Director of Global Trade Compliance

United StatesRemoteFull-timeexecutive

Legal & ComplianceCompliance

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Quick Summary

Overview

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Director of Global Trade Compliance based in the United States.

Technical Tools

Legal & ComplianceCompliance

This is a senior leadership opportunity responsible for shaping and overseeing a global trade compliance program within a highly regulated, technology-driven environment.
You will own compliance across export controls, customs and imports, sanctions, and other international trade requirements.
The role carries significant responsibility for enabling global growth while protecting the organization from regulatory, operational, and financial risk.
You will advise executives and cross-functional leaders on complex trade considerations tied to products, markets, partnerships, supply chains, and international expansion.
As the organization's Export Control Officer and empowered official, you will provide strategic oversight while remaining deeply engaged in operational execution.
You will also build and lead a growing trade compliance team and establish scalable policies, controls, and processes.
This is a fully remote U.S. role with the opportunity to influence global operations within a mission-driven, highly innovative environment.

Own and continuously evolve the global trade compliance program, covering export controls under ITAR and EAR, import and customs requirements, OFAC sanctions, anti-boycott regulations, and other applicable trade laws.
Develop and implement policies, procedures, training, and internal controls that support consistent compliance across jurisdictions and business functions.
Serve as the Export Control Officer and empowered official, providing authoritative oversight of export control matters and required regulatory activities.
Oversee classification of products, technologies, software, and other controlled items, including ECCN, USML, and HTS classifications.
Manage export, re-export, transfer, and related licensing processes, ensuring required authorizations are identified and obtained.
Lead import and customs compliance activities, including customs valuation, country-of-origin determinations, tariff classification, and duty management.
Establish and oversee screening processes for denied and restricted parties, sanctioned countries, embargoed entities, and other relevant compliance risks across sales, procurement, partnerships, and business operations.
Conduct trade compliance risk assessments, internal audits, and control reviews, identifying gaps and driving timely remediation.
Lead investigations and responses to compliance incidents, including voluntary self-disclosures and inquiries or requests from government agencies.
Advise senior leadership and cross-functional teams—including Engineering, Sales, Supply Chain, and M&A—on trade compliance implications associated with new products, markets, partnerships, transactions, and international hiring.
Maintain effective relationships and communication with relevant U.S. government agencies, including BIS, DDTC, CBP, and OFAC.
Build, mentor, and manage a growing trade compliance team, establishing the processes, capabilities, and operating model required to support continued international growth.

Requirements

~2 min read

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
8+ years of experience in global trade compliance, export controls, customs, or a closely related discipline.
Strong preference for experience within aerospace, defense, space, satellite, advanced technology, or similarly highly regulated industries.
Deep operational knowledge of ITAR, EAR, OFAC sanctions programs, and U.S. customs and import regulations.
Direct experience interacting with U.S. government agencies such as the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), or the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Strong understanding of export classifications, including ECCN and USML, as well as HTS classification and import compliance requirements.
Demonstrated ability to design, implement, audit, and continuously improve trade compliance programs and internal controls.
Strong analytical and risk-management skills, with the ability to interpret complex regulations and translate them into practical business guidance.
Excellent cross-functional communication skills and confidence advising senior executives and business leaders.
Strong leadership and people-management capabilities, with the ability to build and develop a growing compliance function.
High degree of integrity, sound judgment, attention to detail, and discretion when handling sensitive regulatory matters.
Experience supporting global expansion, M&A due diligence, or multinational supply chains is highly desirable.
Professional certification such as Certified U.S. Export Compliance Officer (CUSECO) or Certified Customs Specialist is a plus.
Must be a U.S. Person as defined by applicable U.S. export-control regulations, including a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual under applicable law.
Must be eligible to obtain and maintain any export authorizations required from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.