Senior Director of Tax

Build the Global Tax Function at Preply

At Preply, we power people’s progress.

We create life-changing learning experiences by connecting learners with the right tutors, building personalised learning journeys, and helping people stay inspired as they grow. Our model is human-led and tech-enabled—and it’s transforming education around the world.

Following our $150M Series D, Preply has reached unicorn status and is accelerating its mission to shape the future of learning through human-led, AI-enhanced education. Today, more than 100,000 tutors teach 90+ languages to learners across 180 countries. And we’re still just getting started.

Every lesson delivered through Preply helps unlock opportunity, build confidence, and drive meaningful progress. Joining us means helping to shape a category-defining company and making a real impact on millions of lives worldwide.

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The Opportunity

We’re looking for a strategic, hands-on Senior Director of Tax to design and lead Preply’s global tax function at a pivotal stage of growth.

This is not a role focused on maintaining an established structure. It is a chance to build the tax function from the ground up in a fast-scaling, highly international business operating across 180 countries.

As Preply advances toward becoming a public company, this leader will be instrumental in creating a scalable, compliant, and future-ready global tax framework. Reporting directly to the VP of Accounting (CFO-1), you will take ownership of tax compliance, reporting, governance, structuring, and strategic planning across multiple jurisdictions.

This role is ideal for someone who combines deep technical expertise with sound commercial judgment—someone who knows when to go deep, when to leverage external advisors, and when a practical, risk-based solution is the right move.

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What You’ll Lead

1. Build and Scale the Global Tax Function

• Design and establish Preply’s global tax function from its early-stage foundations.

• Develop the structure, processes, tools, and team needed to support continued international growth.

• Create a scalable operating model fit for a complex multinational business on the path to IPO.

2. Own Global Tax Compliance and Reporting

• Lead worldwide direct and indirect tax compliance across all relevant jurisdictions.

• Oversee areas including:

• Income tax provision (ASC 740)

• Transfer pricing

• VAT / GST

• Withholding tax

• 1099 / DAC7 reporting

• Local statutory tax requirements

• Ensure filings are timely, accurate, and supported by strong documentation and controls.

• Strengthen tax processes in preparation for future SOX readiness.

3. Apply Smart, Risk-Based Judgment

• Assess tax risks across a highly complex global footprint and prioritise efforts where they matter most.

• Use strong cost-benefit judgment to determine where internal focus, external support, or pragmatic action is required.

4. Support Strategic Tax Planning and IPO Readiness

• Partner closely with Finance leadership to develop tax strategies that support business growth and public company readiness.

• Lead and advise on:

• Tax structuring initiatives

• Legal entity optimisation

• Intercompany arrangements

• Pillar Two preparedness

• M&A support

• Tax implications of market expansion

5. Partner on Public Company Preparation

• Collaborate with Finance, Legal, and external advisors on tax-related disclosures, structuring, and regulatory filing requirements.

• Play a key role in preparing the company for increased public-market scrutiny and governance standards.

6. Strengthen Governance and Transparency

• Build discipline around global tax governance, reporting, controls, and documentation.

• Ensure the company is prepared for deeper review from auditors, regulators, and future investors.

7. Be the Executive Voice of Tax

• Serve as the primary tax leader for executive stakeholders, including the VP of Accounting and CFO.

• Translate complex international tax matters into clear, concise, and actionable updates for non-specialist audiences.

• Proactively communicate tax status, risk areas, and roadmap progress.

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What Success Looks Like

In this role, you will bring structure to complexity, build confidence in global tax operations, and create the foundation for a best-in-class tax function that can support Preply’s next phase of growth.

You’ll be successful if you are equally comfortable setting strategy, solving technical issues, building processes, partnering cross-functionally, and operating hands-on in a fast-moving environment.

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What We’re Looking For

Essential Experience

• 12–15+ years of progressive international tax experience.

• Leadership experience within high-growth and/or multinational organisations.

• Track record of building, scaling, or significantly enhancing a global tax function.

• Experience in pre-IPO, newly public, or rapidly scaling private companies is highly valued.

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of:

• U.S. and international corporate tax

• ASC 740

• Transfer pricing

• Global indirect tax regimes

• OECD developments and international tax changes

• Experience supporting IPO readiness, public reporting, and SOX implementation or preparedness.

• Background in audit management, internal controls, and compliance enhancement.

Leadership and Working Style

• Ability to think strategically while remaining highly operational.

• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and building scalable infrastructure from the ground up.

• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills across global teams and time zones.

• Excellent written and verbal communication, including asynchronous collaboration.

• Capable of balancing competing priorities and delivering in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA, MST, JD, or LLM in Tax preferred.

• Experience in SaaS, marketplace, or technology-enabled businesses.

• An AI-forward mindset, with demonstrated use of AI tools to improve tax workflows and process efficiency.

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Why This Role Matters

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a mission-critical function at a global company during a defining chapter in its journey.

You won’t just manage tax—you’ll help shape how Preply scales, how it prepares for public markets, and how it builds a resilient infrastructure for long-term success.

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Our Principles

At Preply, our values guide how we work, make decisions, and grow together.

• Care to change the world – We are passionate about our work and the life-changing impact it can have.

• We do it for learners – Learners are at the heart of everything we do.

• Keep perfecting – We obsess over simplicity, smoothness, and continuous improvement.

• Now is the time – Speed matters. We move with purpose.

• Disciplined execution – We focus on what matters most and deliver with excellence.

• Dive deep – Curiosity and business acumen help us uncover meaningful insight.

• Growth mindset – We seek feedback, embrace learning, and keep raising the standard.

• Raise the bar – We build diverse, high-performing teams that make a real difference.

• Challenge, disagree and commit – We value open, candid dialogue and aligned execution.

• One Preply – We win together through collaboration, inclusion, and shared success.

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Preply is committed to building an inclusive environment where people from all backgrounds can thrive.

We believe diverse perspectives, experiences, and viewpoints make us stronger as a multicultural EdTech company. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and make employment decisions without regard to race, colour, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

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Join Preply

If you’re ready to build a global tax function at scale, help shape IPO readiness, and make your mark at one of the world’s most exciting education technology companies, we’d love to hear from you.