits and controversy processes, including settlements, protests, appeals, and voluntary disclosures
• In-depth knowledge of state tax law, regulations, and case law and ability to apply that knowledge to complex issues impacting the business
• Strong technical expertise in ASC 740, including experience with tax provision processes, UTPs, and financial statement disclosures
• Excellent technical writing skills with the ability to clearly memorialize tax positions and support documentation
• Strong communication, negotiation, presentation and organizational skills
• Experience with Multistate Tax Commission (MTC) audits or initiatives
• Experience in both income and indirect tax
• Experience working in the media and entertainment industry
• Ability to collaborate with a global team
• Experience with various ERP systems (Oracle, PeopleSoft and SAP), tax provision/compliance software (OneSource), and research tools (BNA, CCH)
• Experience with tax technology transformation or process automation
• Public company experience

Championing Inclusion at WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.
If you're a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.
In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery's total compensation package for employees. Pay Range: $153,545.00 - $285,155.00 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-366e8n-216-73-216-125-42 in your application.