Associate Director, State and Local Tax, Teaneck,NJ-FrankWBurr Blvd, New Jersey, United States

About Cognizant Corporate

Cognizant Corporate is a global community united by a shared purpose: to make a meaningful impact. We are committed to excellence and driven by outcomes that matter. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work, and our forward-thinking mindset fuels continuous learning, innovation, and growth.

At Cognizant, careers transcend titles. We empower our people to think strategically, inspire others, and lead with purpose – always guided by our core values. Join us in shaping future of business. Could you be the one to make a difference?

About the role

As an Associate Director, State and Local Tax, you will drive impactful contributions and focus on outcomes. You will be a key member of the Global Tax team, collaborating with senior tax leadership and cross-functional stakeholders. You will have the autonomy to lead, innovate, and improve workflows while upholding our commitment to quality and continuous learning.

As a team of self-starters, you can work with impact with our vibrant people and culture all while enjoying unmatched learning opportunities.

In this role, you will:

Oversee all state and local direct and indirect tax matters, including income, franchise, sales/use, and property taxes
Lead state and local tax planning initiatives and manage audits across multiple jurisdictions
Coordinate state income tax rate calculations with the global tax accounting team and review tax provisions and filings
Manage tax implications of acquisitions, including integration, uncertain tax positions, and mitigation strategies
Drive process improvements, automation, and standardization of tax compliance, reporting, and audit support activities

Embrace our vibrant culture by striving for excellence, focusing on meaningful outcomes, and collaborating effectively. Prioritize quality, stay curious, and commit to continuous learning. Take ownership, build relationships, and focus on personal growth to drive business strategy and impactful work.

What you must have to be considered

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
Minimum of 8 years of experience in a corporate tax function, including public accounting or law firm experience
Strong experience in U.S. state and local tax, including direct and indirect taxes
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
Experience with financial and tax systems such as Oracle, Hyperion Financial Manager, or PeopleSoft

A strong sense of ownership, desire to create meaningful outcomes, and passion for work that serves a greater good for customers, communities, or global challenges.

The embodiment of Cognizant’s Values of: Work as One, Dare to Innovate, Raise the Bar, Do The Right Thing, & Own It

These will help you succeed

CPA, JD, or Master of Taxation preferred
Knowledge of indirect tax engines such as Vertex or similar tools
Strong management and leadership capabilities with a hands-on approach
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to work effectively across multiple teams and business functions

Work model – Remote

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs..

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Salary and Other Compensation:

Applications will be accepted until September 2, 2026.

The annual salary for this position is between $150,000-$170,000, depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
401(k) plan and contributions
Long-term/Short-term Disability
Paid Parental Leave
Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Work Authorization

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

À propos de Cognizant
Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) est un AI Builder et une entreprise de services numériques (ESN) élaborant des solutions complètes d’IA maximisant les investissements pour des résultats concrets. Sa profonde expertise des métiers, des processus et des technologies lui permet d’intégrer dans les systèmes technologiques le contexte unique de chaque organisation de l’ingénierie à la production à l’échelle. Son objectif: améliorer l’efficacité des équipes, créer de la valeur et permettre aux grandes entreprises de rester performantes dans un monde qui évolue rapidement. Pour en savoir plus: cognizant.ai ou @cognizant.

À savoir avant de postuler

Autorisation de travail: Cognizant ne prendra en considération que les candidats à ce poste qui sont légalement autorisés à travailler au Canada sans avoir besoin d'un parrainage de l'employeur, aujourd'hui ou à l'avenir.
Mesures d’adaptation: Si vous avez un handicap qui nécessite des mesures d’adaptation raisonnable pour effectuer une recherche d’emploi ou poser une candidature, veuillez envoyer un courriel à [email protected] avec votre demande et vos coordonnées.
L’IA dans notre processus de recrutement: Nous utilisons des outils d'intelligence artificielle (IA) pour trier et évaluer les candidatures efficacement. Notre équipe examine ensuite les candidatures et décide qui passe à l’étape suivante.
Poste à pourvoir: Sauf indication contraire, ce poste est actuellement vacant et nous cherchons à le pourvoir.
Exigences linguistiques: Nous demandons à tous les candidats de posséder une connaissance de base de l’anglais afin de faciliter les communications internes. Pour les postes au Québec, la capacité à communiquer efficacement en anglais est requise car vous fournirez des services à et collaborerez avec des parties prenantes anglophones situées hors de la province.
Inclusion: Cognizant est un employeur souscrivant au principe de l’égalité d’accès à l’emploi. Votre candidature et votre dossier ne seront pas examinés en fonction de la race, de la couleur, du sexe, de la religion, des croyances, de l'orientation sexuelle, de l'identité de genre, de l'origine nationale, du handicap, des renseignements génétiques, de la grossesse, du statut d'ancien combattant ou de toute autre caractéristique protégée par les lois fédérales, provinciales ou locales.