VP, Global Tax

📋 Description

• • Own the end-to-end global tax function for Freshworks Inc., a high-growth SaaS company listed on NASDAQ. You will sit on the executive leadership team and report directly to the CFO, shaping tax strategy for 4,000+ employees across 13 countries and $500M+ in annual revenue.
• • Architect and execute a multi-year tax roadmap that lowers the effective tax rate (ETR) by 300–500 bps while remaining fully compliant with ASC 740, BEPS 2.0, and local GAAP. Translate complex legislative changes—such as Pillar Two global minimum tax—into clear, actionable guidance for the Board, Audit Committee, and business unit leaders.
• • Lead all aspects of the quarterly and annual tax provision, including uncertain tax positions, valuation allowances, and rate reconciliations. Partner with Corporate Accounting to ensure Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) controls are designed, documented, and tested to a “no material weakness” standard.
• • Drive M&A tax due diligence, structuring, and post-deal integration for tuck-in acquisitions and strategic partnerships valued at up to $250M. Model cash, GAAP, and EPS impacts of alternative structures (asset vs. stock, 338(h)(10), cross-border mergers) to optimize deal economics.
• • Own global transfer pricing policy design, documentation, and defense. Maintain contemporaneous TP studies for intercompany SaaS licenses, cost-sharing arrangements, and limited-risk distributor models. Manage APA negotiations and MAP proceedings to eliminate double taxation risk.
• • Oversee direct and indirect tax compliance across 30+ jurisdictions—federal, state, local, and foreign income taxes, GST/VAT, sales & use, digital services taxes, and payroll taxes. Implement a technology-first compliance stack (Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE, Vertex, Alteryx) to automate data ingestion, return prep, and audit trails.
• • Serve as the primary relationship owner for IRS, HMRC, ATO, and other key revenue authorities. Manage all audits, IDR responses, and dispute resolution processes. Maintain an audit reserve matrix and litigation tracker with quantified downside scenarios.
• • Build, mentor, and scale a world-class tax organization of 15–20 professionals across the US, India, EMEA, and APAC. Establish competency maps, succession plans, and a rotation program that develops future tax leaders while reducing external advisory spend by 20%.
• • Partner with FP&A, Treasury, Legal, and People teams on cash repatriation strategies, equity plan taxation, BEAT, and Section 174 R&E capitalization. Deliver executive-level dashboards that translate tax metrics into business KPIs (cash tax rate, cash conversion cycle, EPS impact).
• • Monitor emerging tax legislation (e.g., EU DAC7, India Equalization Levy, US book minimum tax) and publish monthly “Tax Watch” briefings that enable proactive decision-making. Represent Freshworks at industry forums, Big-4 roundtables, and policy consultations.