TEI Tax Leadership Academy

Elevate Your Leadership: Join the Premier Leadership Program for In-House Tax Professionals

In a landscape where tax complexities and dynamic global challenges are the norm, in-house tax leaders require more than technical skills to navigate successfully. Tax Executives Institute (TEI) proudly introduces the TEI Tax Leadership Academy – a new educational opportunity developed to elevate your leadership capabilities as an in-house tax professional.

Why Should I Join TEI’s Tax Leadership Academy?

The TEI Tax Leadership Academy has been developed to address the unique challenges faced by in-house tax leaders. Here's what makes our program stand out:

• Comprehensive Curriculum covering leadership, negotiation, change management, and strategic communication, all tailored to the specific needs of tax professionals
• Blended Learning Environment offering flexibility with both virtual and in-person sessions, including exclusive workshops at TEI's Midyear and Annual Conferences
• Structured Mentorship Program to engage and learn from seasoned tax executives and former TEI International Presidents
• World-Class Faculty of seasoned in-house tax leaders who bring a wealth of experience and insights from diverse organizational backgrounds
• Created by in-house tax professionals who have ‘been there’ and have designed the program specifically for emerging in-house tax leaders
• Peer Benchmarking with classmates to enrich your learning experience and broaden your professional perspective
• Comprehensive Leadership Toolkits to serve as resources and tools that reinforce your learning and implementation in your daily role
• Complimentary Registration for TEI’s Midyear and Annual Conferences to expand your global network across a vast network of professionals across various industries worldwide
• Earn up to 20.0 CPE credits as part of your attendance and participation

What Should I Expect?

TEI’s Tax Leadership Academy is for impact-driven, emerging TEI members who are eager to elevate their capabilities and influence within their organizations, and benefit from a network of global peers and world-class senior leaders. The Tax TEI Leadership Academy will take place from March – October 2025. The commitment is approximately 40 hours (class, pre-and homework), conducted as two in-person sessions at TEI’s Midyear and Annual Conferences (approximately 6 hours/session), and three virtual sessions (approximately 3 hours/session). This blended model allows for busy work schedules and combines interactive learning with real-world applications. Planned activities feature:

• Strategic Stakeholder Engagement Workshops
• Leadership Challenges and Simulations
• Expert Panels and Guest Speakers
• Interactive Group Discussions 

What Does the Agenda Look Like? 

• Cornerstones of Tax Leadership | March 15, 2025 (in-person at TEI's Washington, DC office, coinciding with the Midyear Conference): Understand the cornerstones of tax leadership, focusing on strategic thinking and emotional intelligence, to lead and manage effective tax functions. The session will be approximately six hours. 
• Negotiation and Influence | May 13, 2025 (virtual): Learn to navigate and negotiate complex discussions with stakeholders while maintaining compliance and business ethics. The session will be approximately three hours. 
• Leading Through Change | July 17, 2025 (virtual): Equip yourself with the skills necessary to lead your team through regulatory changes and organizational restructuring. The session will be approximately three hours. 
• Adaptability in Communications | August 27, 2025 (virtual): Master the art of communication to clearly convey complex tax issues to diverse stakeholders, ensuring clarity and compliance. The session will be approximately three hours. 
• Capstone Business Case | October 25, 2025 (in-person in San Francisco, coinciding with the Annual Conference): Culminate your learning by tackling a real-world tax challenge in a business case presentation, demonstrating your refined leadership skills. The session will be approximately six hours. 

Please take a look at the TEI Tax Leadership Academy Flyer for an overview of this new educational opportunity.

All applicants should have the following:

• Current TEI membership
• 8+ years of tax experience
• Direct reports or responsibility for supervision of employees' daily work 
• Level of manager/senior manager, assistant/associate director, or department leader

What Will You Learn and What is the Academy Impact?

Upon completion, participants will be poised to:

• Drive Change: Lead effectively through the complexities of global tax environments and regulatory landscapes
• Enhance Talent Recruitment and Retention: Employ innovative strategies to attract, develop, and retain top tax talent
• Shape Stakeholder Perceptions: Influence and align stakeholders to the strategic objectives of your tax department
• Communicate with Authority: Deliver impactful communications that resonate across all levels of the organization

What Is the Investment?   

The registration fee is $2,750, which includes the full TEI Tax Leadership Academy experience, and attendance at TEI’s two marquis events, the Midyear and Annual Conferences, with special events planned for participants at the Conferences. Also included are supporting materials and resources, access to a learning platform, and mentor engagement.    

How to Apply

Please fill out this application. You must have a letter of recommendation from your supervisor or a TEI member. The Academy has a competitive admissions process. Space is limited and there is no guarantee of admission into the program. The Academy is designed to accommodate 15-20 professionals, and applicants will be notified of their admission on a rolling basis. The final deadline for applications is March 1, 2025.