Director of Tax

Director of Tax

The Director of Tax will be responsible for building the Company's tax function, within the Accounting organization, as the organization continues to scale its development platform, investment activity, and operating footprint. Reporting to the Controller, this role will serve as the primary internal resource for tax matters and will work across Accounting, Finance, Legal, Development, Construction, and Economic Development to identify tax considerations early, support business decisions, and ensure the Company maintains appropriate compliance, documentation, and governance. The position will be responsible for federal, state, and local tax compliance, REIT and taxable subsidiary matters, fixed asset and supporting tax incentive planning for development projects, property and indirect taxes, and day-to-day management of external tax advisors. Transaction structuring is led by the Controller, Legal, and external advisors, with this role providing tax input. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in the details while building scalable processes in a fast-growing environment where processes are still evolving.

Travel: Ability to travel up to 5% for company gatherings or to project sites

Location: Denver, CO (3-day/hybrid in-office role)

Compensation: $175K - $225K (Offers Bonus)

Essential Responsibilities

Tax Function Leadership

• Establish and maintain the Company's tax framework, including policies, procedures, calendars, controls, and documentation standards
• Serve as the primary internal point of contact for tax matters
• Partner closely with the Controller on tax strategy, risk assessment, and execution of key tax initiatives
• Recommend to the Controller which tax activities should be managed internally versus through external advisors, and manage the external advisor relationships (tax advisors, accounting firms, valuation specialists, and property tax consultants), including review of advisor recommendations and monitoring of external tax spend
• Translate complex tax issues into clear, commercially relevant recommendations for the Controller and, as needed, senior leadership

Support Organizational and REIT Structure

• Oversee tax matters associated with the Company's legal entity structure
• Support ongoing compliance with REIT requirements and related taxable subsidiary structures, where applicable
• Coordinate with technical accounting and external advisors on periodic review of income, assets, revenue streams, and contracts that may affect REIT qualification
• Work with the Controller, Legal, and external advisors on entity formations, reorganizations, intercompany arrangements, and other structural matters

Support Development Projects, Fixed Assets, and Tax Incentives

• Provide tax input throughout the lifecycle of development projects, from site acquisition through construction, commissioning, and operations
• Ensure tax assumptions and project-specific tax benefits are incorporated into project budgets, forecasts, and investment analyses
• Develop processes with support from accounting organization for tracking tax obligations, incentive commitments, compliance milestones, and realized benefits across projects and jurisdictions
• Partner with the Economic Development team to monitor property tax abatements, sales and use tax exemptions, and other project-specific tax incentives, and provide tax technical support for incentive negotiations, applications, agreements, and ongoing compliance
• Evaluate alternative ownership and transaction structures with the Controller, Legal, and external advisors to ensure available tax advantages and incentives are fully leveraged
• Lead fixed asset tax planning for significant capital investment, including cost segregation studies, depreciation methods, and asset classification
• Evaluate tax treatment of equipment, construction costs, owner-furnished equipment, leasehold improvements, and other capital expenditures

Support Transactions and Commercial Agreements

• Support the Controller, Legal, and external advisors in evaluating the tax implications of financings, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and other transactions, including tax diligence
• Review significant commercial agreements for tax implications, including customer agreements, leases, procurement contracts, and development arrangements

Manage Tax Compliance and Reporting (Income, State and Local, Property, and Indirect)

• Manage federal, state, and local income and franchise tax compliance prepared by external firms, including filings, extensions, estimated payments, and elections
• Maintain appropriate support for significant tax positions and conclusions. Assist with tax-related audit requests, lender diligence, investor diligence, and other third-party inquiries
• Manage sales and use tax considerations associated with construction, equipment purchases, and ongoing operations
• Manage property tax assessments, appeals, exemptions, and related advisor relationships, and coordinate property tax budgeting and forecasting with Finance and Accounting

Education, Skills, and Experience

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive tax experience with a mix of experience in public accounting and corporate tax departments.
• Experience in real estate, construction, energy, or a related capital-intensive industry, with a strong foundation in multi-entity structures.
• Hands-on experience with REIT tax compliance, cost segregation, and fixed asset strategies for capital-heavy assets (data centers, digital infrastructure, energy, or real estate).
• Direct experience with managing third-party advisors.
• Comfortable working in the details while building scalable processes for the organization.
• Proven ability to build relationships and communicate clearly across functions, from external advisors to development and construction teams.

Preferred:

• Experience with property tax, sales and use tax, and state and local incentive programs in a development or construction environment.

Fueled by Excellence & Collaboration

At Rowan, we are a distributed team united by a common mission to transform data center delivery. Across our two offices, we offer a hybrid work environment supported by teamwork, technology, and in-office gathering time to help you be successful. We are headquartered in downtown Denver, Colorado and have an office in Seattle, Washington. Our team of talented and passionate individuals is spread out across the U.S.

Here to support you

At Rowan, we want to make sure you can do great work. We offer competitive benefits focused on helping you be and achieve your best.

• Hybrid working environment
• Team building and educational opportunities
• Generous benefits package including robust health benefits and a 401(k)-company contribution
• Unlimited PTO
• RTD ECO pass or parking reimbursement
• Competitive compensation, bonus, and an incentive plan

Equal Opportunity Employer

Rowan Digital is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate diversity in all aspects of our workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.