Head of Tax, Americas

Job Description The roleClifford Chance US LLP is seeking a full-time Head of Tax, who will be responsible for leading the tax function across the Americas region, with a particular focus on US tax compliance, partner tax matters, tax risk management and tax governance.The role will oversee the preparation and delivery of relevant tax filings and tax declarations, manage tax risks and controls, and develop and implement tax policies and procedures in line with local requirements and the firm's global tax framework.You will act as the main point of contact for tax matters and queries in the Americas region, working closely with regional leadership, the Central Tax team, finance teams, HR, partner remuneration colleagues and external advisers. You will also manage and develop a team supporting the delivery of the regional tax function.This is a senior role requiring strong technical tax knowledge, sound judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to work confidently with senior stakeholders across a complex international business. This position is based in our New York office and will report to the Director of Tax and Treasury in the UK.Key responsibilitiesLeadership and stakeholder management * Lead the tax function for the Americas region, ensuring tax matters are managed effectively, consistently and in line with the firm's global tax strategy. * Act as the key point of contact for local and regional tax matters, providing practical and commercially focused advice to senior stakeholders. * Build strong relationships with regional leadership, Finance, HR, partner compensation colleagues, the global accounting team in Delhi, partners and the Central Tax team. * Manage, supervise and develop team members, ensuring appropriate review, support and development. * Provide training and guidance to local Finance and business teams to improve tax awareness and strengthen compliance.Tax advisory and policy * Develop, promote and implement tax policies and procedures across the Americas region, in line with local tax requirements and the firm's global approach. * Advise on US tax matters, including corporate tax, partnership tax, state and local tax, partner tax issues, employment taxes, payroll taxes and the tax treatment of employee and partner benefits. * Support the management of tax matters in Brazil and the wider Americas region, working with local Finance teams and external advisers as required. * In collaboration with the Global Mobility team, Global Expat Tax team and external advisers, provide tax input on expatriate and secondment arrangements to ensure they are appropriately structured and tax risks are managed. * Keep up to date with relevant tax developments and assess the impact of legislative, regulatory and administrative changes on the firm. * Support the business with tax advice on new initiatives, projects and changes to operating models, including new office locations, lateral partners and place of work implications.Compliance, reporting and controls * Oversee the timely and accurate filing of all relevant corporate, partnership, state, local and individual partner tax returns, working with external advisers where appropriate. * Manage and coordinate the preparation of US resident partner income tax returns. * Oversee the calculation, reconciliation and release of partner tax reserves to fund partner tax payments. * Work with advisers to ensure quarterly tax payments for partners are sufficient and made on a timely basis. * Manage responses to tax audits and enquiries from tax authorities. * Support the Central Tax team on US transfer pricing matters, including local compliance, documentation and tax authority enquiries. * Support the Central Tax team in respect of US tax filings for entities based outside the US. * Work with local Finance teams, the global accounting team and external advisers to monitor and manage relevant tax compliance ob