Tax Director (Rochester)

Tax Director

Rochester, NY

JK Executive Strategies is proud to partner with a well-established, growing organization w ho is seeking a talented tax professional to step into a highly visible Tax Director role and help lead the continued evolution of its tax function. This is an exceptional opportunity for a Tax Manager or Senior Tax Manager ready to take the next step in their career, particularly someone looking to transition from public accounting into a role offering greater autonomy, broader leadership responsibility, and the opportunity to directly influence the growth and direction of a tax practice.

The Tax Director will combine hands-on technical expertise with leadership and strategic responsibility. In addition to overseeing complex tax matters and proactive planning, this individual will have the opportunity to shape how the tax function operates and grows—enhancing processes, developing talent, introducing new capabilities and technology, and helping define the future client service model. For the right individual, this is more than a traditional tax position. It is an opportunity to move beyond managing engagements and deadlines and into a role with true ownership, visibility, and influence.

What Makes This Opportunity Different

• A genuine step into leadership. Take on Director-level responsibility with the opportunity to influence strategy, operations, people, and growth.
• Greater ownership and autonomy. Help shape the tax function rather than simply inherit an established way of doing things.
• Broader client impact. Move beyond compliance work and play a meaningful role in proactive tax planning and sophisticated financial advisory matters.
• Direct organizational impact. Work collaboratively with senior professionals and have a voice in decisions affecting the continued development of the tax offering.
• Opportunity to build. Improve processes, leverage technology, develop talent, and help determine how the function scales.

A compelling alternative to the traditional public accounting path. Apply the technical expertise and leadership skills developed in public accounting in an entrepreneurial environment with broader responsibility and influence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continue to develop the organization's tax function, including service standards, processes, technology, workflow, and quality-control practices.
• Provide proactive tax planning, advisory services, and strategic guidance on complex individual and business tax matters.
• Oversee the preparation and review of federal, state, and local tax filings, including individual, trust, partnership, and S corporation returns (Forms 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120S, and related filings).
• Serve as a senior technical resource on complex tax matters and provide practical guidance to internal professionals and clients.
• Represent clients and serve as an authorized agent, when appropriate, in matters involving federal, state, and local taxing authorities.
• Maintain strong quality-control standards, including review of complex and high-impact returns.
• Evaluate and enhance tax workflow management, planning calendars, documentation standards, and risk-management practices to support continued growth.
• Analyze client tax positions and financial information to identify planning opportunities and provide forward-looking recommendations.
• Research advanced and emerging tax matters and translate technical findings into clear, actionable guidance.
• Develop, supervise, and mentor tax professionals while establishing high standards for technical quality, efficiency, accountability, and client service.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, technology utilization, and service delivery.
• Lead strategic initiatives related to the continued evolution of the tax function, including technology implementations, service enhancements, and client education initiatives.
• Collaborate with professionals across the organization to provide coordinated solutions for complex client needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; degree in Accounting, Finance, Taxation, or a related discipline preferred.
• Active CPA or Enrolled Agent (EA) credential required.
• 5+ years of progressive tax experience, ideally within public accounting or a sophisticated tax advisory environment.
• Strong technical expertise in individual, business, trust, and estate taxation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local tax laws and regulations.
• Experience reviewing complex tax returns and providing tax planning and advisory guidance.
• Demonstrated leadership potential, including experience supervising, mentoring, developing, or reviewing the work of other tax professionals.
• Experience improving workflows, processes, technology, or service delivery within a tax environment.
• Ability to manage complex tax matters while balancing multiple priorities and deadline-driven workflows.
• Strong analytical judgment, intellectual curiosity, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent client communication and relationship-management capabilities, including the ability to translate complex tax concepts into practical recommendations.
• Collaborative, self-directed, and comfortable operating with increasing levels of autonomy and accountability.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and an interest in helping build and shape a growing tax function.

Prior Director-level experience is not required. We are equally interested in accomplished Tax Managers and Senior Tax Managers who have demonstrated the technical expertise, leadership ability, and initiative to take the next step in their careers.

Salary Range

$145,000–$165,000 base salary, plus variable compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

JK Executive Strategies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of JK Executive Strategies to provide equal opportunity in employment and conditions of employment to all individuals regardless of age, race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, veteran or military status, disability, pregnancy-related condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, genetic information, marital status, familial status, prior arrest, domestic violence victim status, non-job related convictions, participation in lawful activities outside of our workplace, or any other status protected by law.