OverviewThe Head of Tax is a senior, hands-on leader within the Finance organization, responsible for leading Cavender's tax function across compliance, reporting, planning, and process development, with direct ownership of key tax matters, filings, and compliance processes. Reporting directly to the VP Finance Controller, this role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local tax requirements while serving as the company's lead tax operator in a dynamic and evolving environment. The Head of Tax will directly own significant areas of tax compliance and execution, particularly federal partnership tax and multi-state filings, while building scalable tax processes, controls, and infrastructure to support the company's continued growth and increasing operational complexity. This role will partner closely with Finance, Accounting, Legal, and Operations, as well as external tax advisors and auditors, to manage compliance, support business initiatives, and build a disciplined, scalable tax operating model. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable handling complex tax matters and rolling up their sleeves to drive filings, resolve issues, and implement practical processes in a growing organization. This role is ideal for a leader who thrives in a hands-on environment and enjoys bringing structure and discipline to a growing organization.
Duties and Responsibilities - Support the "Cavender's Culture" and drive our Mission, Vision, and Values.
- Lead and directly own federal partnership tax compliance, including coordination, review, and oversight of partnership returns, K-1s, extensions, estimated payments, and related matters.
- Own the company's multi-state tax compliance, including state income, franchise, and related filings across jurisdictions.
- Own the tax compliance calendar, filing workflow, and supporting documentation to ensure all deadlines, filings, and payments are executed accurately and on time.
- Ensure completeness and accuracy of data flows required for tax filings, including coordination with accounting, payroll, and other internal teams.
- Develop and maintain tax processes, controls, policies, and documentation to support accuracy, consistency, and scalability.
- Identify and implement process improvements, automation opportunities, and system enhancements to improve efficiency and reduce risk.
- Provide practical tax leadership and planning support aligned with business operations, growth initiatives, and organizational structure.
- Advise finance leadership on tax implications of entity structure, ownership changes, expansion, and other business initiatives.
- Support tax accounting and reporting activities, including coordination with external advisors and auditors on ASC 740 matters as needed.
- Oversee or support income tax provision processes in coordination with external advisors and auditors.
- Direct the preparation, review, and filing of tax returns, estimated payments, and extensions, with emphasis on partnership and multi-state compliance.
- Manage relationships with external tax advisors, auditors, and regulatory agencies, including coordination on technical matters, compliance, and reporting.
- Lead tax planning initiatives to support strategic growth, operational changes, and evolving business needs and increasing complexity.
- Monitor changes in tax laws and regulations, evaluate impacts, and ensure timely implementation of updates.
- Lead tax audits and governmental inquiries, serving as the primary point of contact and ensuring timely resolution.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to support business initiatives such as new store openings, supply chain changes, and system implementations.
- Translate complex tax matters into clear, actionable insights for executive leadership and stakeholders.
- Build the foundation for a scalable tax function, including processes, documentation, and future organizational structure as the company grows.
Qualifications and Requirements- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field; CPA required, MBA or advanced tax certification strongly preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive tax experience, including significant responsibility for tax compliance, filings, and tax operations in a complex, multi-entity or multi-state environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead a tax function while remaining actively involved in tax compliance and execution.
- Proven ability to operate effectively in a growing organization where processes and infrastructure are still being built and refined.
- Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulations impacting retail and multi-state operations.
- Deep experience with federal partnership tax compliance, including ownership of returns and related state filings.
- Proven ability to lead and manage external advisors and financial statement auditors.
- Strong presence and communication skills, with the ability to influence and advise senior leadership.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and cross-functional initiatives.
Preferred Skills - Experience operating in a complex or growing organization.
- Experience with partnership-heavy or multi-entity structures.
- Experience building or improving tax processes and controls.
- Exposure to multi-state operations and related tax considerations.
- Exposure to sales and use tax.
