Senior Tax Controversy Manager
About the team
The Legal General team performs a variety of legal activities in accordance with the established standards of the legal profession to protect the organization's reputation and business interests and help ensure it complies with all relevant laws and regulations. Prepares legal contracts, letters of agreement, and other documents related to a variety of trade, commercial, financial, and operational matters (e.g., loans, leases, purchase agreements, acquisitions, divestitures, employment contracts). Represents the organization in legal proceedings before courts, government agencies, or other authorities.
About the role
Whirlpool is seeking qualified candidates for a Senior Manager of Tax Controversy position to join our Global Tax Team. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Tax Controversy, you will play a pivotal role in managing and defending the company's tax positions across multiple, concurrent global tax audits. As a senior leader in a large multinational manufacturing enterprise, you will oversee high-stakes audit cycles, coordinate complex Information Document Requests (IDRs), collaborate with internal legal and transfer pricing teams, and partner with external advisors to mitigate exposure and achieve optimal audit resolutions. This role is located at our WoW Studios Office in Chicago. Located in the historic Reid-Murdoch building, at the edge of the beautiful Chicago Riverwalk, WoW Studios and the World of Whirlpool host an immersive customer experience, inspiring audiences with Whirlpool Corporation's iconic brands. This role is fully onsite and a comprehensive relocation package is available for eligible candidates.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary day-to-day point of contact for IRS audit teams and foreign tax authorities across multiple active examination cycles
- Direct and manage responses to tax authority requests, including Information Document Requests (IDRs), Notices of Proposed Adjustment (NOPAs), and Revenue Agent Reports (RARs)
- Draft, review, and refine technical protest letters, position papers, and audit submissions
- Develop and execute defendable audit strategies to resolve contentious, high-value tax issues
- Work with global colleagues to monitor and resolve international tax audit activity
- Collaborate with domestic tax, transfer pricing, and international tax teams to evaluate audit risk and build "audit-ready" files and robust factual/legal documentation
- Assess the impact of evolving tax laws, regulations, judicial precedents, and IRS procedural updates on open tax years and audit strategies
- Provide risk assessments and financial impact data to leadership regarding potential audit outcomes and settlement opportunities
- Manage relationships and workflows with external legal counsel, Big 4 accounting firms, and specialized controversy advisors
Minimum requirements
- Bachelor's Degree
- JD from an accredited law school
- 6+ years of experience as a tax lawyer in tax positions at a law firm, global tax consulting firm, or a publicly-traded, multinational organization
Preferred skills and experience
- LLM in Taxation
- Proven ability to design, lead, and implement global tax planning strategies
- Substantial experience on tax due diligence engagements
- Significant capability to assess tax risk and identify issues that require escalation
- Exceptional ability to work across functional areas, build consensus, and foster teamwork
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple competing projects
- Ability to represent the tax department in project meetings and provide specific tax technical guidance to non-tax working groups
What we offer
- Generous benefits package
- Whirlpool employee discount
- Fitness & educational reimbursement programs
- Kitchenettes
- Beautiful, recently renovated office space (Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations)
- Barista Bar (Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations)
- Biking/walking trails (Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations)
- Access to The Eddy - Early Childhood Center, depending upon availability (additional costs required, Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations)
Pay
Compensation: $112,500 - $225,000 + Annual Bonus
Schedule
This role is fully onsite, Monday through Friday.