At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a specialist Trade Compliance team and ensure adherence to trade regulations.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation supporting major defence programmes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to influence compliance strategy.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to shape best practices.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive knowledge of trade compliance and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 68231 £ per year.
We're looking for an experienced Head of Trade Compliance to join our Under Water Systems business, leading a specialist Trade Compliance team and ensuring the organisation operates in full compliance with UK, US and international trade regulations. This is a fantastic opportunity for a strategic and commercially minded compliance professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment. You'll play a key role in supporting major defence programmes, advising senior stakeholders on complex compliance matters and helping enable business growth while maintaining the highest standards of governance and regulatory compliance.
About the role
Reporting to the Trade Compliance Director, you'll provide leadership across all aspects of Trade Compliance, overseeing the day-to-day activities of the Trade Compliance team while supporting the wider business on complex export control, customs and sanctions matters. You'll work closely with senior leaders, project teams and corporate colleagues to ensure compliance is embedded throughout the project lifecycle—from bid and proposal stage through to contract delivery.
Key responsibilities
- Lead, coach and develop a team of Trade Compliance Officers, providing guidance, mentoring and technical expertise.
- Act as the primary point of escalation for complex trade compliance issues, supporting both operational teams and senior management.
- Advise on UK and international export control legislation, military and dual-use regulations, customs requirements, sanctions and embargoes.
- Conduct trade compliance risk assessments for large, complex programmes and provide practical recommendations to mitigate identified risks.
- Support the development and continuous improvement of Trade Compliance policies, procedures, systems and the Internal Compliance Programme.
- Review and approve a wide range of trade compliance documentation, including export licence applications, End User Statements, contracts, purchase orders and technology transfer agreements.
- Oversee UK export licence applications and support US EAR licence submissions using SNAP-R.
- Ensure customs activities are compliant, working alongside customs brokers and internal stakeholders to maintain accurate import and export processes.
- Support investigations, internal audits and regulatory inspections, including the preparation of voluntary disclosures where required.
- Monitor licence usage, compliance performance and team KPIs, reporting regularly to the Trade Compliance Director.
- Deliver guidance and training to colleagues across the business, helping to build a strong culture of compliance.
- Develop trusted working relationships with stakeholders across multiple business functions, balancing commercial objectives with regulatory requirements.
About you
We're looking for someone who brings:
- Extensive knowledge and practical experience of UK and US export controls, customs and international trade compliance legislation.
- Significant experience managing complex compliance issues within a highly regulated environment.
- Strong leadership skills with experience coaching, mentoring and developing high-performing teams.
- Excellent analytical and risk assessment capabilities, with the ability to make informed decisions on complex compliance matters.
- Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence working across all levels of an organisation.
- A proactive, pragmatic and commercially aware approach, with the ability to balance business objectives alongside regulatory obligations.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities independently while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and integrity.
- Experience within the defence or dual-use sector would be highly advantageous, as would previous experience supporting large-scale programmes or engineering-based organisations.
Why join us?
This is an exciting opportunity to influence Trade Compliance strategy while remaining close to operational delivery. You'll be joining a collaborative team where your expertise will directly support business success, shape best practice and contribute to the delivery of nationally important programmes. If you're looking for your next leadership opportunity in Trade Compliance and want to make a real impact within a global organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
Locations
Head of Trade and Compliance in Somerset, Templecombe employer: Morson Talent
Our client is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in West Yorkshire where Supplier Quality Engineers can thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development and a collaborative culture, the company provides extensive training opportunities and encourages continuous improvement, allowing you to make a meaningful impact on supplier performance and product quality in a highly regulated engineering sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Trade and Compliance in Somerset, Templecombe
✨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 Morson Talent looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Trade and Compliance in Somerset, Templecombe
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 Morson Talent. 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 Morson Talent
✨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 Morson Talent’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
