Tax Director - Remote

at  Hydromga

ABOUT US

FirstLight is a leading clean power producer, developer, and energy storage company serving North America. With a diversified portfolio that includes over 1.65 GW of operating renewable energy and energy storage technologies and a development pipeline with 4+ GW of solar, battery, hydro, onshore wind and offshore wind projects, FirstLight specializes in hybrid solutions that pair hydroelectric, pumped-hydro storage (including Northfield Mountain, the largest energy storage facility in New England), utility-scale solar, large-scale battery, and wind assets. The company’s mission is to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid by supporting the development, operation, and integration of renewable energy and storage to meet the world’s growing clean energy needs and deliver an electric system that is clean, reliable, affordable, and equitable. Based in Burlington, MA, with operating offices in Northfield, MA, New Milford, CT, Oshawa, ON and Montréal, QC, FirstLight is a steward of more than 14,000 acres and hundreds of miles of shoreline along some of the most beautiful rivers and lakes in North America.
In Canada, FirstLight operates through its subsidiaries H2O Power and the recently acquired Hydroméga which is headquartered in Montréal. We operate 18 hydroelectric generating stations located in Ontario and Quebec and we are one of the largest providers of hydroelectric power in these provinces. FirstLight is wholly owned by PSP Investments, one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers. We have over 200 employees in Canada and the US.
We proudly serve our host communities and beyond through our clean energy assets, the recreation spaces we steward, the jobs we produce, and the economic benefit we deliver through our operations and charitable actions.

POSITION DETAIL:

We are looking for an experienced Tax Director to join our Finance team for this remote role in Canada.
Reporting to the Sr. VP, Finance, the Tax Director is responsible for overseeing and managing all tax-related functions within the Company globally, with a current focus on Canada and the United States, ensuring the accurate and timely handling of all tax matters. The Tax Director will take a strategic approach to comprehensive tax planning and compliance, including stakeholder management (e.g., consultants, tax representatives of Parent (PSP), and senior Company executives.
Our ideal candidate possesses experience, passion and energy to be a driving force in FirstLight’s continued evolution to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid to meet the clean energy needs of tomorrow.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or taxation, required; Master’s Degree in Taxation, preferred.
• 7+ years of US and/or Canadian tax related experience, required.
• 3+ years of experience in a Sr. Management or Director-level role.
• Certified Public Accountant or Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant, preferred.
• Demonstrated initiative with strong analytical and critical thinking skills and the ability to work independently with little direction.
• Demonstrated skills in the areas of planning, organizing, and project management.
• Proficient with Excel and entire MS Suite.
• Strong commitment toward adherence to exacting standards and best work practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel between the Canada and the US.

• Supervise the tax review and input into acquisition structuring / deal flow;
• Report to the Board of Directors and senior leadership regarding reporting, compliance, and status of all tax matters;
• Proactively identify and assess techniques to minimize tax liabilities;
• Conduct extensive tax research on topics including, but not limited to new tax laws and provide guidance and recommendations including impact on financial reporting;
• Serve as primary contact for Big 4 firm and other advisors who provide tax consulting and compliance services;
• Manage complex Canadian and US tax returns and tax projections;
• Oversee the entire tax return process including U.S. federal income tax returns, state and local returns, Form 1042/1042 and W-8 compliance;
• Coordinate with tax representatives of Parent (PSP) regarding U.S. tax aspects impacting the aggregated group, with respect to Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT), Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax (BEAT) to achieve consistent reporting;
• Prepare and review correspondence to the CRA, IRS, state, provincial and local tax authorities, and manage tax audits;
• Manage the quarterly and annual interaction and calculation of estimated payments, corporate distributions, related U.S. earnings and profits (E&P) estimates, U.S. withholding tax deposits, and tax provisions for financial reporting;
• Maintain and review policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure proper tax compliance;
• Provide guidance to Accounting team on sales tax matters;
• Serve as the subject matter expert on all tax related issues;
• Conduct training on tax issues, preparation of returns, and Company procedures;
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.