Indirect Tax Manager

Indirect Tax Manager (KONE Americas)

KONE Americas is seeking an Indirect Tax Manager to lead U.S. indirect tax and property tax compliance, governance, and advisory across project-based construction and after-sales service businesses (maintenance, repairs, modernization, spare parts, and service contracts).

This is a high-impact individual contributor role with end-to-end ownership of indirect tax outcomes across all state, city, and county jurisdictions. You will partner with Finance, Accounting, Sales, Service Operations, IT, Legal, and external advisors to ensure compliant, scalable, and business-aligned solutions.

Is This Role For You?

You may be a strong fit if you:

• Take ownership of indirect tax outcomes across multiple teams and jurisdictions
• Lead through influence in a matrixed organization
• Translate complex sales and use tax rules into practical, operational guidance
• Thrive where tax intersects service, maintenance, repairs, spare parts, construction, and property tax obligations
• Manage competing priorities in fast-paced environments
• Prefer preventive controls and system-driven solutions over manual workarounds
• Communicate risks and recommendations clearly to non-tax stakeholders

What You Will Do

As Indirect Tax Manager, you will:

• Lead U.S. state, city, and county indirect tax compliance (sales and use tax, contractor taxes, and related requirements)
• Oversee property tax return review, modernization, and transition toward electronic filing and retention
• Own and manage indirect tax audits end-to-end and implement improvements
• Govern the tax technology landscape (Vertex) to ensure accurate tax determination
• Partner with Sales, Service, Finance, and IT to embed tax into contracts, billing, and systems
• Advise on complex project and service transactions while managing risk
• Drive process improvements, automation, and controls to reduce exposure and manual effort

What Makes This Role Unique

• Influence outcomes across the organization without direct reports
• Operate at the intersection of tax, finance, systems, and frontline operations
• Shape how indirect and property tax are embedded in business processes and offerings
• Exercise judgment, escalate risks, and strengthen tax governance

What We're Looking For

• 8–10+ years of U.S. indirect tax experience (sales and use tax); property tax exposure a plus
• Hands-on experience with Vertex or similar tax engines; SAP a plus
• Experience supporting service-based and/or project-driven businesses
• Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive execution
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Tax; CPA or advanced degree preferred

Location & Work Model

Eligible locations: Lisle, IL; Moline, IL; Allen, TX (hybrid).

Why KONE

KONE values care, collaboration, courage, and customer focus. You'll be trusted to take ownership, partner across functions, and make a meaningful impact on customers and business growth.

Role Purpose

The Indirect Tax Manager leads U.S. state, city, and county indirect tax and property tax compliance, governance, and risk management across KONE's construction and after-sales service businesses.

Operating in a matrixed environment without direct reports, success depends on influencing and coordinating across Finance, Accounting, Operations, Sales, Service, IT, Legal, and external advisors to deliver compliant, efficient, and scalable tax outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead sales and use tax compliance across all U.S. state, city, and county jurisdictions for:
• Construction and modernization projects
• Maintenance, repair, spare parts, and service businesses
• Service contracts, time & material billing, warranties, renewals, and digital sales
• Ensure timely preparation, review, and filing of returns
• Own monthly reconciliation of indirect tax balance sheet accounts and support the close process
• Manage reconciliations covering customer invoices, vendor invoices, and use tax accrual
• Ensure accurate tax treatment for bundled transactions, mixed supplies, contract billing, digital sales, and multi-state service delivery

Property Tax

• Review property tax returns and ensure compliance across applicable jurisdictions
• Drive modernization of property tax processes, including electronic filing and digital record retention
• Improve controls and documentation to replace paper-based filing practices

Tax Technology & Systems Ownership

• Own and manage Vertex, including taxability rules and ongoing maintenance
• Oversee external Vertex support partner (Ryan), including ticket creation, coordination, issue resolution, and follow-up
• Lead indirect tax system initiatives (ERP/SAP integrations, billing enhancements, regulatory updates)
• Partner with IT, Finance, and vendors to ensure system-driven compliance and auditability
• Recommend technology and process improvements to support business growth

Exemptions, Refunds & Reverse Audits

• Manage exemption certificate processes, approvals, and preventive controls
• Identify refund opportunities and lead reverse audits
• Serve as primary interface with customers, operations, and tax authorities on exemption matters

Audits, Controversy & Risk Management

• Lead state and local audits end-to-end, including data preparation, negotiations, and resolution
• Respond to inquiries from tax authorities, customers, vendors, and internal teams
• Perform root-cause analysis of audit findings and implement corrective actions
• Act as escalation point for operational tax issues

Monitoring, Planning & Advisory

• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes affecting construction, services, digital transactions, and property tax
• Assess business impact and provide actionable guidance
• Identify tax planning opportunities (exemptions, credits, deferrals, process improvements)
• Evaluate tax implications early for new products, services, and contracts

Governance, Controls & Training

• Maintain the internal control framework for indirect and property tax
• Design monitoring, reconciliation, and compliance controls
• Provide training to Sales, Service, Operations, and Finance teams
• Act as a trusted advisor ensuring consistent tax application across business lines

1099 Oversight

• Retain oversight and review responsibility for the 1099 process, including supervision of execution
• Partner with Finance team members performing day-to-day work to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely filing
• Drive process clarity and continuity as responsibilities evolve

Ways of Working – Influence-Based Leadership

• Drive results through influence rather than authority
• Build strong relationships across functions and external partners
• Lead change tied to systems, audits, regulatory updates, and new business models
• Actively manage external advisors and vendors to ensure accountability and issue resolution

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Deep understanding of controls and risk management
• High ownership, accountability, and ability to work independently
• Continuous improvement mindset and change leadership
• Effective stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and consistently meet tight deadlines

Systems & Communication

• Experience