Tax Director (34741)

Come work for the leading employer in the Coachella Valley. Agua Caliente offers a comprehensive benefit and compensation package that includes rich medical and dental benefits, a 401k plan with employer match, more than 3 weeks of paid time off per year for newly hired employees, lunch provided daily, and other great benefits like food and beverage discounts at our three casinos, fuel discounts, tuition and wellness reimbursement, plus much, more.  

WHO ARE WE: The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Palm Springs, California, with 34,000 acres of reservation lands that spread across Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, and into the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains. The Tribe currently owns and operates two 18-hole championship golf courses, 3 casinos located in Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, and downtown Palm Springs, the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza, two world class spas, residential developments, commercial properties, and fuel stations. For more information about the Tribe, visit www.aguacaliente-nsn.gov.

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Tax Director shall be directly responsible to the Tribal Council for the direction, control, and operation of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Tax Department.  The Tax Director will be responsible for managing and expanding the Tax Department, which includes formulating all department administrative policies, processes, tax programs, along with defining all staffing and scope of work.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for the development, execution, and/or evaluation of program policies in support of administering taxes as prescribed by law and for administrative services to the Tax Department, including data processing, accounting, records management, publications, collection of delinquent accounts, personnel services, and budget and property control.
• Provide an integrated, coordinated, and uniform system of tax administration and revenue collection for the Tribe, including a coordinated electronic method of collecting all taxes.
• Serve as the highest-level technical resource to departmental management and legal staff on matters concerning audit, compliance, tax, or fee policy issues.
• Serve as principal technical advisor who independently reviews and negotiates resolution to the most sensitive taxpayer issues and complaints requiring a high level of technical knowledge in all tax and fee programs administered by the department.
• Assist other departments, agencies, or institutions of the Tribe, state, local, Indian tribal and federal governments in the furtherance of its purposes, objectives, and programs.
• Advise, and make recommendations to, the Tribal Council on all matters concerning its objectives.
• Develop department staffing model to meet short and long-term business plans.
• Cultivates a productive work environment by setting clear expectations, being consistent, trustworthy, and by applying fair guidelines and rules. Encourages open communication and input from staff.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises ACBCI Tax Department.  Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of all functions; carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the tribal policies, procedures, and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing department; addressing and resolving departmental problems and assisting when solicited in addressing organizational challenges.

DESIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated knowledge of issues related to CA state and tribal taxation such as dual taxation, tax assessments, exemptions, reporting, and tax avoidance.
• Demonstrated knowledge of CA state and U.S. federal laws, rules, policies, and procedures relating to tax issues affecting tribal programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of possessory interest taxation and transient occupancy taxation is a plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge of CA Regulation 1616 regarding taxation of transactions in Indian country.
• Demonstrated executive experience overseeing major tax programs, including experience working with CA Franchise Tax Board, CDTFA, or a County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office.
• Demonstrated experience with large scale automated systems and a sound knowledge of the role of automation in the tax operations environment.
• Knowledge of the organization and functions of the California State Tax departments including the organization and practices of the Franchise Tax Board or CDTFA.
• Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures, and practices.
• Strong leadership and staff development skills, including the ability to set a compelling vision, inspire change, encourage efficiencies, mentor others, and build effective working teams.
• Preference will be given to candidates licensed to practice law in CA, CPA’s, or candidates with other professional designations.  Experience in organizational leadership roles at the State or County level is desired.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, interpret, and implement tax policy in coordination with Tribal leadership, including alignment with tribal sovereignty, economic development goals, and intergovernmental agreements.
• Experience advising executive leadership and governing bodies on complex tax and fiscal matters.
• Experience managing tax audits, appeals, and administrative hearings, including coordination with outside counsel and subject-matter experts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of tax protest, refund, and appeal procedures at the state and local level.
• Ability to design and oversee compliance programs to ensure timely reporting, payment, documentation, and internal controls across multiple tax types.
• Demonstrated experience designing or modernizing tax administration programs, including procedures, workflows, and internal controls.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, and use hands to type, reach, and lift a minimum of 25 pounds. 

Typically, the individual will be housed in an office environment but may occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions.