Sr Manager, Tax Planning - Shanghai

Role Focus: Tax legal analysis, China-related global transactions, and leadership of strategic tax projects.

Position Summary

The Senior Tax Manager will support China tax planning, China-related global Business Development transactions, and strategic tax projects. Working closely with Global Tax, Legal, Business Development, Finance and Treasury, the role will analyze complex transaction structures and contractual arrangements, identify tax risks and opportunities, and develop practical recommendations for business and management decision-making. The role will also organize complex tax, legal and financial information into clear, decision-oriented analysis for key stakeholders.

A strong tax legal background is highly preferred, particularly experience in transaction tax, international tax, licensing and other cross-border arrangements. The role focuses on planning, transactions, special projects and business partnering rather than routine tax compliance.

Key Responsibilities

1. China Tax Planning and Business Advisory

• Support tax planning for significant China business activities, new business models, restructurings and other complex matters.
• Provide practical advice that integrates China tax rules, legal arrangements, business objectives and financial implications.
• Monitor relevant tax developments; identify material risks and opportunities and drive appropriate action plans.
• Support the development and implementation of sustainable tax positions, documentation and governance for significant China matters.
• Translate complex tax issues into clear recommendations and concise materials for management and Global Tax discussions.

2. Business Development and Transaction Tax

• Support China tax aspects of global and China-led licensing, collaboration, acquisition, divestiture and other strategic transactions.
• Analyze transaction structures and review term sheets, agreements, licensing arrangements and related legal documents.
• Assess corporate income tax, withholding tax, VAT, permanent establishment and cross-border payment implications, as applicable.
• Evaluate alternative structures and provide practical recommendations that balance tax, legal and commercial objectives.
• Partner with Global Tax, Business Development, Legal, Finance, Treasury and external advisors through evaluation, negotiation, execution and post-deal implementation.
• Prepare concise transaction tax analyses and position papers, and support resolution of implementation issues arising after signing or closing.

3. Strategic and Special Tax Projects

• Lead or support strategic projects involving tax optimization, process transformation, risk mitigation and cross-functional implementation.
• Develop project plans, perform technical and financial analysis, coordinate stakeholders, track actions and drive delivery.
• Support significant VAT optimization initiatives, including sustainable processes, controls, documentation and defense of tax positions.
• Use technology, automation and AI-enabled tools to improve tax processes and analytical capabilities.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders and external advisors to convert technical recommendations into practical implementation plans.

4. Tax Risk and Controversy Support

• Support the assessment and management of significant China tax risks, exposures, audits and tax authority inquiries.
• Develop robust analysis and documentation to defend material tax positions and implement risk mitigation strategies.
• Support discussions with tax authorities and coordinate responses to significant inquiries and audits, as appropriate.

5. Stakeholder and Project Management

• Build effective relationships across China and Global Tax, Legal, Finance, Treasury, Commercial and Business Development.
• Independently manage multiple complex priorities, coordinate external advisors and appropriately escalate significant issues.
• Act as a trusted tax business partner by providing clear, commercially practical and timely advice.
• Communicate effectively across functions, countries and time zones, with appropriate escalation of significant issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Law, Tax, Accounting, Finance, Economics or a related discipline; law degree and/or legal qualification strongly preferred.
• Typically 8+ years of relevant experience gained in a leading law firm, Big Four tax practice and/or multinational in-house tax function.
• Strong China tax experience, particularly in transaction tax, international tax, tax planning and cross-border matters.
• Demonstrated experience supporting cross-border M&A, licensing, collaboration, Business Development or other strategic transactions.
• Strong knowledge of China corporate income tax, VAT, withholding tax and cross-border taxation.
• Ability to review complex transaction documents and connect legal terms and transaction structures to tax consequences.
• Strong commercial judgment and the ability to balance technical tax requirements with legal and business objectives.
• Excellent analytical, project management and written communication skills, including concise senior-management materials.
• Excellent English and Chinese, with the judgment, ownership and independence to operate in a complex multinational environment.

Preferred Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a China tax professional with a strong legal background and solid transaction and international tax experience. The candidate can move confidently between detailed tax and legal analysis and broader business considerations, independently support complex China-related global transactions, lead strategic projects and communicate effectively with senior and global stakeholders.

Pfizer is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable equal employment opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction in which it operates.

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