Honda Motors

Senior Tax Counsel, Head of Tax Controversy & Planning (U.S.)

Honda Motors$150K — $200K *
US-AnywhereRemote in Torrance, CA
Legal & Accounting
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • J.D. from an ABA accredited law school
  • LLM in taxation or equivalent experience
  • 10+ years tax experience in law firm or tax department of a Fortune 500 company
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Flexibility and adaptability, maturity and judgment

Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic tax counsel to senior leadership on complex tax matters
  • Lead Fed & State Tax Audit, overseeing audits and disputes
  • Collaborate with global stakeholders to align tax strategy with business objectives
  • Assess and manage significant tax risks, advising on tax positions
  • Develop and execute tax strategies balancing compliance and cash flow
  • Represent the company in negotiations and litigation with tax authorities
  • Build and develop a high-performing tax team
  • Monitor regulatory developments, advising on impacts to the business

Benefits

  • Competitive Base Salary
  • Regional Bonus when applicable
  • Manager Lease Car Program (no cost for car and maintenance)
  • Industry-leading Medical, Dental, Vision, Rx benefit plans
  • Paid time off including vacation and holidays
  • Company Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
  • 401K Plan with company match and additional contributions
  • Relocation assistance (if eligible)
  • Advancement opportunities and career mobility
  • Education reimbursement for continued learning
  • Training and development programs
  • Lifestyle Account and Childcare Reimbursement
Full Job Description
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 counselling 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 is Department Head of Federal & State Tax Audit, Controversy and Planning, and in that role manages 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.


Qualifications, Experience, and Skills

Minimum Educational Qualifications
  • J.D. from an ABA accredited law school
  • LLM in taxation or equivalent experience

Minimum Experience
  • 10+years tax experience in 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
  • 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, cashflow 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 work load 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 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
  • 401K Plan with company match + 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
  • Wellbeing Program
  • Community Service and Engagement Programs
  • Product Programs

About Honda Motors

Honda Motors is a leading manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment. The company was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda and has since grown to become one of the largest automotive companies in the world. Honda Motors is known for its innovative designs and commitment to sustainability, with a focus on developing environmentally friendly vehicles. The company operates in over 30 countries and has a strong presence in the United States, Japan, and Europe.
Learn more about Honda Motors
Size
204,035 employees
Market Cap
$41.8 billion
Industry
Net Income
$414.5 billion
Founded
1948
5 Year Trend
+0.8%
Revenue
$13,004.8 billion
NASDAQ

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