Assistant General Counsel, Global Tax

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
paid time off
United States, D.C., Washington
Mar 25, 2025
The Foundation We are the largest nonprofitfighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we're committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally. The Team The Legal Division at the Gates Foundation supports the foundation and its affiliates. The foundation continues to grow in its global footprint and in the complexity of its work. We collaborate closely with our colleagues to ensure the highest levels of integrity are upheld by the foundation, its affiliates, and its employees. Our focus includes preserving the foundation's reputation by ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, while at the same time striving to be innovative and flexible. Consistent with the foundation's risk philosophy, we consciously balance necessary risks with desired goals. We expect Legal team members to intentionally and consistently embody our values of optimism, collaboration, rigor, innovation, and inclusion. Acting upon the belief that awareness and understanding enhance impact, we provide perspective, training, and education to staff on the laws and requirements applicable to private foundations. Your Role As an Assistant General Counsel, Global Tax (AGC), you will report to the Deputy Director (Tax & Financial Compliance) and will be an individual contributor (i.e., non-managerial). You are responsible for working in a highly matrixed environment with legal colleagues, the Global Financial & Accounting Services (GFAS) team, other foundation operations teams, and external advisors to ensure compliance with domestic and foreign tax rules applicable to the foundation's expanding global operations. The position will be located in Washington, D.C. This role offers hybrid in-office schedule, a competitive salary, generous benefits and relocation to the Washington, DC area, if needed. What You'll Do The AGC joins the foundation's tax lawyers in providing comprehensive tax advice to support the foundation's activities and operations globally, as we evaluate future locations for our expanding global footprint. The responsibilities of the position include: Research, analyze and provide recommendations on tax implications of international legal entity structures. Advise on the tax and regulatory implications of new or expanding international work locations and offices, including but not limited to permanent establishment considerations, VAT, and payroll/employment taxes. Identify, mitigate and/or resolve areas of legal risk, working closely with legal and finance colleagues to ensure the foundation is "audit ready" and following practices of good governance, particularly with respect to its regional offices and global presence. Develop cross-foundation policies and practices regarding global tax and regulatory compliance and help to ensure consistent foundation-wide application. Advise on international tax audits and assist in negotiations with global tax authorities. Research new tax laws and regulations as they arise and work to find solutions. Assist with OFAC, sanctions and export control compliance programs. Train and educate foundation personnel regarding applicable laws and best practices. Proactively collaborate with foundation divisions and teams to create and incorporate processes into legal advice and compliance strategies that are calibrated to the foundation's risk tolerance. Provide support in other legal matters or projects as needed and serve as an active member of the legal team. Some travel may be required. Your Experience Juris Doctor degree and current US bar membership in good standing are required. A minimum of 7-10 years' experience in tax; experience working with exempt organizations helpful but not required. Ability to communicate difficult legal concepts clearly and non-legalistically to business clients orally and in writing. Practical problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to think strategically, creatively, and proactively. Experience collaborating with cross functional teams, including experience managing relationships outside of legal. Experience with US and international taxing structures required. Comfortable in a wide range of cultural and geographic settings, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people. Excellent written and communication skills; ability to build trust and credibility with partners at all levels and functions and advise on issues that may not have clear answers. High standards and excellent judgment, intellectual quickness and curiosity, resourcefulness and resilience. Ability to prioritize work in context of the foundation's risk tolerance framework. Excellent collaboration skills in an environment that requires diplomacy, maturity, and good judgment. Applicants for this role will only be considered if they are able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship. The salary range for this role is $254,700.00 - $394,700.00 USD. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission. New hires salaries are typically between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate's job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process. LI-TO1 Hiring Requirements* As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Candidate Accommodations If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here. Inclusion Statement We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion - of voices, ideas, and approaches - and we support this diversity through all our employment practices. All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.