SVP, Tax Counsel

The Fay Group originated in 2008, is a full-scale real estate services company that offers mortgage servicing, property renovations, business purpose lending, insurance, and more to homeowners, investors, and clients nationwide. Fay handles a wide range of mortgage loan solutions for prospective homeowners with varying credit histories and also offers refinancing for existing mortgages.

The Fay Group is made up of separate business units offering a complete range of home ownership products and services that provide customers with solutions to navigate the challenges of home ownership while helping them build toward their long-term financial goals.

Fay Cares
While others in our industry focus on collecting money-or else-we take a kinder, more humane approach when homeowners fall short, explains CEO Ed Fay. We consider the people behind those mortgages and work hard to give them the best chance possible to stay in their homes.

The Fay-Constructive Foundation was established to fulfill the philanthropic mission of Fay Financial employees to serve the communities in which they live and work. Over 80% of employees across Fay, Constructive, and GenStone affiliate companies make voluntary contributions to the Foundation. Each quarter, their contributions are donated to organizations focused on improving education opportunities, combating poverty, and supporting military service members and first responders.

Come join us on our journey to serve our customers and be the leader in our industry We are currently looking for an SVP, Tax Counsel to join our team

The SVP, Tax Counsel provides legal guidance to the Executive Team to support business strategies using their knowledge of tax law, finance, transactions and accounting to maximize business opportunities and effectively manage the company's tax and transaction obligations. The role provides support (due diligence, structuring, modeling) to the tax aspects of pending acquisitions, dispositions, financings, reorganizations, restructurings, joint ventures and related dealings to optimize tax treatment and deal structures.

The SVP, Tax Counsel serves as the organization's legal representation in dealing with local, state and federal tax agencies. Responsibilities include to provide guidance on tax related matters for Fay's companies to include negotiating and drafting business agreements, as well as conducting legal-related research to determine applicability and provide consultation on developing rules and regulations on tax related matters for Fay's businesses.

This role requires a well-developed legal background in corporate, partnership and real estate tax. Experience with banking, consumer lending, consumer finance or residential mortgage servicing industries preferred. Key to success in this position are the ability to balance strategic, anticipatory thinking with real-time execution, effective influencing skills and strong business/ financial acumen. The position requires the ability to provide tax expertise toward optimization of financial planning, structuring of business entities, developing business strategy, and facilitating commercial and real-estate transactions.

Success in this role requires the ability to effectively navigate and perform in a fast-paced, dynamic, entrepreneurial environment working closely with the CEO and CFO. The contributions from this role will inform strategies to grow the business and minimize risk for the Fay companies.

What you will do for Fay:

• Responsible for providing guidance and consultation to support the management and oversight of tax related matters for Fay's companies.
• Research, analyze, understand and interpret tax laws, regulatory changes and related legal developments to provide guidance for tax planning transactions, execution of business strategies and ensure compliance.
• Provide hands-on, real-time legal consultation and advice on tax rules, concerns and implications to the executive team, business leadership and finance to decision deal parameters.
• Assist with structuring and review of tax provisions included in complex contracts, preparing transaction documents and deal agreements to ensure appropriate tax treatment and to optimize financial opportunities.
• Prepare models, draft exhibits and craft amendments as required.
• Collaborate effectively with cross functional teams to include Finance, Business Development and Compliance.
• Stay current on tax laws, monitor legal trends, track proposed tax legislation and advise on new practices; proactively alert and communicate updates to business leaders, finance, compliance and other internal stakeholders for current and future businesses.
• Serve as a SME, effectively breaking down and communicating complex technical tax issues to senior management and internal stakeholders.
• Provide training and mentoring to legal colleagues.
• Manage outside counsel relationships as needed to ensure cost effective and efficient use of resources.
• Develop domain knowledge of Fay's business to include an understanding of short-term goals and long-term strategies for the organization.
• Ensure compliance with Fay's policies, processes, and practices.
• Establish and promote a culture that aligns with Fay's Values and Operating Principles. Role model ethical standards, professionalism and code of conduct.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

What you will bring to Fay:

• Juris Doctorate Degree (JD) and a member of the State Bar in good standing
• Active license to practice law in relevant jurisdictions or capable of meeting admission requirements
• 10+ years legal experience in tax coupled with real estate, banking, consumer lending or mortgage industry experience
• 10+ years as a practicing tax attorney to include Corporate and Partnership tax with a strong transactional tax background
• Degree in Tax Accounting or Finance preferred; CPA preferred
• Previous experience analyzing relevant tax law for tax planning transactions, identifying and understanding tax rules relevant to business transactions, partnering with multiple stakeholders to gather data and prepare/ review financial models to illustrate the tax consequences of alternative approaches
• Previous experience working in or consulting with small to mid-sized businesses preferred
• Prior experience providing consultation and guidance to C-suite preferred
• Strong verbal communication skills; ability to effectively communicate at C-Suite level
• Strong written communication skills; ability to effectively draft legal documents for defined business transactions
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships across the organization
• Solid negotiation abilities
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving abilities coupled with strong analytical skills and sound judgement
• Focused a results orientation; able to link to business needs with tactical execution and results
• Demonstrated ability to quickly establish credibility; coupled with for recognizing and supporting the organization's culture, values and priorities
• Collaborative and consultative work style; demonstrated investment in the success of the broader team and organization
• Able to effectively navigate change; agile; high learning agility
• Strong attention to detail; strong quality and compliance orientation
• Ability to effectively prioritize under tight deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Self-directed; ability to proactively surface questions, opportunities, issues and concerns
• Professional maturity, integrity, ability to maintain confidential data and information
• Strong business acumen; strong fiscal capabilities; high technical aptitude
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; self-sufficiency from an administrative perspective

Equity and Inclusion are embedded into our way of working at Fay. We believe that the best ideas come from having a team that is diverse in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We strive to ensure each of our employees feels valued, respected, and included and is presented with equal opportunities to be successful here at Fay. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. The Fay Group and affiliated companies participate in E-Verify. For more information go to www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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