Senior Counsel–Tax
Legal
The Senior Counsel–Tax will report to the Company’s VP & Deputy General Counsel – Structured Finance. This is a newly-created position due to the company’s strong growth.
The successful candidate will have 7-10 years of experience in federal income tax law, with a particular emphasis on energy tax credits, asset based financing, renewable energy investments, partnerships, and complex structured and project finance, preferably in the context of renewable energy deals. A background that incorporates a mixture of top tier law firm and in house experience is also preferred.
This person’s primary responsibility will be to address federal tax issues arising in our structured finance arrangements to put tax equity to work in the solar industry. This individual must possess tax equity knowledge including the structuring of tax equity deals and must understand the legal tax implications of various types of investments.
The ideal candidate must have the following experiences and skills:
- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college plus a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a strong law school is required. An LLM in tax or CPA credential would be an asset.
- The preferred candidate will have 7+ years of work experience including several years as a Senior Associate at a law firm, as well as 3+ years of experience, in-house.
- Legal expertise in federal tax and structured finance is required.
- Expertise handling tax negotiations in the areas of partnerships, purchase and sale, leasing and debt transactions.
- Experience in tax equity financings for renewable energy projects, new markets tax credits, complicated leasing transactions, debt offerings and other forms of structured finance.
- Industry experience in energy or real estate would be looked upon favorably.
- Familiarity with energy asset acquisitions and dispositions is a plus.
- Legal knowledge regarding complex fund structures and investments.
- Legal and tax knowledge of fair market valuations, appraisal methodologies, IRS audits and litigation.
- Familiarity with financial and accounting rules and principles is a plus.
Responsibilities
· Provide tax expertise in the structuring tax equity deals.
· Provide monthly legal oversight, assistance and advice on tax issues to the legal and structured finance departments, as well as other SolarCity executives.
· Liaise with outside counsel and respond to information requests.
· Assist in the review of tax equity and venture funding presentations if necessary.
· Provide strategic tax guidance to senior leaders at SolarCity.
· Assist in preparing legal presentations.
· Liaise with the SolarCity’s fund accountants on tax issues as necessary.
· Independently initiate key analytical tax information to enhance company performance
Requirements
The ideal candidate has the following personal characteristics:
- Results-driven, has a strong sense of urgency and is able to drive results.
- Fast-paced, yet detail oriented.
- Business-savvy.
- Extremely numerate when compared to the average lawyer.
- Highly intelligent and able to rapidly comprehend and distill large amounts of very complex data.
- Comfortable rolling up his/her sleeves and being hands-on; comfortable handling data analysis and providing specialized legal advice to SolarCity’s senior team members.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work well with others.
- Comfort in an entrepreneurial environment where demands and priorities change rapidly.
- Robust organizational and time management skills.
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal). Experience in public speaking a plus.
- Able to coordinate and communicate complex tax issues to multiple groups, business units, and outside tax equity investors.
- Able to effectively interact with, influence and collaborate with other members of the finance team, as well as SolarCity’s outside Counsel.
- Enjoys working in a fast-paced, high growth environment.
- Comfortable in an egalitarian, collaborative environment where even the C-suite executives sit in cubes.
- A great sense of humor.
Additional Information
Location(s):
San Mateo, CA