Trade Compliance Director

OverviewA leading global technology and industrial organisation is seeking an experienced Trade Compliance Director to lead and enhance its international trade compliance programme across multiple jurisdictions. The business operates within highly regulated markets and supplies advanced products and technologies to customers worldwide.This role will be responsible for ensuring compliance with export controls, sanctions regulations, customs requirements, and other international trade obligations while supporting commercial growth and operational efficiency across the business.The successful candidate will act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, partnering with legal, supply chain, engineering, operations, sales, and finance teams to manage risk and maintain a best-in-class compliance framework.Key ResponsibilitiesLead and oversee the organisation's global trade compliance programme across EMEA and broader international operations.Ensure compliance with UK, US, EU, and other applicable export control, customs, sanctions, and trade regulations.Develop, implement, and continuously improve policies, procedures, controls, and governance frameworks relating to international trade compliance.Provide strategic guidance on export licensing, classification, customs valuation, country of origin, anti-boycott regulations, and economic sanctions.Partner with commercial and operational stakeholders to support business initiatives while managing regulatory risk.Serve as the primary point of contact for trade compliance matters, providing practical and commercially focused advice to senior management.Lead internal investigations, audits, risk assessments, and remediation activities relating to trade compliance issues.Manage interactions with government agencies, regulators, customs authorities, and external advisors.Oversee screening and due diligence processes relating to customers, suppliers, distributors, and third-party intermediaries.Support mergers, acquisitions, integrations, and strategic business initiatives from a trade compliance perspective.Deliver training and awareness programmes to employees and leadership teams globally.Monitor developments in international trade regulations and assess implications for the business.Produce compliance reporting, metrics, and key risk indicators for senior leadership.Candidate ProfileSignificant experience leading trade compliance programmes within a multinational engineering, aerospace, defence, manufacturing, technology, or industrial organisation.Deep understanding of UK, US, and EU export controls, sanctions regulations, customs compliance, and broader international trade requirements.Experience advising senior stakeholders on complex cross-border regulatory matters.Strong knowledge of regulations such as EAR, ITAR, OFAC sanctions, UK export controls, and EU trade compliance frameworks.Proven experience designing and implementing compliance policies, systems, and internal controls.Demonstrated ability to manage audits, investigations, voluntary disclosures, and regulator interactions.Strong commercial judgement with the ability to balance business objectives and regulatory obligations.Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.Comfortable operating within a complex, matrixed, international environment.