Senior Manager, Corporate Tax

Location Hybrid - Ontario

Empire Life is looking to hire a Senior Manager to join our Corporate Tax team with a focus on due diligence and planning related to mergers, acquisitions and restructuring!

Why pursue this opportunity

Join a transforming business - we are a medium-sized Canadian company in a stable industry which is rapidly transforming.

Have your voice heard - we are seeking a go-getter and critical thinker who will become integral to our business strategy. We don't just welcome a fresh perspective; we expect a challenger mindset that proactively identifies risks and opportunities. Here, you won't just follow a process—you will be empowered to reshape it, driving innovation and challenging the status quo.

Participate in training and development programs - we offer a range of training and development programs to help our employees stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and developments.

What you’ll be working on

• Conduct tax research and provide expert tax support in due diligence and planning related to mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructuring. Manage acquisition projects and relationships with external vendors participating in the projects. Drive the tax integration of newly acquired entities, ensuring a smooth transition into current business operations.
• Act as an expert internal tax consultant; providing strategic taxation advice, guidance, recommendations and innovative solutions on complex income tax issues to management.
• Lead, coach and mentor a high performing Tax team; act as a driver of change by motivating staff to embrace transformation and proactively challenge the status quo.
• Oversee the end-to-end employee lifecycle; hiring, goal-setting, identifying development needs and managing performance to align with departmental policies. Participate in the setting of departmental objectives and priorities.
• Manage and contribute to the preparation and/or review of various corporate income tax, premium tax, sales/commodity tax filings and related reports and supporting working papers; ensure the returns are approved and filed on time.
• Perform tax accounting activities, including the preparation, completion and/or review of income tax provisions, journal entries, account reconciliations, etc.
• Lead strategic tax planning by assessing the impact of existing and emerging legislation and rulings on the organization’s activities and products to minimize tax risks and maximize tax benefits.
• Provide guidance and/or input on how to integrate tax changes into the Company’s systems and procedures. Provide support on the implementation of system changes.
• Continuously review and identify areas of improvement in policies and procedures to drive departmental transformation ensuring they are consistent and compliant with tax legislation, regulatory requirements and industry practices.
• Act as an agent of change, proactively identifying automation and process improvement opportunities within M&A workflows and broader corporate tax filings.
• Implement compliance standards for internal controls on tax related matters and ensure their ongoing effectiveness.
• Participate in the negotiation of Company tax positions with tax authorities.
• Represent the Company on industry committees and in negotiations with government authorities.
• Maintain on-going contact with peers at other companies to remain current with competitors’ tax strategies and processes, and knowledge of taxation trends within the industry.

What we’re looking for you to have

• 8+ years of experience with Canadian corporate tax.
• Completion of the CPA In-Depth Tax Program (2 or 3 year program).
• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation.
• Completion of specialty CPA course (GST for financial institutions or in-depth M&A / Reorganization course) an asset.
• Experience managing teams of 3 or more.
• Process management / ownership experience with a proven track record of driving operational change and leading transformation initiatives .
• Prior experience in the insurance industry is an asset.
• Excellent knowledge of Federal and Provincial corporate Income Taxes.
• Knowledge of tax planning for mergers, acquisition and corporate restructuring.
• Knowledge of GST/HST for financial institutions is an asset.
• Knowledge of taxation on the purchase, sale and issuance of corporate investments (e.g., stocks, bonds, preferred shares, derivatives, trust units)
• Knowledge of contract interpretation.
• Knowledge of Canadian policyholder tax legislation is an asset.
• Expert knowledge of conducting tax research and writing memos / position papers.
• Expert experience investigating, analyzing and resolving complex tax and accounting matters.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel (modeling and Power Query) with the ability to leverage technology to automate workflows and create high-impact executive presentations
• Ability to work and drive desired outcomes with minimal supervision and oversight.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and multiple employees.
• Extremely effective oral and written communication.
• Key competencies include strategic thinking, initiative, judgment, analytical thinking and a passion for solving complex problems in a changing environment.
• High degree of tact, diplomacy and the ability to handle confidential information.
• The incumbent must have well-developed organizational skills and great attention to detail/accuracy.
• If you are applying for a position which is open to applicants across Canada, unless otherwise indicated in the position, language proficiency in English is required for communicating with customers, advisors, or employees across Canada.

Beyond the salary

For permanent full-time positions, Empire Life offers a comprehensive total rewards package that includes:

• Competitive salaries with annual pay increases
• Annual bonus program, which recognizes both strong company performance and individual contributions, for non sales positions
• Competitive uncapped commission, for sales positions
• A comprehensive employer-funded benefits package starting from day one of employment, that includes life insurance, disability, health and dental and a generous health account
• Flexible work arrangements and an annual allotment of personal health days.
• Four weeks annual vacation from hire date
• A defined contribution pension plan with generous employer matching
• Top up programs for parental leave and compassionate leave
• Employer-sponsored wellness and recognition programs
• A cash employee referral program

To learn more about working at Empire Life, visit https://www.empire.ca/workatempire.

Get to know us

Empire life is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity, are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and welcome everyone to participate in our application process. We encourage those of all backgrounds and experiences to apply, even if you don't believe you meet each unique qualification outlined. Applicants will receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.

Empire Life welcomes applications from people with disabilities and disabled people. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the screening and selection process. If you need this job posting in an alternative format or have any accessibility questions, please contact recruitment@empire.ca .