Senior Tax Counsel & Head of Tax Controversy (U.S.)
Honda South Carolina Manufacturing, Torrance, CA, United States
Job Purpose
The Senior Tax Counsel is responsible for leading North America on complex tax legal issues. This position works with senior management and business unit leaders in North America and Global HQ to provide strategic tax law counseling on ongoing, new and evolving business transactions, while managing tax law risk and enabling opportunities from operations subject to many legal jurisdictions.
This role also serves as Department Head of Federal & State Tax Audit, Controversy and Planning, managing department associates, operations, systems, processes, and high financial impact tax projects for the Division, Business Unit, Region and Global HQ.
Key Accountabilities
Provide strategic tax counsel to senior leadership and business units on complex U.S. federal, state, and international tax matters, enabling business growth while managing legal and financial risk across evolving transactions and operating models.
Lead the Federal & State Tax Audit, Controversy, and Planning function, overseeing high‑impact audits, disputes, appeals, and litigation with tax authorities, and driving optimal outcomes through strong advocacy and technical judgment.
Partner closely with global and regional stakeholders, including Global HQ, Finance, Legal, Government Relations, and external advisors, to align tax strategy with business objectives, market dynamics, and regulatory developments.
Assess, quantify, and manage significant tax risks, including advising on tax positions, confidence levels, and methodologies for accurate financial statement reporting, reserves, and SOX controls.
Develop and execute forward‑looking tax strategies, balancing compliance, cash flow, effective tax rate, and reputational considerations while supporting new and evolving business initiatives.
Represent the company before tax authorities and auditors, leading negotiations, alternative dispute resolution, and litigation strategies from initial challenge through final resolution.
Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing team, providing coaching, oversight, and growth opportunities while managing departmental resources, systems, and processes.
Monitor legislative, regulatory, and policy developments, proactively advising leadership on potential impacts and advocating positions that protect the company’s long‑term interests.
Minimum Educational Qualifications
J.D. from an ABA accredited law school
LLM in taxation or equivalent experience
Minimum Experience
10+ years of tax experience in a law firm or tax department of a Fortune 500 company
Other Job‑Specific Skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Flexibility and adaptability
Maturity and judgment
Job Dimensions
No. of Direct Reports - 4
No. of Indirect Reports
Financial Dimensions - $2.5 million in budget. Key responsibility for tax exposures/controversies and tax planning with impacts in excess of $5 billion.
Decisions Expected
Develop and recommend tax approaches to business transactions that align with compliance requirements, cash flow and effective rate objectives, while supporting market dynamics and business objectives.
Recommend and execute controversy approach that maximizes likelihood of success while building relationships and considering reputational risk.
Department associate preparedness for stretch assignments and development needs to advance department associates' competencies and careers.
Working Conditions
Teleconferences outside of regular working hours due to time zone differences
Ability to respond to complex requests quickly, and work outside of regular business hours during workload peaks due to transaction, compliance or controversy deadlines
Hybrid - 80% onsite / 20% remote
10% travel
Total Rewards
Competitive base salary (pay will be based on several variables that include, but are not limited to geographic location, work experience, etc.)
Regional bonus (when applicable)
Manager lease car program (no cost – car, maintenance, and insurance included)
Industry‑leading benefit plans (medical, dental, vision, Rx)
Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, shutdown
Company‑paid short‑term and long‑term disability
401(k) plan with company match and additional contribution
Relocation assistance (if eligible)
Career Growth
Advancement opportunities
Career mobility
Education reimbursement for continued learning
Training and development programs
Additional Offerings
Lifestyle account
Childcare reimbursement account
Elder care support
Tuition assistance & student loan repayment
Well‑being program
Community service and engagement programs
Product programs
Honda is an equal‑opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.
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This role also serves as Department Head of Federal & State Tax Audit, Controversy and Planning, managing department associates, operations, systems, processes, and high financial impact tax projects for the Division, Business Unit, Region and Global HQ.
Key Accountabilities
Provide strategic tax counsel to senior leadership and business units on complex U.S. federal, state, and international tax matters, enabling business growth while managing legal and financial risk across evolving transactions and operating models.
Lead the Federal & State Tax Audit, Controversy, and Planning function, overseeing high‑impact audits, disputes, appeals, and litigation with tax authorities, and driving optimal outcomes through strong advocacy and technical judgment.
Partner closely with global and regional stakeholders, including Global HQ, Finance, Legal, Government Relations, and external advisors, to align tax strategy with business objectives, market dynamics, and regulatory developments.
Assess, quantify, and manage significant tax risks, including advising on tax positions, confidence levels, and methodologies for accurate financial statement reporting, reserves, and SOX controls.
Develop and execute forward‑looking tax strategies, balancing compliance, cash flow, effective tax rate, and reputational considerations while supporting new and evolving business initiatives.
Represent the company before tax authorities and auditors, leading negotiations, alternative dispute resolution, and litigation strategies from initial challenge through final resolution.
Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing team, providing coaching, oversight, and growth opportunities while managing departmental resources, systems, and processes.
Monitor legislative, regulatory, and policy developments, proactively advising leadership on potential impacts and advocating positions that protect the company’s long‑term interests.
Minimum Educational Qualifications
J.D. from an ABA accredited law school
LLM in taxation or equivalent experience
Minimum Experience
10+ years of tax experience in a law firm or tax department of a Fortune 500 company
Other Job‑Specific Skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Flexibility and adaptability
Maturity and judgment
Job Dimensions
No. of Direct Reports - 4
No. of Indirect Reports
Financial Dimensions - $2.5 million in budget. Key responsibility for tax exposures/controversies and tax planning with impacts in excess of $5 billion.
Decisions Expected
Develop and recommend tax approaches to business transactions that align with compliance requirements, cash flow and effective rate objectives, while supporting market dynamics and business objectives.
Recommend and execute controversy approach that maximizes likelihood of success while building relationships and considering reputational risk.
Department associate preparedness for stretch assignments and development needs to advance department associates' competencies and careers.
Working Conditions
Teleconferences outside of regular working hours due to time zone differences
Ability to respond to complex requests quickly, and work outside of regular business hours during workload peaks due to transaction, compliance or controversy deadlines
Hybrid - 80% onsite / 20% remote
10% travel
Total Rewards
Competitive base salary (pay will be based on several variables that include, but are not limited to geographic location, work experience, etc.)
Regional bonus (when applicable)
Manager lease car program (no cost – car, maintenance, and insurance included)
Industry‑leading benefit plans (medical, dental, vision, Rx)
Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, shutdown
Company‑paid short‑term and long‑term disability
401(k) plan with company match and additional contribution
Relocation assistance (if eligible)
Career Growth
Advancement opportunities
Career mobility
Education reimbursement for continued learning
Training and development programs
Additional Offerings
Lifestyle account
Childcare reimbursement account
Elder care support
Tuition assistance & student loan repayment
Well‑being program
Community service and engagement programs
Product programs
Honda is an equal‑opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.
#J-18808-Ljbffr