Senior Tax Adviser

About Woodside

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Tax Adviser to support Woodside's US and international tax matters by providing legal analysis, practical tax advice and support for controversy management. This role will work closely with the Tax, Legal, Commercial, Finance, Business Development and Marketing teams to help address tax issues, transactions, audits, disputes, planning initiatives and external-facing business activities.

The successful candidate will support and, where appropriate, lead the legal evaluation of tax positions, provide technical support on acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings and project developments, and help ensure compliance with evolving tax legislation and regulatory requirements. This position requires sound judgment, excellent communication skills and the ability to translate complex tax law into practical commercial guidance with appropriate support and oversight.

Duties and Responsibilities

Tax Advisory and Legal Analysis

• Provide trusted tax advice and support on US federal, state and international tax matters.
• Analyze the tax implications of business transactions, investments, financings, restructurings and commercial arrangements.
• Research and interpret tax statutes, regulations, administrative guidance and judicial authorities.
• Support the development and documentation of tax positions that are technically supportable and aligned with Woodside's commercial objectives.
• Provide practical and commercially focused advice to management and business stakeholders.

Transactions, Projects and Business Development

• Support acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, financings and other strategic transactions.
• Participate in transaction structuring, tax due diligence and implementation activities.
• Provide legal support for major capital projects and cross-border business initiatives.
• Review contracts and commercial agreements to identify and address tax risks and opportunities.
• Support business development teams with tax analysis related to new investments and growth opportunities.
• Partner with the Marketing function to provide tax input on commercial messaging, customer or stakeholder proposals, and market development initiatives where tax considerations may affect positioning, commitments or risk.

Tax Controversy and Risk Management

• Support and help coordinate tax audits, examinations, information requests and disputes with tax authorities where required.
• Coordinate responses to IRS and state tax authority inquiries where required.
• Contribute to controversy strategies and help maintain robust technical support for tax positions.
• Identify emerging tax risks and recommend mitigation actions.

Governance, Policy and Legislative Monitoring

• Monitor legislative, regulatory and judicial developments affecting Woodside's operations.
• Assess the impact of tax law changes and coordinate implementation plans.
• Support tax governance frameworks, controls and documentation standards.
• Assist with preparation of tax memoranda, ruling requests and technical position papers.
• Collaborate with external counsel, industry groups and advisors on significant tax policy matters.

Skills and Experience

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years of experience in tax law, corporate tax, international tax or related practice.
• Relevant experience at a law firm, multinational corporation, accounting firm or government agency.
• Strong knowledge of US federal income tax law and corporate taxation.
• Experience supporting complex transactions, restructurings, controversies and tax planning initiatives.
• Exceptional legal research, writing and analytical skills.

Critical Competencies

• Strong legal judgment and ability to work through complex tax matters with appropriate guidance and support.
• Ability to communicate complex tax concepts clearly to non-tax stakeholders.
• Commercial mindset with the ability to balance tax risk and business objectives.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to support cross-functional teams, including Marketing, by translating tax considerations into practical guidance for commercial initiatives.
• High attention to detail and commitment to technical excellence.
• Ability to support complex workstreams and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong governance, ethics and integrity standards.

Preferred Experience

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one US state bar.
• Energy, oil and gas, LNG or other capital-intensive industry experience.
• Experience with international tax, cross-border transactions and project development.
• Experience supporting M&A transactions and joint venture arrangements.
• Familiarity with partnership taxation and consolidated return issues.
• Experience supporting IRS examinations, ruling requests or significant tax controversies.
• LL.M. in Taxation preferred.

Recognition and Reward

What you can expect from us: 

• Commitment to your ongoing development, including on-the-job opportunities, formal programs and coaching 
• Industry-leading 18 weeks paid parental leave for primary carer, and maintenance of superannuation or retirement benefits at the current rate during any period of unpaid parental leave for up to 24 months (plus secondary carer leave entitlements)  
• Values led culture with a focus on creating a psychologically and physically safe work environment  
• Active employee-led working groups driving initiatives to build an inclusive culture.  
• A competitive remuneration package featuring performance-based incentives  

Click APPLY to submit your application

Please note Woodside Energy will only accept direct candidate applications. We do not accept applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Woodside Energy is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity, including  providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability.  Applicants with a physical or mental disability who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process may contact HREnquiries@woodside.com or (713) 297-6529.  

Woodside Energy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type  without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.  

“Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal”  https://www.eeoc.gov/after-june-27-2023-know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal   

“Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal – Optimized for Screen Readers  https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf