Expert Tax Counsel

Overview

This role is for an Expert Tax Counsel within the organization’s Tax Department, serving as a versatile legal and business adviser across a broad range of tax matters. Responsibilities span tax planning and M&A, audit defense and tax controversy, tax legal research, credits & incentives, and contract review and drafting.

The position reports to the Managing Counsel for Global Tax (lead tax attorney), and the role can be located in:

• Midland, MI
• Houston, TX
• Virtual office in the Chicago or Detroit areas

Responsibilities

• M&A and Tax Planning Advisory

  • Assist with tax structuring and legal analysis for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and internal reorganizations/restructuring transactions
  • Support due diligence, review and draft transaction documents, and advise on post-closing integration matters

• Tax Controversy and Audit Defense

  • Lead and support audit defense and controversy matters across federal, state, local, and indirect tax areas
  • Research and respond to Information Document Requests (IDRs) and Notices of Proposed Adjustment (NOPAs)
  • Support or draft protests, refund claims, and similar submissions
  • Coordinate with outside counsel on administrative appeals and litigation as needed

• Contract Review & Commercial Advisory

  • Review and advise on tax-related provisions in commercial agreements, including sales agreements, joint venture agreements, service contracts, licensing arrangements, and intercompany agreements
  • Ensure appropriate treatment of tax indemnification, cost allocation, gross-up provisions, and withholding obligations

• Tax Legal Research & Memoranda

  • Conduct detailed legal research on discrete federal, state, local, and international tax questions
  • Draft technical memoranda documenting and supporting the company’s tax positions in line with internal governance standards

• Credits & Incentives

  • Identify, analyze, and maintain compliance with federal, state, local, and energy-related tax credits and incentives aligned with the company’s investment strategy
  • Provide eligibility analysis and documentation support

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner across the Tax Department (including Tax Operations and Accounting) and with Legal, M&A, Controllers, Treasury, Finance, and Government Affairs to integrate tax considerations into business planning and decision-making

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Master of Laws
• Admission to a State Bar or eligible for admission
• Minimum of 5 years of substantive tax legal experience
• Ability to work legally in the United States (no visa sponsorship or support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process)

Preferred Qualifications

• LL.M. in Taxation
• At least 6 years of deep tax legal experience in at least one core area of tax law (e.g., Subchapter C, Subchapter K, international tax)
  • Strongest candidates will combine that depth with judgment, problem-solving ability, and learning agility to operate confidently across unfamiliar tax issues, and will be willing to expand expertise into new areas as the role demands
• Familiarity with IRS examination, administrative appeals, and state/local audit processes
• Familiarity with tax accounting concepts (ASC 740 / uncertain tax positions)
• Prior experience at a major law firm or Big 4 accounting firm in a tax practice group; in-house tax counsel experience at a multinational is valued

Skills

• Strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills, including ability to draft technical tax memoranda and legal arguments
• Ability to review, draft, and negotiate tax provisions in commercial contracts
• Ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously under time pressure
• Self-starter with a collaborative mindset and comfort operating in a matrixed, global organization

Compensation & Benefits

• Illinois Pay Scale (if applicable to location): $230,000 - $290,000
• Base pay and bonus opportunity across global markets, along with locally relevant incentives
• Total rewards programs to support physical, mental, financial, and social well-being
• Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources
• Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies by location)
• Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only)
• Medical and life insurance coverage options (travel insurance available in certain countries/locations)
• Training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement, and team building
• Role-based flexibility
• Competitive yearly vacation allowance
• Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents)
• Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured
• Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group (ERG) participation
• Wellbeing Portal (one-stop shop for wellbeing)
• On-site fitness facilities (availability varies by location)
• Employee discounts (e.g., online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships)
• Some locations may offer transportation allowance, meal subsidiaries/vouchers, and carbon-neutral transportation incentives (availability varies by location)

Additional Notes

• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.
• The organization is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), and protected veteran status.
• Reasonable accommodations are provided for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in application procedures.