The Director of International Tax Strategy is responsible for designing, governing, and continuously improving FORTÉ's global tax strategy in support of rapid international growth within a very low tax risk-tolerance environment. This role serves as the company's first in-house international tax leader, providing strategic oversight across income tax, indirect tax, and transfer pricing while ensuring audit-defensible positions, strong governance, and protection of the Company's ESOP structure. Serving as the primary international tax advisor to the CFO and executive leadership, the role initially operates as a hands-on strategic leader with strong influence across Finance, Legal, M&A, and Operations, and will assume increased decision ownership as global tax frameworks mature.
What You Will Be Doing:1. Global Tax Strategy, Governance, and Risk Management- Own international tax compliance governance, including income tax, withholding tax, and indirect tax compliance across all jurisdictions, leveraging external advisors as appropriate
- Establish compliance frameworks, filing calendars, review standards, and controls to ensure timely accurate, and audit defensible filings worldwide
- Proactively identify and mitigate tax risks related to global expansion, restructuring, and intercompany activity
- Provide executive-level visibility into material tax risks, exposures, and mitigation strategies
- Protect the Company's ESOP structure through conservative, audit-defensible tax positions
2. Indirect Tax Leadership (U.S. and International)- Provide direct leadership and oversight of the U.S. Sales Tax team, ensuring scalable processes, strong internal controls, and audit readiness
- Ensure the Sales Tax Manager retains ownership of day-to-day U.S. sales tax audits, with strategic oversight and escalation support provided by this role
- Extend indirect tax governance globally, including VAT/GST exposure, invoicing models, registration risk, and permanent establishment considerations
3. Transfer Pricing Strategy and Implementation- Design, implement, and govern a global transfer pricing framework aligned with business operations and OECD principles
- Lead transfer pricing strategy across priority corridors, including EU/UK/Nordics and anticipated future acquisition intercompany activity
- Coordinate benchmarking studies, documentation, and local filings through external advisors
- Partner with Finance and Operations to operationalize transfer pricing through intercompany billing, markup policies, service catalogs, and legal agreements
4. International Acquisitions and Strategic Growth Support- Support international M&A activity in partnership with the Director of M&A and International Finance
- Provide tax structuring input, risk identification, and post-acquisition integration guidance
- Develop repeatable tax integration playbooks to support future acquisitions and global expansion
- Enable rapid growth while prioritizing risk mitigation and governance
5. External Advisor and Stakeholder Management- Manage relationships with external tax advisors across multiple jurisdictions
- Coordinate international tax audits, inquiries, and examinations through local advisors
- Serve as the primary internal tax subject-matter expert for international tax matters
- Educate finance, operational leaders, and executive leadership on tax developments, risks, and implications
What You Bring to Assure Success:- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Tax, or a related field required
- CPA, JD, LL.M. (Tax), or equivalent professional credential preferred
- 10-15+ years of progressive tax experience with significant international exposure
- Demonstrated expertise in international corporate income tax, indirect tax, and transfer pricing
- Clear understanding of and experience with legal entity formation, nexus, and permanent establishment rules and regulations
- Experience supporting international acquisitions and post-deal integration
- Experience operating in a low tax risk-tolerance environment with strong governance expectations
- Combination of Big 4 public accounting experience and in-house global industry experience preferred
- Strong understanding of OECD transfer pricing principles, BEPS initiatives, and global tax reform trends
- Ability to operate independently in a first-in-role environment
- Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex tax issues into practical, business-focused guidance
- Ability to influence senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders prior to formal decision authority
The benefits of ownership
At FORTÉ, you're not just covered - you're supported. Our employee-owners have access to a comprehensive benefits package designed to protect your health, grow your wealth, and help you do your best work.
Here's a look at what we offer:
- Healthcare, vision & dental coverage to keep you and your family well
- Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for more control over your healthcare dollars
- Employer-paid life and disability insurance for added peace of mind
- 401(k) with company match to invest in your future
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) so you benefit directly from our shared success
- Tuition reimbursement and ongoing learning opportunities to support your growth
- Employer-paid employee assistance program to care for your physical, mental, and financial health
- Paid time off that helps you truly disconnect
