State and Local Tax, Associate Director

About Cognizant

Cognizant Corporate is a global community dedicated to making a meaningful impact. We are committed to excellence and driven by outcomes that matter. Collaboration is central to our operations, and we fuel continuous learning, innovation, and growth through our forward-thinking mindset.

About The Role

You will oversee all state and local direct and indirect tax matters, including income, franchise, sales/use, and property taxes. You will lead state and local tax planning initiatives and manage audits across multiple jurisdictions. You will coordinate state income tax rate calculations with the global tax accounting team and review tax provisions and filings. You will manage tax implications of acquisitions, including integration, uncertain tax positions, and mitigation strategies. You will drive process improvements, automation, and standardization of tax compliance, reporting, and audit support activities.

To be considered for this role, you must have:

• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in a corporate tax function, including public accounting or law firm experience
• Strong experience in U.S. state and local tax, including direct and indirect taxes
• A strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Experience with financial and tax systems such as Oracle, Hyperion Financial Manager, or PeopleSoft
• A strong sense of ownership, desire to create meaningful outcomes, and passion for work that serves a greater good for customers, communities, or global challenges
• The embodiment of Cognizant’s Values of: Work as One, Dare to Innovate, Raise the Bar, Do The Right Thing, & Own It

What You Must Have

• CPA, JD, or Master of Taxation preferred
• Knowledge of indirect tax engines such as Vertex or similar tools
• Strong management and leadership capabilities with a hands-on approach
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to work effectively across multiple teams and business functions

Schedule

This is an Onsite position requiring presence in a Cognizant or client office in Bergen County, NJ. The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you're engaged in, as well as business and client requirements.

Pay

The annual salary for this position is between $150,000-$170,000, depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Application Information

Applications will be accepted until July 10, 2026.