Customs & Global Freight Compliance Lead in London

About The Rolex SailGP Championship is the most exciting racing on water, where anything can happen in short, adrenaline‑fueled battles between national teams at iconic stadium destinations worldwide. Top athletes fly in identical high‑tech F50 catamarans faster than the wind, at speeds in excess of 100km/h (60mph). Founded in 2018, SailGP is one of the world’s fastest‑growing sports and entertainment properties, now in its sixth season. SailGP also races for a better future, championing a world powered by nature. Underpinning the organisation’s purpose‑driven agenda is a diversification of the league, with the goal of immediately progressing gender equity and inclusivity. SailGP is a global organisation with defined values that shape the culture of its team – Deliver Quality and Consistency; Evolve with Focus; Make it Count; Stand Together and Strike a Balance.

Summary

The Customs & Global Freight Compliance Lead is the authority on border integrity, international trade regulations, and global transit compliance across the league. Because the business acts as its own Importer of Record via a proprietary charter vessel, this role is personally accountable for eliminating statutory risks and border friction. Operating in lockstep with the Director of Vessel Operations, this role engineers the global regulatory roadmap - owning all customs entries, ATA Carnets, temporary import bonds, and strict biosecurity protocols, while co‑leading advanced border agency engagements to safeguard the global event timeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Global Customs Strategy & Regulatory Port Advancement
• Advanced Statutory Engagement: Partner with the Director to lead early, high‑level advance conversations with local customs authorities, border forces, and port officials in every host territory. Ensure the league's operational model is fully understood and accommodated by local agencies months before vessel arrival.
• Leadership Compliance Briefings: Coordinate, structure, and co‑lead all cross‑border port, customs, and agricultural/biosecurity briefings. Ensure the Director is fully integrated into these technical discussions and armed with an exhaustive, clear understanding of country‑to‑country statutory mandates.
• SOP Architecture: Define and own the regulatory, border, and customs chapters of the league’s operational Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Monitor on‑site compliance to ensure field operations adhere perfectly to international legal frameworks.
• Maritime Immigration & Vessel Access Governance: Take ownership of the compliance paperwork, visas, and port‑authority clearances required for all staff, contractors, and crew to legally work on board or operate around the vessel. Ensure all international maritime immigration mandates, crew manifests, and restricted dockside access permits are perfectly coordinated with local border forces and port agents well ahead of the vessel's arrival in each host territory.
• Technical Asset & SGPT Compliance Integration
• High‑Tech Asset Classification: Collaborate closely with SailGP Technologies (SGPT) engineering, design, and procurement leads to map out the customs profiles for all highly specialized race equipment, composite structures, and advanced electronics. Establish exact HS code classifications and valuation metrics to ensure smooth temporary importation.
• Compliance Certification Management: Manage the complex documentation trail for specialised technical cargo, including hazardous materials compliance (e.g., lithium battery systems) and international safety certifications for lifting equipment and heavy tackle, ensuring zero documentation gaps that could lead to port seizures or delays.
• Agricultural, Environmental & Biosecurity Mitigation
• Biosecurity Architecture: Take absolute ownership of the high‑stakes agricultural and biosecurity entry requirements for high‑risk regions (e.g., Australia/New Zealand). Design and enforce strict container and asset cleaning/inspection protocols that guarantee compliance with local environmental protection agencies.
• Pre‑Clearance Governance: Manage the end‑to‑end pre‑clearance workflow for the vessel’s multi‑million‑pound inventory, neutralising potential quarantine triggers before the vessel berths.
• Bond, Carnet & Broker Network Leadership
• International Bond Architecture: Oversee the strategy, financial underwriting, and seamless discharge of all ATA Carnets, Temporary Importation Under Bond (TIB) structures, and specialised maritime declarations worldwide.
• Broker & Agent Network Management: Source, vet, contract, and manage premium, localised customs brokers and port agents in every host country. Establish strict 24/7 Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to guarantee immediate problem‑resolution during live port clearance windows.
• Auxiliary Freight & Out‑of‑Sequence Logistics
• Supply Chain Contingency Procurement: Design, procure, and manage end‑to‑end customs clearance for all critical emergency, out‑of‑sequence, or short‑notice freight (air freight, specialised hot‑shots, custom couriers) moving outside the primary charter vessel solution.
• Global Logistics Alignment: Ensure all auxiliary freight solutions are fully optimised for cost and speed, keeping critical engineering components moving without compromising border compliance or risking regulatory penalties.

Location

SailGP HQ in London, United Kingdom. Hybrid working model with a minimum of three days per week in the London office. We encourage additional office attendance where possible to support collaboration, team connection, and business needs. SailGP is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion.