Senior Manager, Global Lead for Tax Controversy

About Agoda
At Agoda, we bridge the world through travel. Our story began in 2005, when two lifelong friends and entrepreneurs, driven by their passion for travel, launched Agoda to make it easier for everyone to explore the world.

Today, we are part of Booking Holdings [NASDAQ: BKNG], with a diverse team of over 7,000 people from 90 countries, working together in offices around the globe. Every day, we connect people to destinations and experiences, with our great deals across our millions of hotels and holiday properties, flights, and experiences worldwide.

No two days are the same at Agoda. Data and technology are at the heart of our culture, fueling our curiosity and innovation. If you're ready to begin your best journey and help build travel for the world, join us.

Job Summary:
As a Senior Manager, Global Lead for Tax Controversy you will be responsible for leading the company's global tax controversy and audit strategy end-to-end. You will report directly to the Head of International Tax. This role will own and coordinate all phases of tax audits and disputes, from initial information requests through resolution, while building best-practice frameworks and partnering with Government Affairs, Legal and Commercial teams to support and influence tax policy in key markets.

The ideal candidate is a senior tax professional with strong technical expertise in tax law, significant experience managing complex crossborder controversies and regional tax disputes, proven negotiation skills, and a track record of preparing robust audit defenses and acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership; legal training or experience as a tax lawyer is required for this position.

Key Responsibilities:
Lead Tax Controversy & Audits

• Lead and manage all tax controversy matters, including audits, notices, refund claims, appeals, and litigation.
• Act as the global lead for all cases, setting strategy and overseeing end to end management from initial inquiry to resolution.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with tax authorities, external advisors, and internal stakeholders on all controversy matters.

Strategy, Technical Analysis & Defense

• Develop and implement effective strategies for resolving tax disputes and managing tax risk across jurisdictions.
• Analyze and interpret complex tax laws, regulations, treaties, and case law to support and defend the company's positions.
• Prepare, review, and quality-control responses to tax authority inquiries, RFIs, and audit findings, ensuring technical accuracy and consistency.
• Draft persuasive arguments, legal memoranda, position papers, and documentation for dispute resolution, appeals, and litigation.

Frameworks, Processes & Documentation

• Design and maintain best-practice frameworks, playbooks, templates, and documentation standards for managing tax audits and controversy globally.
• Maintain comprehensive and well-organized documentation and records of all controversy-related activities in the region and globally.
• Support the company's global tax strategy and ensure consistency in controversy management and messaging across jurisdictions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Policy Input

• Collaborate closely with internal Tax, Legal, Government Affairs, PR, Finance, and business teams to ensure aligned positions and coordinated responses.
• Monitor tax and policy developments globally and assess the potential impact on ongoing and future controversies.
• Provide technical input to policy and advocacy initiatives, working with Government Affairs and industry groups where relevant.

Risk Management, Training & Leadership

• Contribute to the identification, assessment, and communication of controversy-related tax risks to senior management.
• Promote tax controversy awareness and best practices within the Agoda Group and in collaboration with other BHI brands, including training and guidance for junior team members and other departments.
• Drive continuous improvement in controversy processes, incorporating learnings from past audits and disputes into future risk mitigation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Law, or related field; advanced degree (JD, LLM, MST, or equivalent) preferred.
• Legal training (law degree or experience as a tax lawyer)
• Professional certification (CPA, Chartered Accountant, or equivalent) is a plus.
• Minimum 8-10 years of relevant experience in tax controversy, audit defense, or tax litigation, in law firms, accounting firms or MNCs with significant experience in the Asia Pacific region (e.g., China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, India). Prior experiences in the US and Europe would be an added advantage.
• In-depth knowledge of tax laws, regulations, and dispute resolution processes.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-jurisdictional tax audits or disputes, including direct interaction with tax authorities.
• Proven ability to draft and review high-quality technical documentation (position papers, memos, correspondence with authorities).
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills advocacy skills for use within Tax and Finance as well as with external stakeholders and tax authorities
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
• Experience working effectively across cross-functional teams
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Agility to quickly adjust to changing priorities, combined with the ability to balance multiple priorities
• Proficiency in English required; additional Asia Pacific language skills are an advantage.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to work with a dynamic and experienced team
• Exposure to complex, high-profile tax matters across the Asia Pacific region and Globally
• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Professional growth and development opportunities

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Equal Opportunity Employer
At Agoda, we pride ourselves on being a company represented by people of all different backgrounds and orientations. We prioritize attracting diverse talent and cultivating an inclusive environment that encourages collaboration and innovation. Employment at Agoda is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity regardless of sex, age, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, citizenship, veteran or military status, and other legally protected characteristics.

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Disclaimer
We do not accept any terms or conditions, nor do we recognize any agency's representation of a candidate, from unsolicited third-party or agency submissions. If we receive unsolicited or speculative CVs, we reserve the right to contact and hire the candidate directly without any obligation to pay a recruitment fee.

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