Director, Property Tax

Job Description

Job Description

The Director, Property Tax is responsible for leading the Company's enterprise property tax function across a national residential real estate portfolio. This role develops and executes strategies to optimize property tax expense, improve forecast accuracy, ensure compliance with all state and local taxing jurisdictions, and maximize value through assessment reviews and appeals. The Director serves as the Company's subject matter expert on property taxation and partners closely with Finance, Acquisitions, Asset Management, Operations, Legal, and external tax consultants to support business objectives. The role is responsible for property tax budgeting, forecasting, assessment analysis, appeals management, tax payment oversight, reporting, data analytics, and continuous process improvement.

This position utilizes technology, automation, and advanced analytics to drive efficiencies, identify risks and opportunities, and provide actionable insights that support portfolio performance and profitability.

Property Tax Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the Company's enterprise property tax strategy.
• Lead all property tax activities across the Company's portfolio of single-family rental homes and related assets.
• Establish policies, procedures, controls, and governance processes related to property tax administration.
• Serve as the primary internal advisor regarding property tax matters and emerging legislative or regulatory developments.
• Identify opportunities to reduce property tax expense while maintaining compliance and minimizing business risk.

Assessment Management & Appeals

• Direct annual assessment review processes across all applicable jurisdictions.
• Identify properties for valuation review, challenge, and appeal.
• Oversee third-party consultants, attorneys, and tax service providers supporting assessment appeals and tax administration.
• Develop strategies to maximize appeal success rates and return on investment.
• Monitor appeal outcomes and incorporate results into future valuation and forecasting models.
• Prepare business cases supporting significant appeal activity and tax savings initiatives.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning

• Lead property tax budgeting and forecasting processes for annual operating plans, long-range plans, and periodic forecasts.
• Develop predictive models to estimate future property tax liabilities and valuation trends.
• Partner with FP&A and Accounting to ensure accurate accruals, reserves, and financial reporting.
• Analyze tax expense trends, assessment increases, and market conditions impacting property tax costs.
• Provide executive leadership with insights regarding tax expense risks and opportunities.

Compliance & Tax Administration

• Ensure timely payment of all property tax obligations.
• Oversee tax calendar administration and jurisdictional filing requirements.
• Monitor tax notices, assessments, exemptions, abatements, and payment statuses.
• Ensure compliance with state and local property tax regulations across all markets.
• Coordinate internal and external audits related to property tax matters.

Data Analytics, Technology & Process Improvement

• Develop dashboards, scorecards, and key performance indicators to monitor property tax performance.
• Utilize large data sets to identify valuation anomalies, assessment trends, appeal opportunities, and portfolio-level risks.
• Partner with Data & Analytics teams to enhance automation and reporting capabilities.
• Leverage AI, predictive analytics, and business intelligence tools to improve decision-making and forecast accuracy.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that increase efficiency and strengthen operational controls.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships with property tax consultants, appeal firms, outside counsel, and tax technology providers.
• Establish service-level expectations and performance metrics for external partners.
• Collaborate with Asset Management, Acquisitions, Market Operations, Legal, and Finance teams.
• Present property tax performance, forecasts, savings initiatives, and emerging risks to senior leadership.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop members of the property tax team.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability measures.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and service excellence.
• Support succession planning and professional development efforts.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Real Estate, Economics, Business Administration, or related field.
• Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive experience in property tax administration, real estate taxation, valuation, assessment appeals, or related disciplines.
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience.
• Experience managing property tax matters across multiple states and jurisdictions.
• Experience working with large real estate portfolios.
• Demonstrated experience leading assessment review and appeal programs.
• Experience developing financial forecasts and managing budgets.
• Experience utilizing data analytics and reporting tools to support decision-making.
• Certified Member of the Institute (CMI) designation.
• CPA, CFA, MAI, CCIM, or similar professional designation.
• Experience within single-family rental, institutional real estate, REIT, multifamily, or private equity-backed organizations.
• Experience with property tax software platforms and automation tools.
• Advanced experience in data analytics, Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or similar business intelligence platforms.

Property Tax Expertise

• Extensive knowledge of property tax assessment methodologies and appeal processes.
• Strong understanding of real estate valuation principles.
• Familiarity with jurisdictional tax regulations across multiple states.

Financial & Analytical Skills

• Advanced financial modeling and forecasting skills.
• Ability to analyze large data sets and identify actionable insights.
• Strong quantitative and problem-solving abilities.

Technology Skills

• Advanced Excel proficiency.
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or similar reporting tools.
• Working knowledge of automation, AI-enabled analytics, and data visualization technologies.

Leadership & Communication

• Strong executive presence and communication skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across all organizational levels.
• Proven vendor management and negotiation capabilities.
• Ability to translate complex technical information into business-focused recommendations.

 

 

• Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

• Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

• Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and

exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

• Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

• Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

• Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

• Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

• Ability to handle sensitive situations with empathy and professionalism.

 

 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Frequently remains in a stationary position while working at a computer workstation.
• Frequently operates a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other standard office equipment.
• Occasionally moves about the office to access files, meeting rooms, and office equipment.
• Frequently communicates with others verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret detailed financial, tax, legal, and operational information.
• May occasionally lift and move items weighing up to 15 pounds.

FirstKey Homes is an equal opportunity employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment based on race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, genetic information or any other legally protected classification or status.

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