Director of Trade Compliance

This is an exciting opportunity to join a global leader in aerospace and defense renowned for its groundbreaking technologies and solutions.

Our client specializes in providing cutting-edge engines, systems, and equipment for both civil and military aircraft. With a steadfast commitment to research and development, they continuously push the boundaries of aviation technology.

The Director of Compliance oversees regulatory compliance, including export and import controls, customs regulations, trade compliance, and risk management. Leading a team of specialists, this role involves developing, implementing, and enforcing policies and procedures to ensure adherence to national and international trade laws.

Additionally, the position serves as the Export Control Officer and manages various compliance roles such as Export Compliance Specialist, Senior Import Compliance Specialist, and Compliance Correspondent.

Collaborating closely with site personnel, Corporate Legal Counsel, external Legal Counsel, the Corporate Export Compliance Department, and local Senior Leadership, the Director serves as a principal regulatory advisor.

Responsibilities:

- Supervise policy creation and implementation, ensuring compliance with regulations like US ITAR, EAR, and international laws.

- Oversee import/export processes, including licensing, documentation, and compliance training.

- Ensure eligibility of foreign partners for ITAR defense articles and manage anti-bribery measures.

- Collaborate with departments to establish import/export networks and integrate compliance into operations.

- Implement auditing programs, investigate violations, and provide guidance on customs and legal matters.

- Drive improvements aligned with compliance directives and cost-saving initiatives.

- Coordinate with stakeholders and manage approvals for travel and IT access.

- Restrict access to controlled goods and data to authorized personnel.

Education and Experience:

- Bachelor's degree in Business, Law, or related field.

A college degree in a trade compliance-related discipline coupled with relevant work experience will be considered.

- 10+ years of export, import, and trade compliance, ideally within the aerospace or a similar sector.

- Additional experience in military programs preferred.

- Prior involvement as a Designated Official under the Controlled Goods Program, and/or experience as an Export Control Officer in a multinational corporation is desirable.

Profile:

- Strong communication skills.

- Attention to detail.

- Analytical problem-solving ability.

- Adaptability to dynamic work environments.

- Commitment to confidentiality.

Location:

This role involves oversight of teams in Grand Prairie, TX, and Irvine, CA, with occasional travel between locations (less than 25% of the time) required.

The Leonid Group Corporate Governance is a talent acquisition consultancy that specialises in the placement of Legal, Compliance, Trade Compliance & Ethics professionals on an international scale across the Americas, EMEA and APAC. Legal and compliance are both global, with teams worldwide, and our network reflects this. We work with multinational corporations to help structure their departments with the best people, from the Global Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel to the Compliance Analyst and Trade Compliance Specialist.