Assistant Director for Domestic Tax

The Tax Office is looking for a motivated individual to fill the role of the Assistant Director for Domestic Tax (“Assistant Director”). This individual’s primary responsibility will be to lead the team that is responsible for tax compliance related to U.S. compensation, benefits and other payments provided to university employees, students and scholars. This role requires significant collaboration with University Human Resources along with many other University stakeholders.

Johns Hopkins University is one of the world’s leading research universities, with an annual budget that exceeds $7 billion. The institution is comprised of approximately 6,500 faculty, 6,100 undergraduate students and 25,900 graduate students across 230-degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels. The mission of the university is to educate its students and cultivate their capacity for lifelong learning, to foster independent and original research, and to bring the benefits of discovery to the world.

The Johns Hopkins University Tax Office reports through the Controller to the university’s Chief Financial Officer. The Tax Office is responsible for all the institution's domestic and international tax matters and is an integral member of this high-performing, client-focused team.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• The Assistant Director will bring advanced knowledge of U.S. employment tax laws and procedures as well as knowledge of accounting principles connected to compensation and benefits.
• A successful candidate demonstrates high levels of competency with written and oral communication, including the need to explain complex tax topics to individuals outside of the Tax Office who may not be familiar with the tax laws and related concepts.
• Directs the timely completion of all federal and state employment tax payments, compliance filings and notice responses.
• Directs the timely completion of all unemployment, family leave and similar compliance filings, and their associated payments and notice responses.
• Directs employment tax compliance for the University’s non-residents students and scholars.
• Directs ERP/HCM system testing and maintenance as it relates to employment tax.
• Directs worker classification determinations.
• Supports compensation reporting for non-payroll tax filings (e.g. Form 990 and Form 4720).
• Recommends and executes best practices in supporting University’s employment tax matters.
• Introduces innovative tools and services to improve efficiency and compliance.
• Partners with University Payroll Shared Services and Human Resources Shared Services to ensure timely processing of various tax-related payroll adjustments.
• Collaborates with payroll and benefits tax experts serving in other university departments (e.g. Human Resources and Office of General Counsel) to build and enhance university policies and procedures impacted by U.S. employment taxes.
• Advises University leaders and stakeholders on matters related to U.S. taxes; specifically, taxes related to employment.
• Manages the University’s external tax advisors.
• Develops, coaches and mentors Tax Office staff.
• Other duties as assigned by the Tax Director including special projects.

Special Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities / Competencies

• Ability to perform tasks independently.
• Ability to exercise the utmost confidentiality in every aspect.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple deadlines.
• Demonstrates strong project management, sustained attention to detail, planning, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced data analysis skills.
• Demonstrates respect for process and exercises diplomacy in working with subject matter experts, stakeholders, team members, and leadership.
• Develops a strong understanding of the University’s culture and vision to effectively participate in change management strategies.
• Develops presentations, briefings, and decision memos that communicate effectively with clients, senior leadership, Trustees or other audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to relate effectively with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.
• Strong relationship-building, collaboration, and influencing skills needed to counsel and work effectively with all levels within the university.
• Strong research skills, ability to analyze and interpret complex payroll and benefits tax topics at both the federal and state level and apply those rules to university facts and circumstances.

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting strongly preferred. Graduate education in Accounting, Business, Finance Tax or related field strongly preferred.
• Seven years of progressively responsible related work experience required.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• CPA strongly preferred.

Classified Title: Assistant Director Tax 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Assistant Director for Domestic Tax   
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PH  
Starting Salary Range: $115,400 - $202,000 Annually (Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/JH at Keswick 
Department name: University Tax 
Personnel area: University Administration