about the job
The School for Moral Ambition is a new organization that focuses on attracting ambitious and talented people to work on the most pressing issues of our time. You will work with Rutger Bregman and Jan-Willem van Putten, both co-founders of this organization.
about the role
We are seeking a Senior Tax Researcher with over 5 years of experience in tax policy, ideally with a focus on wealth taxes. You will lead an exploratory study on the potential for a wealth tax advocacy program, focusing on finding ways to improve the tax system and make it fairer. The advocacy program will aim to recruit 12 tax experts from top companies, train them to become advocates, and connect them with organizations working on this topic. The project will take approximately 6 to 8 weeks to complete.
You can learn more about the structure of our fellowships at moralambition.org.
The role involves both desk research and interviews with international experts to understand:
- The feasibility of lobbying for tax reform, particularly regarding wealth taxation.
- Identifying bottlenecks (political and technical) in implementing such tax reforms.
- Defining the scope and activities of fellows in a future tax-focused program.
Additionally, the research will explore strategies to attract professionals (e.g., from Big Four firms) to contribute their expertise to this cause. The goal is to assess how successful an advocacy program could be, and what the necessary steps would be to initiate it.
Key responsibilities
The research conducted will directly inform the design of a fellowship program focused on tax reform. Your work will help establish whether a dedicated initiative to improve the tax system, including advocating for wealth taxes, is viable. This role will contribute to our broader mission of redirecting talent towards high-impact career paths, especially in neglected cause areas such as tax justice.
What We’re looking for
You may be an especially good fit if you have:
- Tax expertise: Over 5 years of experience in US and global tax policy, with specific knowledge of wealth tax highly preferred.
- Research skills: Strong capacity for both qualitative and quantitative research, with experience in interviewing experts.
- Autonomy: Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while managing multiple priorities. A proactive self-starter with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience in large-scale tax firms (e.g., Big Four) is a plus.
If you do not have all of these requirements or are not sure whether you are qualified, we would still love to hear from you.
What we offer
- A unique opportunity to shape a potential tax fellowship program.
- The chance to work with experts and thought leaders in the field of tax reform.
- Flexibility to work part-time, remotely, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on global tax policy.
- A team that genuinely cares about each other and is exceptionally passionate about improving the world.
Application process
- Application form: To get started, please fill out the application form before October 13, 2024, 11:59 PM EDT.
- Interview: We’ll invite shortlisted candidates to a 30-45 minute interview with Jan-Willem van Putten.
Expected duration of this application process: maximum 4 weeks from job closing date. We will be flexible regarding the procedure for some specifically qualified applicants.