Tax Manager – External Tax Policy

Job Description: External Tax Policy Manager

This position requires office presence of a minimum of 5 days per week and is only located in the location(s) posted. No relocation is offered.

At AT&T, we empower leaders to drive change in a fast-evolving, connected world. Your strategic vision will help serve customers and transform lives through innovative solutions and impactful connections.

Overall Purpose: The External Tax Policy Manager plays a mission-critical role in advocating for tax legislation across all corporate tax types impacting the telecommunications industry. This individual will serve as a key liaison between all areas of the Tax department, External Affairs, Public Policy, Public Affairs, and industry peers providing rapid, comprehensive analysis and strategic guidance during legislative sessions and planning during off-season. The successful candidate will possess broad knowledge of the legislative process, state taxation, policy, advocacy, and skills with technology (AI, PowerBI dashboards) with the ability to operate in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Typical tasks may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• • • Review, analyze, and prioritize tax-related bills and legislative proposals across all states and tax types, identifying risks and opportunities affecting the business.
    • Draft bill summaries, position statements, and advocacy materials for use by External Affairs and Public Affairs teams. Form teams within Tax to understand each issue and its value.
    • Provide real-time support and technical expertise during legislative sessions, including rapid bill interpretation and solution development.
    • Develop ongoing proactive objectives based on understanding the issues with compliance, audits, and planning.
    • Compile weekly and quarterly legislative reports using workflow systems.

Strategic Forecasting & Policy Development

• • • Communicate moving legislation to appropriate tax teams and forecast quarterly ETR (Effective Tax Rate) and cash tax impacts of proposed and pending legislation.
    • Develop talking points, draft legislative language, and assist in the creation and advancement of proactive tax policy initiatives.

Cross-Tax & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• • • Understand the proactive and reactive policy objectives and issues.
    • Evaluate legislative and regulatory proposals for impacts across income, property, sales/transaction tax, telecom fees, regulatory surcharges, and emerging taxes.
    • Serve as a single point of coordination for tax-related legislative matters, partnering closely with subject matter experts and business leaders.

Industry Leadership & Advocacy

• • • Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with industry peers, national tax organizations, and coalition partners.
    • Represent the company at State Chamber of Commerce meetings, national tax forums, and coalition-building activities.
    • Monitor and report on emerging state and national tax issues, trends, and threats to company interests.

Job Contribution: This position is essential to maintaining the company’s legislative influence, protecting financial outcomes, and supporting business objectives during the busiest time of the legislative year. The External Tax Policy Manager will be a critical player in the company’s ability to proactively shape tax policy, avoid adverse legislation, and ensure operational readiness.

Supervisor: No

Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) desired. 5+ years of related experience. Certification is required in some areas.

Preferred Qualifications

• • • 5+ years of experience in state and local tax policy, legislative analysis, or corporate state tax roles (telecom, cable, or regulated industries preferred but not required).
    • Demonstrated experience with multi-state legislative processes and advocacy.
    • Proven track record of bill analysis, tax modeling, and drafting legislative or regulatory language.
    • Exceptional analytical and research skills; able to interpret complex tax legislation across multiple jurisdictions.
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear and persuasive advocacy materials.
    • Strong relationship-building and coalition management skills.
    • Ability to work independently and under tight deadlines during peak legislative season.
    • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, PowerBI, Artificial Intelligence.

Preferred Attributes (Not Required)

• • • Existing relationships with state policymakers, national tax organizations (e.g., NCSL, COST, CTIA, Streamlined Sales Tax Board, NESTOA), and industry peers.
    • Experience representing corporate interests in public forums and legislative hearings.
    • Familiarity with telecom and technology sector tax issues.

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