Purpose and overall relevance for the Organization:The Director Tax Governance, Audit & Compliance has the responsibility for the management of tax compliance and tax audits. In this capacity the position holder develops the audit defense strategy in alignment with the relevant Corporate Tax functions for the adidas business to ensure an ongoing tax compliance and thus minimize double taxation. Ensuring that filing deadlines are met and defending the adidas tax department approach to issues is also incumbent to this position.The position holder advances the development, implementation and adherence of policies and guidelines within the EM region that mitigate risk, focusing - as element of governance - also on practices in the areas of finance and accounting, contracting and procurement, and sales. The role will be essential to establish and ensure the adequacy of internal controls, policies and procedures for adidas.Within the area of tax compliance and tax audit this also includes directing and overseeing the interface with external advisors, local tax authorities, collect regional tax information to support the filing positions, audit defense and any required consolidated financial statement disclosures.Key Countries in the EM regionIndia, Middle East countries, Turkey, Africa countriesKey Responsibilities:

• Manages tax compliance function including:

• Managing the overall tax compliance processes and filings together with tax advisors and internal finance teams
• Working closely with tax advisors and internal finance teams to ensure appropriate tax policies and procedures are in place
• Overseeing and coordinating the tax compliance activities across the EM region to maintain adherence to relevant regulations and requirements
• Manages tax audits/tax controversy for the adidas organization in the EM Region, including:

• Selecting and working with relevant service providers (e.g. tax advisors, legal counsel) to handle the tax audits/controversies
• Driving the overall strategy and approach for addressing the tax issues
• Coordinating with internal teams across adidas to gather and provide the necessary information required for the tax audits/controversies
• Analyzing local tax audit assessments and related effects on adidas group position and initiating appropriate measures to be taken
• Determining and preparing to take controversies to a higher level and/ or initiate Competent Authority proceedings (APA, MAP)
• Supports transfer pricing matters, including implementing group TP policies in the region, leading TP audits, managing TP compliance, etc
• Plans and drives tax efficiency in the region including:

• Exploring tax optimization opportunities
• Executing effective tax reporting management including tax accounting, risk reporting, ETR analysis, etc.
• Serves as business partner including:

• Maintaining close relationships with the Business and the relevant internal stakeholders and supporting the EM Management in their regional responsibilities
• Possess operational credibility and knowledge to understand the interests of the Business, have a deep function-specific issue identification capability, and maintain a mindset to foster a trustful partnership beyond tax.

Key Relationships:Internal

• Corporate Tax
• Accounting functions (central & local)
• Corporate Legal
• Internal Audit
• Shared service organisation
• Sales and business

External

• Tax service provider
• External auditors
• External tax authorities
• Municipalities, Chamber of Commerce

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Demonstrated strong strategic thinking, issue-framing and analytical ability, with the ability to apply/use technology to improve business
• Build relationships and interact with relevant stakeholders to provide excellent consultingand defense expertise; this includes to work with management and operations to develop contingency plans to mitigate risk
• Profound knowledge of related tax rules and regulation
• Ability to advise, train and raise awareness amongs business partners within adidas on the significance of compliance
• Experience at evaluating and managing risk and compliance issues in an international environment and development strategies to mitigate tax risks
• Ability to multi-task, work in a fast-paced environment, and meet time-sensitive deadline
• SAP expertise is preferred
• Fluent English knowledge in writing and speaking
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Requisite Education and Experience/ Minimum Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting, Management, Law, Taxation or a related field
• Miminum 8 - 10 years of professional experience with extensive exposure to tax compliance & tax audits
• Work experience in management consultant space, public sector consultancy or an equivalently complex organization
• Broad knowledge in project and process management is an advantage

Additional RequirementsThe successful candidate must not be subject to employment restrictions from a former employer (such as a non-compete) that would prevent the candidate from performing the job responsibilities as described.

Adidas