Trade Compliance Manager in Portsmouth

Salary: £50,000-£60,000 DOE

Who we are: SubSea Craft is a fast growing, privately-funded, UK-based innovative maritime technology company specialising in next-generation, high-performance watercraft and systems. We operate at the intersection of advanced engineering, cutting‑edge design, and user‑centric innovation, delivering safe, effective, and enabling solutions for both commercial and defence applications.

What We Offer

• Annual Leave – Entitlement to 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• Wellbeing Day – An additional Wellbeing Day each year to focus on personal health and wellbeing.
• Private Healthcare – Access to comprehensive private healthcare coverage to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Life Assurance and Critical Illness Cover – Comprehensive protection including Life Assurance (4x salary) and Critical Illness Cover for added financial security.
• Family Leave – Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Christmas Leave – A Christmas shutdown is typically observed.
• Professional Development – Commitment to ongoing learning and career growth, supported by training programmes and access to LinkedIn Learning.
• Pension Contribution – pension scheme with the option to contribute via salary sacrifice
• Flexible Working – Opportunities for flexible working arrangements to promote work–life balance.
• Inclusive Culture – A professional environment that values diversity, innovation, and collaboration.

Responsibilities Will Include

• Assist in the development and implementation of the trade compliance programme, aligned with UK and relevant international trade laws.
• Working from within the Legal team, collaborate across the business providing guidance and support to embed understanding of trade regulation and ethical best practice.
• Provide strategically focussed, commercially aware trade compliance advice to all areas of the business to facilitate implementation of company strategic objectives and support the BD function in securing access to market for novel products/solutions.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and audits to identify and solve potential compliance issues.
• Keep abreast of changing policy and law in UK and global trade regulation, proactively advising executive function on potential impacts and adjustments required to ensure continued compliance.
• Manage the interface with government agencies ensuring transparent communication and cooperation to build trust and obtain necessary licences and permits.
• Contribute to the management of export/import licensing, classification and jurisdiction determinations in collaboration with design, delivery and client support teams.
• Support customs compliance activities for import and export activity undertaken by the business, including liaising with customs agents and regulatory authorities as required to ensure successful delivery of shipments overseas.
• Understand and ensure compliance with the export controls and customs laws of other countries where the Company conducts business.
• Collaborate closely with the Supply Chain/Procurement team to manage supplier risks and ensure ethical and compliant sourcing practices.
• Operate as an effective part of the trade compliance team, reporting to the Head of Trade Compliance.
• Support the development and mentoring of junior compliance/legal staff to foster team performance and growth.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in a relevant field and/or minimum 5 years’ experience in UK exports compliance (defence/maritime-specific experience an advantage)
• Experience in US ITAR/EAR compliance.
• Experience in supporting export compliance programmes.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills that allow you to gain buy‑in from all departments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to pass information clearly and accurately.
• Strong ethical behaviours and the ability to take initiative without guidance.
• Adaptable and proactive – maintaining established process whilst initiating and driving change and efficiencies.

Note: Due to the nature of work undertaken at SubSea Craft, the selected candidate must be capable of meeting the security requirements of the position, which would include as a minimum existing right to live and work in the UK, Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), with UK National security clearance required for certain roles.

Values: Our people are our greatest asset, we continually strive to provide an excellent working environment to enable our team to do their best work. We have an agile professional workforce: we are founded on the belief that our people are valued and our business is trusted, inclusive and commercially‑adept.

What We Expect From You

• Teamwork, mutual respect and collaboration
• Initiative and independent working
• Honesty and integrity
• Business and commercial awareness
• Agility, adaptability and continuous development

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace where everyone can thrive. If you require any support or adjustments to interact with us, please let us know.

Please note that all offers of employment are conditional and subject to satisfactory DBS, driving licence and reference checks. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify candidates from employment. We will consider criminal record information alongside the wider range of evidence gathered at the application, interview, and pre‑employment checking stages. Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to everyone. If you are shortlisted, we will aim to contact you within 14 days of your application or the closing date (if stated). We may retain your details for future suitable roles unless you advise us otherwise. For details of how we process your personal data, please refer to our Privacy Notice.