Director, Export Controls & Trade Compliance
Director, Export Controls & Trade Compliance

Director, Export Controls & Trade Compliance

Full-Time 80000 - 115000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead export controls and trade compliance projects while mentoring junior consultants.
  • Company: Dynamic firm offering executive influence and equity ownership opportunities.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, healthcare, and flexible working arrangements.
  • Why this job: Shape the strategic direction of a growing practice and build valuable client relationships.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in export controls with strong leadership and communication skills.
  • Other info: Join a highly skilled team with extensive growth and development opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 115000 £ per year.

Are you a highly experienced, intelligent, and ambitious export controls leader seeking a role with genuine executive influence and the potential for equity ownership? We are looking for a senior hire to support and complement our existing Directors as client demand and project volume increase. You will take ownership of complex advisory engagements and act as a senior point of contact for clients. In addition, you will play a direct role in building the business, setting strategy, and participating in the firm's management. We are looking for a strong commercial mindset, intellectual curiosity, and the drive to shape the business’ strategic direction.

Key Responsibilities

  • Executive Leadership: Actively participate in the management, resourcing, and strategic planning for the export controls practice, working closely with other Directors.
  • Business Building: Identify and pursue opportunities for service expansion, lead high-impact pitches and proposals, and drive the overall growth of the trade compliance offering.
  • Advisory Excellence: Lead and oversee export controls and trade compliance advisory projects, providing strategic advice on UK, US (ITAR/EAR), EU, and other global trade control regimes.
  • Client Relationships: Act as the senior, trusted point of contact, building and maintaining long-term, high-value client relationships. Oversee and quality-assure project outputs and client deliverables.
  • Team Development: Mentor and support the professional growth of junior consultants, ensuring the highest quality of project delivery and client outputs. Contribute to proposals, pitches, and client presentations.
  • Thought Leadership: Lead external commentary and publish authoritative insights on evolving international trade policy and controls.

The Ideal Candidate (Skills & Experience)

We are looking for seasoned professionals with a minimum of 10 years of experience who possess a dynamic blend of technical mastery, commercial awareness, and leadership enthusiasm.

Essential Qualifications:

  • Experience: 10+ years' experience in export controls and international trade, with 5+ years in a consulting or advisory capacity.
  • Technical Expertise: Strong, demonstrable expertise in UK export controls and US ITAR/EAR.
  • Project Leadership: Proven experience leading and delivering complex consulting projects for demanding clients.
  • Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication, coupled with excellent client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
  • Mindset: A commercial, solution-focused, and intelligent approach to problem-solving.

Desirable Attributes

  • Broader experience across customs, tariffs, origin, or Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
  • Knowledge of global regulatory environments (EU, US, APAC).
  • Relevant trade compliance or customs qualifications.
  • Experience of using SPIRE/LITE/SNAP-R.

What We Offer

  • Access to equity
  • Full-time role
  • Exposure to a wide range of clients/sectors
  • Potential for growth in a highly skilled team
  • Extensive responsibility and development opportunities
  • Dynamic, professional working environment
  • Salary and Benefits: £80k-£115k + bonus, depending on experience
  • Significant equity/options
  • Healthcare and pension benefits
  • Hybrid working (London HQ, on-site and at home)
  • Flexible arrangements and culture
  • Maternity/paternity benefits

If you want to apply: We would love to hear from you. Please send a CV and covering letter to jobs@clearborder.co.uk

Director, Export Controls & Trade Compliance employer: clearBorder

At ClearBorder, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and professional working environment. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through extensive development opportunities, mentorship from seasoned professionals, and the potential for equity ownership, all while enjoying a flexible hybrid working culture in the heart of London. Join us to lead impactful advisory projects and build long-term client relationships in a role that offers both significant responsibility and the chance to shape the strategic direction of our export controls practice.
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Contact Detail:

clearBorder Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director, Export Controls & Trade Compliance

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the export controls and trade compliance field. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meet-ups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! Create a personal brand by sharing insights on platforms like LinkedIn. Write articles or comment on relevant topics in export controls. This not only demonstrates your knowledge but also gets you noticed by potential employers.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews like it’s the final exam! Research the company thoroughly, understand their challenges in trade compliance, and come armed with solutions. Practice common interview questions and be ready to discuss your past projects in detail.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who can contribute to our team. Make sure your application stands out by tailoring it to the specific role and highlighting your relevant experience.

We think you need these skills to ace Director, Export Controls & Trade Compliance

Export Controls Expertise
International Trade Knowledge
ITAR/EAR Compliance
Project Leadership
Client Relationship Management
Strategic Planning
Business Development
Communication Skills
Stakeholder Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Mentoring and Team Development
Commercial Awareness
Regulatory Knowledge
Proposal Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your 10+ years in export controls and any relevant consulting experience to catch our eye!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Director role, showcasing your leadership skills and commercial mindset. We want to see your personality come through!

Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your expertise in export controls and trade compliance. Numbers and results speak volumes, so don’t hold back!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at clearBorder

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of export controls and trade compliance, especially UK and US regulations like ITAR and EAR. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but are ready to lead complex advisory projects.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your experience in mentoring junior consultants and how you've contributed to business growth. This will demonstrate your capability to take on an executive leadership role.

✨Build Client Relationships

Think about how you've built and maintained client relationships in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've acted as a trusted point of contact and delivered high-quality outputs. This is crucial for the role, so make it a focal point in your interview.

✨Stay Current on Trade Policies

Familiarise yourself with the latest developments in international trade policy and controls. Being able to discuss recent changes or trends will position you as a thought leader and show your intellectual curiosity, which is highly valued in this role.

Director, Export Controls & Trade Compliance
clearBorder

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