Director, State Tax

Position: Director, State Income Tax
Company Summary DISH, an Echo Star Company, has been reimagining the future of connectivity for more than 40 years. Our business reach spans satellite television service, live-streaming and on-demand programming, smart home installation services, mobile plans and products, and now we are building America’s First Smart Network™.Today, our brands include Echo Star, Hughes, DISH TV, Sling TV, Boost Mobile, OnTech and Gen Mobile.

Department Summary As the Director State Income Tax, you will lead the strategic direction, audit, compliance, provision, and planning for all state and local income and franchise tax matters across our multi-state corporate footprint. Managing a dedicated team of SALT professionals, you will serve as the chief advisor on state tax implications for major corporate transactions, restructuring, and legislative changes.

This role requires a balance of high-level technical expertise, strategic foresight, and the ability to communicate complex state tax concepts and positions to non-state tax professionals and executive leadership. Additionally, you will serve as the primary relationship manager and collaborator with outside advisors to optimize tax strategies and safeguard the company's tax positions.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities    Strategic Planning & M&A:
Identify, evaluate, and implement state tax planning opportunities, structural reorganizations, and tax-efficiency strategies. Provide due diligence and integration support for mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
Compliance Leadership:
Oversee the preparation and filing of all multi-state corporate income and franchise tax returns. Ensure all filings are accurate, complete, and structured to optimize beneficial tax positions across all jurisdictions.
Tax Accounting & Provision:
Direct the state portion of the quarterly and annual ASC 740 income tax provision, including the evaluation of state effective tax rates, valuation allowances, and uncertain tax positions.
Audit Defense & Controversy:
Lead the strategy for state income tax audits. Manage relationships with state tax auditors, draft technical responses, negotiate settlements, and represent the company’s positions effectively to minimize exposure.
Legislative & Policy Monitoring:
Track, analyze, and model the impact of changing state tax legislation, court rulings, and administrative pronouncements. Proactively advise executive leadership on potential financial impacts and risks.
Team Development & Leadership:
Mentor and develop a high-performing team of state tax managers and analysts. Foster a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, process improvement, and technological advancement - including the adoption of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) tools and automation to increase efficiency, streamline data analysis, and modernize the tax function.

Skills, Experience and Requirements Qualifications & Requirements

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. Master’s in Taxation (MST), J.D., or LL.M. in Taxation is highly preferred.
Certification: CPA designation is strongly preferred.

Experience:

12+ years of progressive corporate tax experience, focused heavily on state and local income tax within a Fortune 500 corporate tax department or a Big 4 accounting firm.
Leadership:
Proven track record of successfully building, motivating, and retaining a highly cohesive team characterized by strong interpersonal and professional camaraderie. Demonstrated success in cultivating talent from within and establishing clear pathways for professional development.
Technical Expertise:
Deep knowledge of corporate state and local tax structures, multi-jurisdictional tax laws, and corporate accounting…