At Proton, we believe that privacy is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of democracy. Since our inception in 2014, founded by a team of scientists from CERN, we have dedicated ourselves to providing free and open-source technology to millions worldwide, ensuring access to privacy, security, and freedom online.
Our journey began with Proton Mail, the largest secure email service globally, and has since expanded to include Proton VPN, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive, and Proton Pass. These tools empower individuals and organizations to take control of their personal data, break away from Big Tech's invasive practices, and defeat censorship. Our work impacts hundreds of millions of lives, from activists on the front lines defending freedom to leaders in governments protecting sensitive information. In some cases, Proton's services have even been instrumental in saving lives by enabling secure and private communications in high-risk situations.
Proton today supports over 100 million user accounts with a growing team of over 500 people from over 50 different countries, from the world's top companies and universities. We value intelligence, learning potential, and ambition in our hiring process. Adaptability is key as we navigate uncharted territories and redefine how business is conducted online. We believe smaller teams of exceptional talent will always prevail over larger teams with lower talent density. Proton has become profitable and reached scale without relying upon VC funding, largely due to superior talent that allows us to do things faster, more creatively, and more efficiently.
We have a global mindset and big ambitions but remain a start-up at heart. We value empowerment and flexibility and keep our structure flat to keep moving fast and avoid unnecessary politics. Tired of blending into the crowd? Join us and do work you can truly be proud of. Check our social media pages to learn more about us: Twitter, Reddit, Instagram.
The team:
Within our Finance function, we are seeking a Senior Tax Specialist to architect and execute a best-in-class global tax framework that keeps pace with our SaaS scale-up's rapid international expansion. Reporting to the Head of Finance, you will be a strategic linchpin in building a tax function that simultaneously safeguards compliance and fuels growth. Your mission spans the full tax spectrum (direct, indirect, payroll, and equity compensation) across multiple jurisdictions. You will steer tax critical initiatives such as transfer pricing design, VAT/sales tax automation, payroll tax control, and stock option reporting, while embedding robust risk management processes and tax tech solutions. Acting as a trusted advisor to leadership and cross-functional teams, you will anticipate regulatory change, lead tax audits, and translate complex rules into pragmatic guidance that accelerates market entry and product launches. Ultimately, this role is pivotal in ensuring that our global tax posture not only meets ever-evolving legal requirements but also optimises cash tax outcomes and supports sustainable, hyper growth scale operations.
What you will do
Indirect‑Tax Excellence
- Own end‑to‑end VAT/GST/sales‑tax registrations, return prep and reconciliations across worldwide locations.
- Monitor nexus thresholds, advising the business on exposure.
- Maintain and validate multi‑jurisdiction VAT/GST/sales‑tax engine settings for B2C and B2B transactions in our subscription management and tax information tools.
Direct‑Tax Leadership
- Manage global corporate‑income‑tax compliance, provisioning and filings for HQ and subsidiaries.
- Lead transfer‑pricing documentation, inter‑company charge‑outs and permanent‑establishment risk reviews.
- Oversee withholding‑tax and treaty‑relief processes on cross‑border SaaS revenue streams
Compliance, Reporting & Audit
- Standardise processes and controls across jurisdictions, document standard Operating Procedures for scalability.
- Coordinate global tax calendars, ensure on‑time filings, payments and statutory disclosures.
- Prepare quarterly and annual tax provisions (IFRS & Swiss CO), liaising with finance and external auditors.
- Lead or support tax‑authority audits, crafting technical memoranda and data packs.
- Serve as the tax owner for employee incentive and equity programs (Stock purchase, stock options, phantom shares), advising on plan design, vesting triggers, and employee tax communication.
- Coordinate with Treasury to develop cash tax forecasting, effective tax rate management, and repatriation strategies
- Champion tax‑tech tools, data automation and AI‑assisted analytics to streamline filings and insights.
- Track legislative changes, issue impact briefs and update internal policies accordingly.
- Educate finance, sales and legal colleagues through targeted training sessions.
Job requirements
- University degree in Law or Economics.
- Five to ten years' experience in taxation.
- Experience gained in a law firm or one of the Big Four advisory firms is an asset.
- SaaS or digital services industry exposure and understanding of revenue recognition nuances.
- Experience managing ESOP plans
- Experience deploying or enhancing tax technology roadmaps.
- Ability to work independently and show initiative.
- Strong analytical skills, problem-solving mindset, and readiness to challenge the status quo.
- Proficiency in standard MS Office applications.
- Fluency in English required.
Bonus points for:
- Knowledge of German or French is an advantage.
What we offer
- Office First: Collaboration is easier and more effective in person, which is why we have offices in Geneva, Zurich, Prague, Barcelona, Paris, London, Vilnius, Skopje, and Taipei. You can also enjoy working from home up to 30% of the time, while enjoying great company during our three core days in the office.
- Technology: We provide all the devices and software you need to excel in your role, ensuring you have the best tools at your disposal to achieve your goals.
- Food: Lunch and snacks are provided by Proton every day at our offices.
- Transport: We will always support our employees with transport costs through subsidizing public transport, bike allowances, or parking spaces based on your office location.
- Stock Options: At Proton, we are all owners of the company and you get stock options when you join us.
- Learning and Development: We are committed to your professional growth. Proton offers various learning opportunities, including training programs, conferences and events, and continual learning.
- Employee Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance plans, competitive retirement savings options, generous vacation and leave policies, and wellness programs.
- Work that Matters: Proton is a community-first organization, started with the support of a crowdfunding campaign and built with community input. To this day, Proton's only source of revenue is user subscriptions. Over 100 million people trust and support Proton, and we put our users and community first in everything we do. Read more about our impact here.
Proton does not accept unsolicited resumes from any sources other than directly from a candidate. Proton will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited offer, even in a situation when the relevant candidate is employed by Proton.
To learn more about our privacy policy, please visit https://boards.eu.greenhouse.io/protongdpr.
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