Indirect Tax Lead

Navan is seeking an experienced Indirect Tax Lead to join our growing tax organization. This role will serve as the global subject matter expert for indirect taxes and a key strategic partner to the finance and business operations teams. As Navan continues to scale and expand internationally, this role will be instrumental in building scalable indirect tax processes, minimizing risk, and supporting new products and markets.

We are a small, highly collaborative team that thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating with ambiguity, balancing hands-on execution with strategic leadership, and partnering cross-functionally to solve complex business problems.

What You’ll Do:

Strategic Leadership & Ownership

• Own Navan’s global indirect tax function, including VAT, Sales & Use Tax, and other transactional and gross receipts taxes.
• Act as the primary indirect tax subject matter expert, partnering closely with the Head of Tax and the broader tax organization to align on strategy, risk, and priorities.
• Develop and execute scalable indirect tax strategies that support Navan’s growth, new product offerings, and global expansion.
• Document and maintain clear, defensible tax positions and technical analyses.

Compliance, Reporting & Risk Management

• Manage the indirect tax compliance calendar and ensure accurate and timely filings globally. 
• Review monthly indirect tax accruals, reconciliations, and journal entries in accordance with ASC 450, IAS 37, and applicable local GAAP.
• Monitor and review sales tax nexus and fixed establishment positions on a quarterly basis.
• Identify, assess, and document potential indirect tax exposures and uncertain tax positions.
• Lead global indirect tax audits, notices, and inquiries, including audit defense and coordination with external advisors.

Technology, Automation & Process Improvement

• Lead the optimization, and ongoing management of indirect tax technology and tax engines. 
• Partner with Finance, Business Systems, and Engineering teams to troubleshoot tax engine and ERP integration issues.
• Drive automation and continuous process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Assist in designing and maintaining effective internal controls for indirect tax processes.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, Legal, Finance, and Operations teams to ensure proper indirect tax treatment of existing and new products.
• Support product launches, pricing changes, and business initiatives by defining indirect tax requirements.
• Review customer-facing documents, including invoices and contracts, to ensure regional compliance and appropriate indirect tax language.

• Partner with Customer Service and Go-to-Market teams to develop customer communications related to VAT and sales tax.

Team Leadership & External Management

• Lead and mentor indirect tax team members responsible for compliance and special projects.
• Manage relationships with external tax advisors, consultants, and compliance service providers.

Global Expansion Support

• Support international expansion by researching indirect tax requirements in new markets.
• Manage new tax registrations, licenses, and ongoing compliance obligations.
• Stay current on global indirect tax developments and proactively assess impacts to Navan’s business.

What We're Looking For:

• 8–10+ years of indirect tax experience in public accounting and/or corporate tax environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; Master’s in Taxation and/or CPA preferred.
• Strong technical expertise in U.S. Sales & Use Tax and international VAT/GST regimes.
• Proven experience implementing and managing sales tax engines and integrating them with ERP systems (NetSuite experience a plus).
• Experience supporting SaaS, technology, or digital products; travel industry experience is a plus.
• Excellent tax research, documentation, and analytical skills.
• Strong project management capabilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to translate complex tax concepts for non-tax stakeholders.
• Comfortable operating independently while remaining aligned with the broader tax strategy in a high-growth environment.