Research and Development Credit Director

Mauldin & Jenkins is a leading CPA firm with over 100 years of experience serving a broad spectrum of industries, including governmental, nonprofit, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services. We are committed to helping clients solve complex financial and operational challenges through personalized, high-impact advisory services.

We are seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Research and Development (R&D) Credit Director to oversee the design, execution, and delivery of innovative solutions and services while also managing teams, client engagements, and compliance-driven projects. This position requires a blend of technical tax knowledge, project leadership, client communication, and a passion for fostering innovation across disciplines.

The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership capabilities, project and budget management experience, and a collaborative spirit to manage cross-functional teams of professionals, including scientists, engineers, technologists, and subject matter experts.

Key Responsibilities:

Project & Innovation Leadership

• Lead multiple R&D projects simultaneously, including the coordination and completion of R&D Tax Credit studies in the manufacturing and distribution sectors.

• Take full ownership of projects, ensuring their successful planning, budgeting, execution, and completion in line with business goals.

• Drive innovation by developing new services, products, and technologies aligned with client needs and firm strategy.

• Partner with team leadership to ensure collective ownership of quality, timelines, and deliverables.

Client Engagement & Technical Execution

• Conduct client interviews and perform detailed calculations and analyses related to R&D Tax Credit studies.

• Travel to client locations to perform inquiries and other on-site procedures related to R&D projects and tax credit studies.

• Maintain active communication with clients to manage expectations and ensure satisfaction throughout engagements.

• Provide proactive project updates to directors, partners, and other team members.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Industry Expertise

• Work closely with other departments (e.g., Audit, Tax, IT) to integrate R&D initiatives into firm-wide service delivery.

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of client businesses and their industries to tailor R&D efforts accordingly.

• Team with partners and senior personnel on proposals and business development opportunities for the R&D service line.

Leadership, Mentoring & Team Development

• Provide timely training, coaching, and performance feedback to staff associates and team members.

• Use the review of work as an opportunity to deepen the expertise of team members.

• Effectively mentor others and encourage the development of skills beyond their comfort zones.

• Uphold and reinforce professional and technical standards across all projects.

Systems Thinking & Strategic Analysis

• Analyze and identify the linkages and interactions between the component parts of entire systems or services.

• Lead the integration of innovation initiatives with broader firm strategy and service delivery models.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance

• 7+ years of progressive experience in R&D

• Proven experience in project and budget management.

• Strong leadership and team management skills with a track record of delivering innovative solutions.

• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement abilities.

• Familiarity with emerging technologies relevant to accounting (e.g., AI, data analytics, blockchain, automation) is highly desirable.

• CPA or relevant professional designation is a plus.