Indirect Tax Director

Indirect Tax Director

SOLV Energy is a leading provider of infrastructure services to the power industry, designing, building and maintaining utility scale solar, battery storage and high voltage substation projects nationwide.

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Indirect Tax Director to lead our domestic indirect tax function supporting renewable energy development, engineering, procurement, construction (EPC), and operational services activities across the United States. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing indirect tax and related tax compliance, tax controversy, property tax, financial reporting, and internal controls. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and business partners, helping to identify and manage tax risks, optimize project economics, and support the company's continued growth. The position leads a team of indirect tax professionals and partners closely with Business Development, Procurement, Construction, Operations, Accounting, Internal Audit, Legal, and Finance teams to deliver practical, business-focused tax solutions in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. This role can be fully remote or hybrid with regular in-office presence in San Diego, CA or Edison, NJ. Periodic travel may be required. Extended hours during financial reporting, compliance, audit, or transaction periods. Specific location details and expectations will be discussed during the interview process.

Position Responsibilities and Duties:

Indirect Tax Operational Leadership

• Lead the Company's indirect tax function, providing strategic guidance on tax matters impacting renewable energy development, EPC operations, procurement, construction, and operational services activities.
• Advise business teams on indirect tax implications associated with project development, construction activities, expansion into new jurisdictions, and operational initiatives.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and assess potential impacts on business operations and project economics.
• Develop and implement tax strategies that support business objectives while maintaining compliance and managing risk.

Indirect Tax, Property Tax & Incentives

• Oversee enterprise-wide sales and use tax compliance, planning, and audit defense activities.
• Provide guidance on taxability of construction materials, equipment, engineering services, labor, and project-related expenditures.
• Lead property tax compliance and planning activities for HQ locations, project sites, facilities, and operational assets.
• Identify, evaluate, and support state and local tax incentives, exemptions, abatements, and economic development programs.

Taxability Determinations & Contract Reviews

• Serve as the Company's subject matter expert for state and local taxability determinations related to renewable energy development, engineering, procurement, construction, and operational activities.
• Review, analyze, and draft tax language for customer contracts, EPC agreements, master service agreements, purchase agreements, procurement contracts, subcontractor agreements, services agreements, and other commercial arrangements to identify state and local tax implications and associated risks.
• Provide guidance regarding the tax treatment of construction materials, equipment, labor, engineering services, maintenance activities, rentals, and other project-related transactions.
• Advise internal stakeholders on contract structuring and transaction flows to support compliance, minimize tax exposure, and optimize project economics.
• Advise business teams during contract and pricing negotiations to evaluate sales and use tax provisions, exemption opportunities, indemnification language, and allocation of tax responsibilities between parties.
• Develop and maintain taxability guidance, matrices, and decision frameworks to support consistent application of state and local tax rules across projects and jurisdictions.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting taxability determinations and contract administration and communicate implications to business stakeholders.
• Perform tax analyses and prepare technical tax memorandum for internal files.
• Analyze state and local tax implications associated with EPC delivery models, construction contracting methodologies, direct-pay permit arrangements, owner-furnished equipment structures, and other project-specific procurement strategies.

Indirect Tax Controversy & Audit Management

• Lead state and local tax audits, examinations, assessments, administrative appeals, and dispute resolution efforts.
• Develop and execute controversy strategies related to indirect taxes, property taxes, tax incentives, nexus matters, and other state tax issues.
• Manage relationships with taxing authorities, external advisors, and outside counsel.
• Evaluate tax exposures and communicate risks and recommendations to executive leadership.

Financial Reporting & Tax Governance

• Lead monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting processes related to state and local indirect tax matters.
• Prepare and review ASC 450 reserve analyses associated with tax audits, assessments, disputes, and contingent liabilities.
• Partner with Accounting to ensure accurate reporting of tax-related exposures and reserves.
• Support tax-related disclosure and reporting requirements as part of the Company's financial close processes.
• May be asked to support state income and franchise tax reporting, audit, and operational planning initiatives as business needs require.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain and enhance effective internal controls supporting state and local indirect tax compliance and reporting activities.
• Develop and ensure tax processes operate within a strong SOX-compliant control environment.
• Support tax-related remediation efforts associated with material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, and other control findings.
• Partner with Internal Audit, Accounting, and external auditors to strengthen governance, documentation, and compliance processes.
• Prepare internal policy and procedural documents including business process flows for the indirect tax and property tax areas.

Process Improvement & Transformation

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across indirect tax and property tax functions to enhance compliance, efficiency, scalability, and risk management.
• Evaluate, design, and implement process enhancements, automation solutions, and technology-enabled controls to support a growing portfolio of renewable energy projects and operational activities.
• Partner with Procurement, Construction, Operations, Accounting, and IT teams to streamline tax determination, exemption certificate management, property tax reporting, tax accrual processes, and audit documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve data quality, reporting capabilities, and workflow efficiency through optimization of ERP systems, tax technology platforms, and business processes.
• Establish standardized procedures, governance frameworks, and performance metrics to improve consistency, reduce compliance risk, and support operational excellence across the state and local tax function.

Team Leadership & People Development

• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of approximately 46 tax professionals.
• Establish team goals, priorities, and performance expectations aligned with organizational objectives.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on technical excellence, accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Support talent acquisition, succession planning, employee development, and organizational growth initiatives.

Minimum Skills or Experience Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (JD) and active state bar membership, or equivalent advanced tax/legal credentials.
• Minimum of 15+ years of progressive domestic indirect (sales and use) tax experience (combination of large public accounting and relevant construction or renewable industry experience)
• Significant experience in indirect tax, tax controversy, property tax, and indirect tax compliance.
• Experience supporting construction, infrastructure, engineering, utilities, energy, or renewable energy operations.
• Strong knowledge of state tax audits, controversy management, and dispute resolution.
• Experience with financial reporting, reserve analyses, and tax governance processes.
• Experience with state and local tax incentives, abatements, and economic development programs.
• Experience with tax technology platforms and ERP system capabilities.
• Experience operating in a public company SOX-compliant environment.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Deep expertise in state indirect and local tax matters supporting large-scale operational and project-based construction or renewables-based businesses.
• Strong business acumen and practical problem-solving skills.
• Superior critical thinking, problem solving, and strategic advisory skills in support of business and operational objectives.
• A collaborative leadership style and passion for developing talent.
• The ability to balance technical excellence with pragmatic business solutions in a rapidly growing environment.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Team organization and leadership in a high-paced commercial environment

Preferred

• Tax, Accounting, or Finance background with CPA and/or Master of Taxation (MST).