Sr. Manager of Tax and Partner Compensation

The Senior Manager of Tax and Partner Compensation provides strategic and operational leadership for the Firm's tax strategy, compliance, and partner compensation programs within a complex law firm partnership structure. This hands-on role oversees all partnership and business tax matters and administers equity partner compensation.

The Senior Manager of Tax and Partner Compensation will serve as a trusted advisor to the CFO, Managing Partners, and Firm leadership on tax compliance, planning, partner compensation, and financial implications. This is a highly visible role critical to maintaining trust, accuracy, and consistency across the partnership.

Primary Job Functions:

• Direct and oversee the Firm's tax policies, objectives, and tax strategy in alignment with partnership structure.
• Monitor and interpret federal, state, local, and international tax developments impacting law firm partnerships and professional entities.
• Perform quarterly, and year-end tax review processes and ensure accurate, timely delivery of all required tax information.
• Facilitate and manage the preparation, review, and filing of partnership, business, property, and other required tax returns.
• Compile and prepare tax schedules supporting U.S. federal, state, local, and international tax filings.
• Coordinate closely with external tax advisors, auditors, and internal legal counsel.
• Manage and support tax audits, examinations, and inquiries as they arise.

• Monitor, implement, and enforce equity partner compensation structures, distribution policies, and analytical models.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on cash flow management, quarterly and annual tax payments, and supplemental partner distributions.
• Track, reconcile, and report partner income accounts and K-1-related information.
• Serve as a key point of contact for partners and their personal tax advisors throughout the year on matters related to compensation, quarterly tax estimates and tax reporting.
• Collaborate with Accounting and Finance to analyze and monitor financial trends, forecasts, and Firm performance.
• Enhance tax and partner equity reporting by integrating tax, accounting, and financial data.
• Supervise Payroll Coordinator responsible for all other non-partner payroll processing.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA, JD, or MST strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in partnership taxation, preferably within a law firm or professional services organization.
• Deep expertise in partnership tax compliance, planning, and partner compensation models.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality.
• Excellent communication and client service skills, with the ability to advise and present to senior attorneys and executive leadership.
• Advanced hands-on proficiency with tax and financial reporting systems and software.
• Collaborative. Strong desire and ability to work effectively with lawyers and other professionals across the Choate platform and to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in using AI tools is desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with BI tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) and workflow automation platforms a plus.
• Must exhibit decisive, handson leadership, with experience managing a team, to drive work forward and ensure all deliverables are completed on time.

Work Authorization:

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship by the Firm (either now or in the future).

Compensation and Total Rewards Package:

Choate offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our business professional team members. The Firm also offers comprehensive health and well-being benefits, personal and professional development, career growth opportunities and a collegial and supportive culture. The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below and represents our good faith and reasonable estimate of the salary range for this specific position at the time of posting. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on performance. The actual offered rate for this position will be determined based on job-related, non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to qualifications and experience, education, external market data and consideration of internal equity.

$150,000 - $185,000