Senior Manager, Trade Operations & Compliance, EMEA in Oxford

Senior Manager, Trade Operations & Compliance, EMEA in Oxford

Oxford Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead trade operations and compliance for innovative medicines across EMEA.
  • Company: Join Moderna, a leader in mRNA technology transforming medicine.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay, wellness resources, generous time off, and family support.
  • Other info: Dynamic work culture focused on innovation and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of international trade while making a real impact on patients.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in compliance with strong trade knowledge and leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Joining Moderna means advancing mRNA science to transform medicine. Work with exceptional global teams on a broad pipeline and build a career that makes a real difference for patients. As a key member of our Global Trade & Operations organization, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring Moderna's medicines and technologies move seamlessly across borders throughout the EMEA region. Working at the intersection of global strategy, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance, you'll help shape the future of our international trade program while enabling the rapid delivery of innovative medicines to patients.

Based in Harwell, you'll partner closely with Global and Regional Trade leadership to strengthen Moderna's Global Trade & Operations Program across EMEA. This is an opportunity to influence regional trade strategy, drive digital transformation, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to build scalable, compliant, and agile trade operations. You'll also have the opportunity to leverage emerging digital technologies and Generative AI-enabled solutions to enhance compliance processes, automate workflows, and improve decision-making across the trade function.

Here's What You'll Do:

  • Partner closely with Global and Regional Trade leadership to enhance Moderna's Global Trade & Operations Program across the EMEA region.
  • Shape and lead regional trade compliance strategies, ensuring alignment with global objectives while supporting evolving business priorities.
  • Serve as the regional subject matter expert on customs and international trade regulations across EMEA, providing strategic guidance to internal stakeholders and ensuring local execution aligns with global trade strategy.
  • Support day-to-day operational trade activities across EMEA, ensuring import and export transactions, product classifications, documentation, and customs processes are executed efficiently, compliantly, and within business timelines.
  • Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of comprehensive trade compliance programs covering tariff classification, customs valuation, licensing requirements, country of origin determination, and recordkeeping obligations.
  • Champion digital transformation by driving the adoption, optimization, and enhancement of trade compliance technologies and automation platforms, including SAP GTS, MIC, and Descartes, while identifying opportunities to further streamline operations through advanced digital and AI-enabled capabilities.
  • Monitor changes to customs and international trade regulations across the EMEA region, proactively assessing business impacts and ensuring organizational readiness for new regulatory requirements.
  • Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Tax, Logistics, and other key stakeholders to embed trade compliance into business processes and operational decision-making.
  • Identify, develop, and lead strategic trade optimization initiatives, including the implementation of special customs procedures, duty relief opportunities, bonded warehouse programs, and other cost-saving initiatives.
  • Lead interactions with customs authorities across the EMEA region, managing external audits, customs investigations, and regulatory inquiries while maintaining strong relationships with government agencies.
  • Support the development of trade compliance capabilities by delivering guidance, training, and knowledge-sharing initiatives across the regional trade compliance network.
  • Define, monitor, and continuously improve trade compliance metrics, key performance indicators, and customs broker performance to drive operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Foster standardization, process optimization, and operational consistency across regional trade activities while balancing regulatory integrity with business agility.

The key Moderna Mindsets you'll need to succeed in the role:

  • We obsess over learning. We don’t have to be the smartest we have to learn the fastest.
  • We digitize everywhere possible using the power of code to maximize our impact on patients.

Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications):

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Business, Economics, Finance, Supply Chain Management, International Business) or equivalent experience.
  • Minimum of 10 years of work experience, including at least 6 years in a compliance, legal, auditing, or investigation role in life sciences, preferably in biotechnology, medical device, and/or pharmaceutical industries.
  • Strong expertise in both operational trade execution and project management within complex international environments.
  • Solid knowledge of EU Union Customs Code and local customs laws across EMEA, including experience in import/export operations, dual-use regulations, classification, valuation, origin, and free trade agreements.
  • Proven experience managing customs brokers, freight forwarders, and 3PLs, as well as interactions with regulatory bodies across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Demonstrated leadership in implementing digital trade compliance tools (e.g. SAP GTS, MIC, Descartes, or similar systems).
  • Strong communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills with the ability to influence across levels and geographies.
  • Experience working in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
  • Strong critical thinking, sound judgment, and decision-making skills.
  • Passion for your work and a curious mindset that challenges the status quo.
  • Self-directed, proactive, motivated, and a fast learner.
  • Ability to work independently.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Communicate effectively in English, spoken and written.

As part of Moderna’s commitment to workplace safety, this role may require an enhanced pre-employment check.

Pay & Benefits:

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our benefits and well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

  • Competitive healthcare, plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs.
  • A holistic approach to well-being with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support.
  • Family building benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support.
  • Generous paid time off, including vacation, bank holidays, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown.
  • Savings and investments to help you plan for the future.
  • Location-specific perks and extras.

The benefits offered may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Moderna and the country where you work.

About Moderna:

Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world. By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities.

We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S. As we build our company, we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship.

If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities.

Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment. Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply!

Moderna is committed to equal opportunity in employment and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best. Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodation or adjustments to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation or adjustment in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations and Adjustments team at leavesandaccommodations@modernatx.com.

Senior Manager, Trade Operations & Compliance, EMEA in Oxford employer: ModernaTX

Moderna is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering competitive healthcare, generous paid time off, and a holistic approach to wellness. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation, employees work in a dynamic laboratory environment where they can contribute to groundbreaking mRNA science while enjoying a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion. The company's commitment to in-person collaboration fosters mentorship and teamwork, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of medicine.

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Contact Details:

ModernaTX Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Manager, Trade Operations & Compliance, EMEA in Oxford

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 ModernaTX looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager, Trade Operations & Compliance, EMEA in Oxford

Trade Compliance
Customs Regulations Knowledge
Operational Trade Execution
Project Management
Digital Transformation
SAP GTS
MIC

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 ModernaTX. 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 ModernaTX

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 ModernaTX’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!