Global Tax & Compliance Director

Description

EMPIRE is a premier and dynamic music company that prides itself on the development and support of independent artists. We are a rapidly growing firm that has been making waves in the music industry, with an extensive portfolio that spans multiple genres and reaches audiences worldwide. We have become the largest independent record label in the U.S., with a significant global presence covering Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, and North and South America. We keep ourselves busy with a large range of music-related services from original content and marketing to distribution and recordings. 

Our commitment to artistic creativity, innovation, and progressive business solutions forms the foundation of our corporate culture. We believe in fostering talent, not just in our artists but also within our professional teams. As we continue to expand, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey.

The Role Remix: EMPIRE is seeking a strategic, detail-oriented, and action-driven Global Tax & Compliance Director to join our team in downtown San Francisco. Reporting directly to the CFO, you will serve as the subject matter expert (SME) on all things tax, leading domestic and international tax strategy, planning, and compliance across all EMPIRE businesses and related entities.

This is a dynamic role for a leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, balances independent execution with team leadership, and is eager to innovate, ask questions, and learn as they grow.

Key Responsibilities 

Global Tax Compliance & Provisioning

• Compliance Management: Oversee and manage global tax compliance requirements, ensuring timely submission of all tax returns, withholding tax obligations, transfer pricing documentation, and multi-jurisdictional filings (e.g., VAT/GST).
• Provision & Forecasting: Calculate the global income tax provision for interim and annual financial reporting in strict accordance with relevant accounting standards.
• Year-End & Audits: Manage year-end taxes, address legitimate tax inquiries, and lead tax audits in close collaboration with internal finance teams and external advisors.

Strategic Planning & Infrastructure

• International Strategy: Advise on tax-efficient domestic and international strategies for existing and new jurisdictions.
• Risk Management: Evaluate complex tax matters related to cross-border operations, the setup of foreign entities (subsidiaries/branches), and permanent establishment risks.
• Tech Modernization: Drive operational efficiency by implementing next-generation direct and indirect tax platforms to seamlessly support domestic and cross-border business growth.

Industry Specifics

• Entertainment Tax Operations: Address the unique direct and indirect tax considerations of the music and adjacent entertainment industries, managing the required multi-state and international filings.

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of progressive tax experience within public accounting, private industry, or a business management firm.
• Preferred Qualifications: CPA, JD, or LLM in Taxation
• Industry Expertise: Proven experience in the media and entertainment industry; a background specifically in the music business is highly preferred.
• Diagnostic & Prescriptive Approach: Proven ability to avoid assumptions, ask the right diagnostic questions, and prescribe optimal, highly efficient financial and tax solutions.
• Bias for Action & Innovation: Possess a strong bias for action and leverage modern tools, including AI, to drive reliable, efficient results and processes.
• Technical Mastery: Strong technical knowledge of a broad range of domestic and international tax laws, including international tax structures and withholding tax implications.
• Discretion & Collaboration: Deep understanding of the extreme importance of confidentiality and discretion when managing financial matters for a private company. Demonstrated success working alongside external public accounting firms to execute new tax strategies and sustain compliance.

Pay Range: $150,000 - $175,000/annual salary + benefits + discretionary bonus + profit sharing program

The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

At EMPIRE, we value diversity and always treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

If you are passionate about the music industry, and looking for a challenging role in a fast-paced, innovative environment, apply today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Perks Playlist:

• Competitive Compensation Package
• Competitive Benefits Package
• Company Paid Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Company Paid Health Savings Account (HSA) Contribution
• Healthcare Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Time Off (Holidays, Vacation, and Sick) 
• Company 401(k) Plan
• Wellness Resources
• Commuter Allowance
• Cell Phone Allowance

About EMPIRE: Founded in 2010 by Bay Area native Ghazi, EMPIRE is currently leading through its innovative and progressive approach to the digital music era across its label, distribution and publishing arms. 

With its focus on early stage artist development, the San Francisco based company has been instrumental in identifying future icons and launching the careers of both Multi-platinum and Grammy Award winning artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Fireboy DML, Yung Bleu, Migos, Asake, XXXtentacion, and Anderson .Paak to name a few. After this early success, EMPIRE was quickly regarded as a tastemaker in the industry and premier independent record label.  

More than a decade in, EMPIRE continues to grow – expanding the Publishing division with a partnership with superproducer Hit-Boy and his Surf Club collective and acquiring Dirtybird Records in 2022 to amplify the Dance arm. EMPIRE has expanded the team throughout the globe on the African continent, Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. With the company and roster excelling at a breakneck pace, EMPIRE has effectively disrupted a stale business model by bringing its energy, expertise, and acumen to its artists and labels. 

Through crafting bespoke deals that are always in favor of the artist, EMPIRE is able to form a true partnership with each artist and label on its roster. Coupled with their unique software for analytics, recoupment, and royalties, which is available to every partner, the company offers a level of transparency unprecedented in the music industry.

We use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.