You Lead the Way. We've Got Your Back.

With the right backing, people and businesses have the power to progress in incredible ways. When you join Team Amex, you become part of a global and diverse community of colleagues with an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities and each other. Here, you'll learn and grow as we help you create a career journey that's unique and meaningful to you with benefits, programs, and flexibility that support you personally and professionally.

At American Express, you'll be recognized for your contributions, leadership, and impact—every colleague has the opportunity to share in the company's success. Together, we'll win as a team, striving to uphold our company values and powerful backing promise to provide the world's best customer experience every day. And we'll do it with the utmost integrity, and in an environment where everyone is seen, heard and feels like they belong.

Join Team Amex and let's lead the way together.

How will you make an impact in this role?

American Express ("AXP") is looking for a colleague who will ambitiously own and manage Tax advisory responsibilities for Japan and Korea and provide best in class tax support to various business lines and other critical stakeholders of the corporation. This is an advisory and controversy focused role working closely with the wider regional tax and finance organization and reporting to VP-Taxes, APAC region located in Singapore.

In the capacity of Tax director, you will act as trusted advisor to stakeholders in Japan and Korean markets as well as AXP Global Tax Organization. This covers direct and indirect tax advisory related to domestic and international transactions as well as ensuring strong tax posture through tax planning, audit management and interaction with internal and external interest groups. If required, the scope of responsibilities may be extended to cover other markets.

The position is based in Tokyo and offers flexible working arrangement.

Main responsibilities:

a)    To provide sound tax analysis, practical and accurate tax advisory and identify improvement opportunities from direct tax, transfer pricing and indirect tax perspectives.

b)    Ensure that most appropriate positions are taken in external audits; negotiate strategically with relevant auditors for optimal outcome.

c)    Proactively participate in business initiatives and other projects to drive tax efficiency. Reach out proactively to educate/alert local management on the importance of corporate relationships and planning to tax matters and favorable business outcomes. Maintain a collaborative and proactive partnership with internal and external stakeholders.

d)    Analyze pending local and international tax legislation (including OECD's BEPS initiatives) to ensure relevant cost/benefit impact are correctly assessed.

e)    Develop and implement advocacy strategies while keeping stakeholders promptly informed of developments;

f)     Develop internal and external network with the relevant stakeholders

g)    Support internal and external tax compliance teams by recommending the most appropriate tax positions to be taken at tax returns. Support final review of returns for technical accuracy.

h)    Drive effective governance and support control of the markets' tax processes to ensure AXP's full and effective compliance with tax laws, Sarbanes-Oxley and similar requirements.

i)     Support tax processes and systems transformation to improve digital and process efficiency.

j)     Perform/support other tax tasks as required from time to time.

k)    Provide leadership and guidance for any direct reports assigned to this position as well as non-reporting colleagues participating in common initiatives.

Qualifications

Experience, knowledge and skills\:-

• College / university degree, graduate degree or certifications desirable, with 12+ years of experience in Japanese taxation. A Japan CPA, and preferably a Zeirishi too (registered tax agent), with a degree in tax or accountancy, or law is preferred.
• Experience with a US MNC is desired but not a must.
• Primarily having sound working knowledge of the Japan tax system and requirements in direct and indirect tax domains.
• Familiarity with accounting rules is a plus.
• Must be highly analytical and be able to creatively apply tax rules to business situations to achieve positive results, while assuring full compliance with applicable laws.
• A strong, proactive and collaborative leader with good teamwork, partnership & negotiation skills.
• Must be a self-starter with high integrity and ethics. Can work independently with high effectiveness, diligence and speed of actions.
• Confident Japanese and English oral and written communication skills, with excellent interpersonal skills to deal with a wide range of individuals (including government tax officials) and different cultures.

We back our colleagues and their loved ones with benefits and programs that support their holistic well-being. That means we prioritize their physical, financial, and mental health through each stage of life. Benefits include:

• Competitive base salaries 
• Bonus incentives 
• Support for financial-well-being and retirement 
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location) 
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need 
• Generous paid parental leave policies (depending on your location) 
• Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location) 
• Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program 
• Career development and training opportunities

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.