Senior Director, Tax & Treasury

About the role

Stratolaunch is seeking a Senior Director of Tax & Treasury to oversee the financial operations of our aerospace and defense company. This leadership position will manage tax compliance and treasury functions while ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will play a vital role in preparing for our IPO and supporting the company's growth trajectory.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Direct the overall tax strategy for federal, multi-state, and international corporate income taxes, as well as indirect taxes related to aerospace and defense operations.
• Manage relationships with external tax advisors to guarantee timely and compliant tax filings across various jurisdictions.
• Create a comprehensive tax strategy that optimizes the effective tax rate and aligns with the company's growth and IPO plans.
• Supervise ASC 740 tax accounting, including quarterly and annual provisions and necessary disclosures for SEC-ready financial statements.
• Handle tax audits and regulatory inquiries, ensuring proper documentation and representation, especially concerning government contracts.
• Assess the tax implications of various contract types, including cost-plus and fixed-price agreements, and relevant R&D credits.
• Provide guidance on tax considerations for corporate structure, international operations, transfer pricing, and mergers and acquisitions as the company expands.
• Participate as a key member of the IPO readiness team, ensuring compliance with SEC, PCAOB, and SOX 404 requirements.
• Establish public company tax policies, controls, and reporting processes.
• Collaborate with external auditors and legal counsel on tax disclosures and S-1 documentation.
• Enhance internal controls and implement systems to support public company tax reporting needs.
• Oversee daily treasury operations, including cash positioning and liquidity management.
• Develop treasury processes that are scalable for a public company.
• Manage banking relationships, assess credit facilities, and ensure compliance with federal contracting regulations.
• Offer strategic insights regarding capital structure and cash allocation to support growth initiatives.
• Evaluate treasury technologies to improve automation and visibility.
• Lead the development of a rolling cash forecast that aligns with operational and contractual cash flows.
• Collaborate with various departments to ensure accurate forecasting related to contracts and government billing cycles.
• Conduct cash scenario modeling to inform strategic planning and IPO-related analyses.
• Provide regular cash reporting and insights to executive leadership.
• Mentor and lead a growing team in tax and treasury functions, building capabilities for a public company.
• Promote collaboration with Finance, Legal, Contracts, and Program Management to ensure comprehensive planning and compliance.
• Drive initiatives for continuous improvement and process optimization in tax and treasury operations.
• Maintain strong internal controls and compliance frameworks across all responsibilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline; a Master's in Taxation or an MBA is preferred.
• CPA or JD is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in a public company environment, including ASC 740, SEC reporting, and SOX 404 compliance.
• Experience managing treasury operations and banking relationships.
• In-depth knowledge of government contracting financial structures and relevant regulatory constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and manage external advisors in a dynamic, growth-oriented setting.
• Strong communication, analytical, and leadership skills, with the capability to present complex information to executives and board members.

Salary: $190,000 - $252,000

Experience: 12+ years in corporate tax, including leadership roles in a complex, multi-state environment; experience in aerospace and defense or government contracting is strongly preferred.

Practical notes

Stratolaunch offers a 9/80 work schedule and a comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare (medical, dental, vision), paid maternity and parental leave, a 401(k) plan with a 50% company match (up to $11,500), and tuition reimbursement.

Mojave Air & Spaceport is located near Lancaster/Palmdale, approximately 95 miles north of Los Angeles, providing affordable living with access to California's attractions. The area offers a variety of entertainment options, dining experiences, and outdoor activities.

Stratolaunch is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply, and we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment in any form. U.S. Citizenship may be required for positions involving government clearance.

About the company

High-speed flight test services form the core work of this American aerospace team. Company roots trace to 2011, created by Paul Allen and Burt Rutan to explore air-launched space transport. Home base is Seattle. Earlier collaboration on SpaceShipOne informed the project. New ownership arrived in 2019 through Cerberus Capital Management. Funding remains private. Operations follow a non-traditional defense contractor model, focusing on test missions and system development under continued private investment.