At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global trade compliance strategy and ensure adherence to international regulations.
- Company: Join a leading organisation in a highly regulated international environment.
- Benefits: Salary up to £100,000, annual bonus, private medical insurance, and excellent career development.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to fairness and equality.
- Why this job: Shape and influence trade compliance strategy in a globally recognised organisation.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in Trade Compliance with strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 100000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Trade Compliance to join a leading organisation operating within a highly regulated international environment. This is a senior leadership position responsible for developing and leading a global trade compliance function, ensuring the business operates compliantly while supporting commercial growth across international markets.
This role would suit a strategic trade compliance professional with extensive experience in export controls, customs and international trade regulations, who enjoys influencing senior stakeholders and embedding best practice across a complex organisation.
The Role
Reporting into senior leadership, you will take ownership of the organisation's global trade compliance strategy, ensuring compliance with UK, EU, US and international trade regulations while supporting business operations across multiple jurisdictions. You will act as the subject matter expert for all trade compliance matters, providing practical, risk-based guidance to senior management and ensuring compliance is integrated into business processes without impacting operational performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, implement and continually improve the global trade compliance strategy.
- Establish and maintain trade compliance policies, procedures and governance frameworks.
- Ensure compliance with UK, EU and US export control regulations, customs legislation, sanctions and embargo requirements.
- Monitor changes in international trade legislation and implement business-wide compliance measures.
- Lead export licensing strategies and oversee licence management.
- Identify, assess and mitigate trade compliance risks across the organisation.
- Manage internal audits, compliance reviews and gap analysis activities.
- Lead investigations into potential compliance breaches and implement corrective actions.
- Act as the primary point of contact with regulatory authorities during audits and disclosures.
- Embed trade compliance into key business functions including sales, supply chain, engineering, product classification, business development and new market entry.
- Provide commercially focused advice to enable business growth while managing regulatory risk.
- Lead, mentor and develop the Trade Compliance team.
- Deliver trade compliance training and promote a strong culture of compliance across the business.
- Provide reporting, assurance and strategic guidance to senior leadership and governance committees.
About You
We're looking for an experienced Trade Compliance leader who combines strong technical knowledge with excellent commercial awareness.
You will have:
- Significant experience (typically 10+ years) within Trade Compliance, Export Controls, Customs or International Trade.
- Previous leadership experience within a multinational or highly regulated organisation.
- Strong working knowledge of UK, EU and US export control legislation including:
- UK Export Control Order
- EAR (Export Administration Regulations)
- ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations)
- EU Dual-Use Regulations
- OFSI and OFAC sanctions requirements
- Experience designing and implementing enterprise-wide compliance frameworks.
- Experience managing regulatory audits, investigations and authority engagement.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leaders.
- Excellent analytical and risk assessment capabilities.
- The ability to interpret complex legislation and translate it into practical business guidance.
Desirable Qualifications
- Degree in Law, International Trade, Supply Chain, Business or a related discipline.
- Professional Trade Compliance or Customs certifications (ACSS, CIPS, ICC or equivalent).
- Ongoing professional development within international trade regulations.
What's On Offer
- Salary up to £100,000
- Annual bonus scheme
- Up to 12% matched pension contribution
- Private Medical Insurance
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Technology voucher scheme
- Employee wellbeing programmes
- Excellent career development opportunities
If you're an experienced Trade Compliance leader looking for a role where you can influence strategy, develop a high-performing compliance function and support a globally recognised organisation operating within a highly regulated environment, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today or contact our engineering recruitment team for a confidential discussion.
DCS Recruitment and all associated companies are committed to creating a working environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone is treated fairly, regardless of gender, gender identity, disability, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or transgender status, age, or nationality.
Head Of Trade Compliance employer: DCS Recruitment Limited
As a leading specialist engineering organisation in East Hampshire, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to excel. With a strong focus on professional development, we offer numerous growth opportunities and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects in the maritime, energy, and defence sectors. Join us to be part of a team that values creativity and continuous improvement, while enjoying the benefits of a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Trade Compliance
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like DCS Recruitment Limited looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Trade Compliance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at DCS Recruitment Limited. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at DCS Recruitment Limited
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with DCS Recruitment Limited’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
