Indirect Tax Specialist

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Sales & Use (S&U) tax professional currently at the Senior Analyst level with hands-on Avalara experience who is ready to take the next step into a Tax Manager / Tax Lead role. This individual will lead the tax function for a rapidly growing $100M+ organization.

This is a standalone position responsible for overseeing all tax-related activities, with a strong emphasis on sales and use tax and Avalara.

The ideal candidate is a proactive leader who can build processes, manage external advisors, and drive operational improvements while supporting the company’s growth and acquisition strategy.

Location: Houston, TX (in office 3x per week)

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Use Tax

• Manage all aspects of sales and use tax compliance, including filings, reporting, and payments across multiple jurisdictions
• Oversee and optimize Avalara, ensuring proper implementation, accuracy, and scalability
• Maintain exemption certificates and ensure proper taxability determinations
• Monitor nexus and ensure compliance with state and local tax regulations
• Lead and manage sales and use tax audits, including responses to notices

Tax Management & Compliance Oversight

• Serve as the primary liaison with external tax advisors and service providers
• Review and ensure accuracy of externally prepared tax filings, including income tax returns
• Coordinate tax compliance calendars and ensure timely filings
• Ensure adherence to all federal, state, and local tax requirements

Process Development & Improvement

• Evaluate current (outsourced) tax processes and design, implement, and scale internal processes and controls
• Identify opportunities for automation and efficiency improvements
• Develop documentation and internal policies for tax procedures
• Support long-term strategy to bring select tax functions in-house

Strategic & Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with accounting and finance teams to ensure proper tax treatment of transactions
• Support tax due diligence and integration efforts related to acquisitions
• Monitor changes in tax legislation and assess impact on the business
• Assist with tax planning initiatives and identify potential risks and opportunities

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• 3–5+ years of tax experience, with a strong focus on sales and use tax
• Hands-on experience with Avalara
• Experience managing multi-state tax compliance and audits
• Proven ability to build or improve tax processes
• Strong understanding of transaction tax regulations

Preferred

• Experience in a high-growth or mid-sized company environment
• Exposure to M&A or multi-entity structures
• Experience managing or reviewing outsourced tax functions
• CPA or advanced degree (preferred but not required)

Skills & Competencies

• Highly proactive and self-directed
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on accuracy
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication skills across internal and external stakeholders

Key Success Factors

• Ability to quickly take ownership of the tax function
• Strong execution in sales and use tax compliance and Avalara management
• Effective oversight of external providers
• Success in building scalable, efficient tax processes from the ground up