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Senior Tax Director

Brownsville, WI Corporate Office  ; Milwaukee, WI  ; Neenah, WI  

Position Summary:

Improving America’s infrastructure isn’t for the weak. It takes grit, determination, and hard work to execute high impact projects. Michels Corporation engages 8,000 people and 18,000 pieces of heavy equipment in our insatiable drive to be the best. Our work improves lives. Find out how a career as a Senior Tax Director can change yours.

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Senior Tax Director to lead the tax function of our family-owned multinational construction and engineering company. This role oversees all aspects of tax strategy, compliance, planning, and risk management. It places strong emphasis on S corporation and partnership flow-through taxation, construction industry-specific tax issues, and family ownership dynamics. In addition to corporate tax leadership, this role will serve as a key liaison with the family office, helping to align the company’s tax strategy with shareholder financial planning, estate strategies, and long-term generational wealth preservation.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Tax Leadership:

  • Develop and execute global and domestic tax strategies that align with both business goals and family ownership priorities.
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to executive management and family stakeholders on tax matters including M&A, entity structuring, and succession planning.
  • Ensure tax strategy supports long-term capital preservation, shareholder liquidity needs, and intergenerational planning goals.

Family-Owned Business & Flow-Through Entity Expertise:

  • Manage all aspects of S corporation and partnership taxation, including K-1 reporting, shareholder basis tracking, distributions, and compliance with IRS flow-through rules.
  • Work directly with family shareholders and their representatives on tax implications of business income, distributions, and investment activities.
  • Ensure transparency and clarity in tax communications between the business and the family office.

Construction Industry Tax Management:

  • Oversee tax treatment of industry-specific issues such as percentage-of-completion accounting (IRC §460), multi-state job site operations, contractor licensing, cost allocations, and tangible property regulations.
  • Support joint ventures, design-build contracts, and infrastructure projects from a tax structuring perspective.

Compliance & Reporting:

  • Manage the preparation and filing of all tax returns, including federal, state, local, and international; oversee quarterly and annual tax provisions under US GAAP (ASC 740); ensure compliance with multi-state and international tax laws relevant to project execution.

Family Office Collaboration:

  • Coordinate closely with the family office team and external advisors on tax planning, cash flow, estate and trust matters to ensure alignment with family estate plans, business operations, and long-term financial structures.

Tax Planning & Optimization:

  • Identify and implement tax-saving strategies at the corporate and shareholder levels, including flow-through optimization, state apportionment planning, SALT cap workarounds, use of tax credits (e.g., R&D, energy incentives), and evaluate tax implications of shareholder exits, generational transfers, or ownership restructuring.

Audit & Risk Management:

  • Manage IRS, state, and international tax audits, including those involving shareholder and entity-level examinations.
  • Manage tax audits, maintain strong controls, lead a high-performing team, and collaborate cross-functionally while ensuring discretion with business teams and family shareholders.

Preferred Attributes:

  • Understanding of estate and succession planning in the context of family-owned businesses.
  • Experience collaborating with family office professionals, estate attorneys, and fiduciary advisors.
  • Ability to balance tax optimization with long-term family and business governance.
  • Strategic mindset paired with operational precision.

Why Join Us:

  • Play a central role in guiding the tax strategy of a values-driven, multi-generational family business.
  • Work at the intersection of construction innovation, global operations, and private wealth management.
  • Engage directly with both executive leadership and family stakeholders on high-impact financial decisions.
  • Enjoy a competitive compensation package, generous benefits, and a unique opportunity for long-term professional and personal fulfillment.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; CPA required; JD or master’s in taxation preferred.
  • 10+ years of progressive tax experience, including:
    • Hands-on experience with S corporation and flow-through entity taxation
    • Experience supporting or working directly with family offices or high-net-worth individuals
    • Familiarity with tax issues unique to the construction and engineering industry
  • Expertise in ASC 740 tax accounting, multi-entity structuring, and closely held business taxation.
  • Proven ability to manage complex tax environments and advise senior leadership and family stakeholders.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a high level of discretion.

 

AA/EOE/M/W/Vet/Disability

 

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