Senior Director, Tax Controversy and Strategy

Dreaming big is in our DNA. It’s who we are as a company. It’s our culture. It’s our heritage. And more than ever, it’s our future. A future where we’re always looking forward. Always serving up new ways to meet life’s moments. A future where we keep dreaming bigger. We look for people with passion, talent, and curiosity, and provide them with the teammates, resources and opportunities to unleash their full potential. The power we create together – when we combine your strengths with ours – is unstoppable. Are you ready to join a team that dreams as big as you do?

SALARY: 162,400-223,300, Bonus and Long-Term Incentive Eligible

COMPANY:  

We are home to the nation’s most iconic beer and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA – America’s #1 top-selling beer – as well as Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Cutwater Spirits, and industry-leading craft brands. From our longstanding efforts to support American farmers, military, veterans, and first responders, to emergency drinking water donations and responsible drinking programs, we are guided by our commitment to the communities we call home and the 65,000 hardworking Americans who bring our beer to life. We are powered by a team that shares our passion to create a future with more cheers. Are you ready to join a team that dreams as big as you do? 

ROLE SUMMARY:

The Senior Director, Tax Strategy & Controversy is a senior leadership role within the North America Zone Tax organization, responsible for leading the Company’s federal tax controversy and audit defense efforts while helping shape and govern domestic tax planning initiatives. This position reports to the VP Tax, North America Zone.

This role serves as the primary tax controversy leader for North America, overseeing audit strategy, risk assessment, technical position development, and engagement with tax authorities and external advisors. In addition, the role partners closely with the broader Tax Strategy team to ensure tax planning initiatives are designed, documented, and implemented with a strong focus on sustainability, governance, and defensibility.

The Senior Director collaborates across Tax Strategy, Tax Operations, Legal, Finance, Treasury, and external advisors to ensure the Company’s tax positions are technically supportable, operationally executable, and defensible upon examination.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Tax Controversy & Audit Leadership

• Lead the Company’s federal tax controversy strategy, including management of IRS examinations, appeals matters, and other federal tax authority interactions.
• Develop and execute audit defense strategies for significant tax positions and transactions.
• Oversee responses to Information Document Requests (IDRs), examination inquiries, and technical challenges raised by tax authorities.
• Manage relationships with external advisors, counsel, and subject matter experts supporting controversy matters.
• Evaluate tax risks, settlement opportunities, and litigation considerations in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Keep tax leadership informed of significant developments, risks, and potential financial impacts associated with controversy matters.

Tax Planning Governance & Sustainability

• Partner with the Tax Strategy team to evaluate and develop tax planning initiatives with a focus on sustainability, documentation, and defensibility.
• Assess proposed planning transactions for controversy risk and potential tax authority scrutiny.
• Ensure significant planning initiatives are supported by appropriate factual development, legal analysis, and contemporaneous documentation.
• Establish governance standards for technical memoranda, business purpose documentation, audit readiness, and transaction support.
• Promote a tax planning framework that balances tax efficiency with long-term sustainability and risk management.

Technical Tax Leadership

• Provide technical leadership on complex federal income tax matters, including restructuring transactions, financing arrangements, acquisitions, dispositions, and other strategic initiatives.
• Review and challenge technical analyses prepared by internal teams and external advisors.
• Develop and defend positions supported by tax law, administrative guidance, and judicial authority.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and enforcement developments that may affect the Company’s tax posture.
• Advise tax leadership and executive stakeholders on emerging tax risks and opportunities.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with Tax Operations to ensure planning positions and controversy outcomes are appropriately reflected in tax returns and financial reporting.
• Collaborate with Legal, Finance, Treasury, and business stakeholders on significant transactions and potential controversy matters.
• Support enterprise-wide initiatives requiring complex tax analysis, planning, and risk assessment.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Mentor and develop tax professionals across the Strategy and Operations organizations.
• Foster a culture focused on technical excellence, strong documentation, accountability, and proactive risk management.
• Lead special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.
• Influence tax governance, controversy management, and operational best practices across the North America Zone.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience & Technical Expertise

• Deep expertise in U.S. federal income taxation, tax controversy, audit defense, and IRS examination processes.
• Significant experience managing large corporate IRS examinations, appeals matters, and complex controversy issues.
• Strong background in domestic tax planning, transaction structuring, and technical tax analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to assess and manage tax risk within a multinational environment.
• Experience developing technical memoranda, audit defense files, and position documentation.
• Strong understanding of the interaction between tax planning, tax reporting, and tax compliance.
• Demonstrated expertise in evaluating tax issues through both planning and controversy lenses while balancing tax optimization with sustainable risk management.

Leadership & Professional Skills

• Proven ability to lead complex projects, influence stakeholders, and manage competing priorities.
• Strong executive presence with exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex tax matters to executive and non-tax stakeholders.
• Sound business judgment and a risk-management mindset.
• Demonstrated success building partnerships across Tax, Legal, Finance, Treasury, and business functions.
• Experience coaching and developing tax professionals and building organizational capability.
• Ability to influence decision-making and drive alignment without direct authority.

Technical & Business Competencies

• Exceptional technical research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Ability to translate complex tax law into practical business recommendations.
• Experience preparing high-quality technical analyses, memoranda, and position papers.
• Strong understanding of business operations and financial drivers.
• Ability to integrate tax considerations into broader business planning and strategic decision-making.
• Ownership mentality with a focus on long-term value creation, governance, and responsible tax stewardship.

Systems & Tools

• Experience with leading tax research platforms and tax technology tools.
• Strong Excel, PowerPoint, and data analysis capabilities.
• Familiarity with large ERP environments, including SAP or similar systems.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Law, or a related field required.
• CPA, JD, Master of Taxation (MST), and/or LLM in Taxation strongly preferred.

WHY ANHEUSER-BUSCH:  
At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. For more than 165 years as a leading American manufacturer, Anheuser-Busch has delivered a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. As the nation’s top brewer, one of the fastest growing spirits companies, and an insurgent force in energy drinks, we drive economic prosperity nationwide through investments in our people, facilities, and communities. We are the only alcohol company that invests in the U.S. at this scale.  

BENEFITS: 

• Health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Wellness and Tax-Advantaged Savings and Spending Accounts 
• Life Insurance and Disability Income Protection 
• Generous Parental Leave and FMLA policies 
• 401(k) Retirement Savings options with a company matching contribution 
• Chance to work in a fast-paced environment among a company of owners 
• Free Beer!