Vice President Taxes

Position: Vice President, Tax

Location/Department: Richmond Headquarters/Tax

Status: Full-Time/Salaried Exempt
Reports To: SVP, Chief Financial Officer

Our Company

The Global Leader in Premium Leaf Tobacco Supply

Universal Leaf Tobacco Company is the world’s leading supplier of premium leaf tobacco, with over 100 years of experience sourcing, processing, and delivering tobacco crops tailored to customer specifications. With operations spanning major tobacco-regions across five continents, we connect hundreds of thousands of farmers to global manufacturers through a reliable, transparent, and traceable supply chain.

Our portfolio includes flue-cured, burley, oriental, and dark tobaccos, supported by deep agronomic expertise and advanced processing capabilities. Beyond the leaf, we offer value-added services such as customized blending, next-generation nicotine solutions, recycled by-products, and digital traceability tools that enhance efficiency and sustainability across the supply chain.

Universal Leaf Tobacco is more than a supplier – we are a long-term partner committed to responsible sourcing, farmer support, and continuous innovation. By investing in agricultural communities and upholding the highest standards of quality and compliance, we help ensure a resilient tobacco supply for generations to come.

Summary

As a Vice President, Tax at Universal, you will lead the company’s global tax function, driving tax strategy, compliance, reporting, and risk management across a multinational organization. You will advise executive leadership on complex domestic and international tax matters, oversee tax accounting and SEC reporting, optimize tax-efficient business structures, and lead global tax planning, audit management, and technology initiatives. Additionally, you will develop a high-performing tax team while ensuring compliance, strong controls, and alignment with Universal’s strategic objectives.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Develop and execute Universal’s global tax strategy in alignment with business objectives to include optimizing the Company’s effective tax rate and cash position while maintaining compliance and managing risk.
• Monitor emerging tax legislation, regulatory developments, and global tax trends while assessing and communicating to stakeholders the impact on Universal.
• Advise leadership on tax implications of strategic initiatives, acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, and expansions both domestic and international.
• Collaborate with corporate policy, legal, treasury, and finance teams to evaluate tax and other Universal initiatives.
• Actively lead the worldwide income tax accounting and reporting under U.S. GAAP and SEC requirements.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation and filing of global tax returns and related filings.
• Direct quarterly and annual tax provisioning processes, including management of uncertain tax positions.
• Maintain effective controls over tax processes and support SOX compliance requirements.
• Lead international tax planning initiatives and transfer pricing strategies, including advising on cross-border transactions, repatriation strategies, and other international tax matters.
• Manage Universal’s legal entity structure and continually analyze to support tax-efficiencies and strategic growth initiatives.
• Establish and maintain a tax risk management structure including assisting with international tax audits and advising on tax risks.
• Manage external tax audits and communications with Universal’s legal and finance teams for audits, desk examinations, and controversial disputes.
• Drive tax technology transformation, build efficiencies in process and automation initiatives including Universal’s income tax compliance and ASC 740 functions.
• Manage external advisors, consultants, and service providers within budgeting and approval guidelines set forth by Universal’s audit committee.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing global tax team to include future tax leaders.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• Certified Public Accountant, Master of Taxation, JD, or equivalent advanced tax credential.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible public accounting or corporate tax leadership experience, including multinational and public company experience.
• Strong experience in ASC 740 income tax accounting and SEC reporting requirements
• Consolidated US federal, US international, and foreign income tax compliance and provision experience.
• Experienced working with complex Microsoft Excel workbooks and formulas.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including working with international personnel.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams in fast-paced environments.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience in a multinational public company with operations in multiple jurisdictions.
• Familiarity with OECD Pillar Two, global minimum tax regulations, country-by-country, and emerging international tax initiatives.
• Direct experience and/or technical knowledge of international tax issues outside of federal income tax, such as transfer pricing, FBAR, international withholding, country-by-country reporting, and permanent establishment.
• Skilled with tax research tools such as Bloomberg, RIA, or CCH.
• Advanced experience with income tax software (OneSource preferred) or implementing tax technology and automation solutions.
• Advanced experience with Microsoft Office Suite applications, especially Excel.

Benefits We offer a wide range of market-competitive total rewards that include 401(k) match, pension, merit increases, paid holidays, medical, dental, life, vision, short and long-term disability benefits, and tuition assistance to name a few.

EOE M/F/Disabled/Vet Employer

All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

The salary range for this position is $225,00 - $325,000. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, qualifications, and internal equity, in alignment with our compensation structure.