Director of Direct Tax
Hagerty · United States
Say hello to Hagerty
Hagerty is a company built by drivers for drivers. We put our members at the center of everything we do and are dedicated to making it easier and more enjoyable for enthusiasts to drive and celebrate the machines they love. We’re proud to be the world’s largest insurer of collectible and enthusiast vehicles and are home to the Hagerty Drivers Club, the world’s largest car club. Our Marketplace business presents live and digital sales across the U.S. and Europe, we host a number of driving events and concours, and our award-winning automotive journalists produce the most popular car magazine globally, alongside internationally awarded videos. We’re committed to Never Stop Driving. Ready to get in the driver’s seat? Join us!
As the Director – Direct Tax, you’ll drive Hagerty’s U.S. direct income tax function and partner with the Vice President (VP) of Tax, to whom you will report directly, to set strategy and execute on our priorities. It’s a senior leadership role that pairs strategic vision with hands-on execution at a fast-growing public company with a genuinely interesting tax profile – a partnership (Up-C) structure and international operations – so the work stays varied and meaningful. You’ll own the income tax provision, compliance, and reporting process with significant responsibility for the Company’s partnership tax matters and Tax Receivable Agreement, while serving as a trusted advisor to senior executives and cross-functional business partners across the business.
What you’ll do
Strategic Leadership and Direct Tax Function Management
- Help set the vision for, and lead the execution of the Company’s U.S. direct tax strategy in partnership with the VP of Tax, with responsibility for day-to-day leadership of the direct tax workstreams.
- Establish priorities, timelines, and accountability across the direct tax workstreams and represent the income tax function with senior leaders, auditors, and advisors.
- Evaluate tax planning opportunities and operational improvements that support business objectives, and independently identify, evaluate, and resolve direct tax issues, developing a well-supported point of view and escalating material risks or decisions to the VP of Tax, as appropriate.
- Serve as a key tax advisor to internal stakeholders including International Tax, Treasury, Accounting, Finance, and Legal, and coordinate with external advisors where foreign operations, cross-border matters, financing transactions, or legal entity changes affect U.S. tax provision, compliance, planning, or reporting.
- Monitor proposed and enacted tax law and accounting changes and assess their impact on the Company’s tax provision, compliance obligations, and planning opportunities.
- Lead tax planning, transactions, and technical research, translating complex tax matters into clear, practical recommendations to senior leaders.
Tax Reporting, Compliance, Controls and Risk Management
- Lead the preparation and review of the quarterly and annual ASC 740 income tax provision calculations, including the effective tax rate, assessments of the uncertain tax positions and valuation allowances, return-to provision true-ups, and related SEC disclosures.
- Partner with Accounting and Financial Reporting teams to deliver an accurate and timely close process.
- Support external audit procedures related to income taxes, including auditor requests, and maintain robust tax provision workpapers, technical memoranda, and internal control evidence.
- Lead the design, execution, and documentation of income tax internal controls, including SOX controls, and strengthen the Company’s close and compliance processes, while advancing the use of tax technology, automation and AI.
- Oversee U.S. federal, state, and local income tax compliance, including state apportionment and nexus, for the Company’s corporate and partnership entities, coordinating with external advisors to ensure accurate, timely, and cost-effective delivery.
- Forecast taxable income for estimated tax payments, partner tax distributions, and cash tax planning purposes.
- Manage federal, state, and local income tax audits, notices, and inquiries ensuring that tax risk is well understood, reserves are evaluated under ASC 740, and income tax positions are appropriately documented.
Tax Receivable Agreement, Partnership, and Up-C Matters
- Own the administration of and accounting for the Company’s Tax Receivable Agreement and related partnership and Up-C matters, coordinating with external advisors, and partnering with Legal, Treasury, and other internal and external stakeholders.
- Oversee tax basis tracking, partnership tax capital, Section 743(b) adjustments, unit exchanges, redemptions, tax distributions, partner allocations, and related tax attributes associated with the Company’s Up-C structure.
- Review and document calculations supporting TRA liabilities, TRA-related disclosures, and related income tax accounting impacts.
Team Leadership and Development
- Build, develop, and mentor a direct tax team, setting clear goals, accountability, and review standards, and manage external advisors to a high standard of quality.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performing, and service-oriented culture within the direct tax function.
- Partner closely and promote strong collaboration with Accounting, Finance, Legal, Treasury, Internal Audit, Investor Relations, International Tax, Indirect Tax and external auditors.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Tax, Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA and/or Master’s in Tax strongly preferred.
- Proven, progressive income tax experience in public accounting and/or a multinational corporate tax department, including leading a tax team or function, and advising senior leaders.
- Deep ASC 740 / tax provision expertise and a strong command of U.S. corporate and partnership tax (Subchapters C and K). Prior experience with Up-C structures, TRAs, and outside basis.
- Public-company experience, including SOX and internal controls.
This might describe you
- Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills with the ability to present complex tax matters to senior leadership.
- A clear communicator who can make complex tax understandable for non-tax leaders and a demonstrated people leader who develops high-performing tax teams.
- A transformational mindset with a goal of continuous process improvement
Other things to note
- This position is open to U.S. remote work. However, team members who reside within 20 miles of the Traverse City headquarters will follow a hybrid schedule, working from the office three days per week.
- Familiarity with public company requirements, including Sarbanes Oxley and key regulations, if applicable. For SOX compliant roles, responsible for designing, executing, and documenting internal controls where they have been identified as owners to prevent errors in financial reporting, processes, and business operations. Including attestation to the completeness, accuracy, and compliance of all financial reporting data, where applicable.
If you reside in the following jurisdictions: Illinois, Colorado, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, or Jersey City, New Jersey, Cincinnati or Toledo, Ohio, Rhode Island, Washington, British Columbia, Canada please email recruiting@hagerty.com for compensation, comprehensive benefits and the perks that set us apart.
At Hagerty, we share the road. We are an inclusive automotive community where all are welcomed, valued and belong regardless of race, gender, age, or car preference. We are united by our shared passion for driving, our commitment to preserve car culture for future generations and our desire to make a positive impact in the world.
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EEO/AA
If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!