VP, Tax

Established in 2015, Create Music Group is a leading music and entertainment company. The company operates as a record label, distribution company, and entertainment network which generates over 15 billion music streams each month on DSP’s. Named #2 on the Inc 5000 Fastest Growth Companies in America in 2020, the company has grown exponentially by leveraging its owned IP with its media and technology platform. The company works with superstar artists, major and independent record labels, and global media brands. It operates a number of companies including Label Engine, one of the largest independent music distribution platforms in the world, with over 75,000 artists and 5,000 label clients; and Flighthouse, a digital entertainment brand focused on Gen Z,  which has more than 300 million followers across social media. Create Music Group is based in Hollywood, CA and has 400 employees worldwide.

Job Summary

Create Music Group is seeking a strategic Vice President of Tax to lead tax strategy and execution alongside its M&A and investment teams, driving tax structuring, diligence, and execution across a high volume of global acquisitions, catalog investments, and strategic transactions. This is a high-impact leadership role partnering closely with executive leadership, M&A, finance, legal, and external advisors to support the company’s continued global growth.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in M&A tax, international tax planning, transaction structuring, and tax analysis within dynamic, fast-scaling environments. Experience advising music, media, entertainment, technology, or intellectual property-driven businesses is highly valued.

This role will be instrumental in evaluating and structuring acquisitions, joint ventures, catalog transactions, and international expansion initiatives while ensuring overall tax efficiency, compliance, and alignment with business objectives for the existing Create business.

Responsibilities

• Lead all tax aspects of domestic and international M&A transactions, including acquisitions, joint ventures, restructurings, refinancings, and strategic investments (including asset and equity transactions, earn-outs and deferred consideration, rollover, ABL/ABS financing etc.)
• Partner with M&A and legal teams on transaction modeling, due diligence, structuring, and post-transaction integration
• Analyze and advise on international tax implications related to global operations, intellectual property, royalty flows, transfer pricing, and cross-border licensing arrangements
• Develop and implement tax-efficient structures for international expansion, entity optimization, and global business operations
• Provide strategic tax guidance on complex commercial transactions and evolving business initiatives
• Evaluate tax risks and opportunities associated with proposed deals and operational structures (historical exposures, structural issues including tax-efficient repatriation of cash, avoiding double taxation, spin-offs and divestitures etc.)
• Oversee and manage external tax advisors, auditors, and legal counsel across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring focused delivery against targeted objectives
• Monitor changes in U.S. and international tax laws and assess impact on the business
• Support executive leadership with tax forecasts, scenario analysis, and strategic recommendations
• Collaborate with accounting and finance teams on tax reporting implications tied to acquisitions and restructuring activities
• Assist in developing scalable tax processes, governance, and internal controls to support continued growth
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, or related field; CPA, JD, and/or Master’s in Taxation strongly preferred
• 12-15 years of progressive tax experience, including substantial experience in M&A tax and international tax structuring. Prior experience as a senior tax leader at a PE-backed portfolio company - with direct involvement in sponsor-led acquisitions, step plans, structuring memos, and preparing the company for recapitalization, or other liquidity event - strongly preferred
• Background in transaction tax, international tax, or a combination of public accounting and in-house corporate tax leadership preferred
• Strong technical knowledge of U.S. federal and international tax principles, including cross-border structuring, transfer pricing, and entity planning
• Experience supporting acquisitions and investments across multiple jurisdictions
• Ability to translate complex tax concepts into practical business recommendations
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, and transaction execution skills
• Experience in entertainment, music, media, technology, digital content, IP-heavy businesses is a plus
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Exceptional communication and executive stakeholder management skills

Pay Scale

• $220,000 - $250,000 per year
• The final compensation within this range will be determined based on the candidate’s experience, skills, and overall fit for the role.

Fair Chance Policy

In accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with criminal histories. We evaluate candidates based on their qualifications and the nature of the offense in relation to the job for which they are applying.