Trade Compliance Director/Counsel

Overview

• Lead and enhance a global export controls and trade compliance program for a U.S.-based industrial manufacturing company with operations spanning advanced manufacturing, strategic supply chains, and highly regulated technologies.
• Serve as the primary advisor on export controls, sanctions, and related regulatory matters, partnering closely with Legal, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Commercial teams.
• Report to the General Counsel and provide practical guidance to business leaders on regulatory risk, international business activities, and compliance strategy.
• Support a business serving both commercial and government-facing customers across complex and evolving global markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise on U.S. export controls, including EAR, export classifications, licensing, sanctions compliance, technology transfers, and related regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain compliance policies, procedures, training programs, and internal controls.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to integrate trade compliance considerations into strategic and operational decision-making.
• Manage licensing strategies, jurisdiction/classification analyses, deemed export reviews, technology control plans, and restricted party screening.
• Monitor regulatory and geopolitical developments impacting supply chains, advanced technologies, and international trade activities.
• Support audits, investigations, corrective actions, and interactions with regulatory agencies.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of export controls and trade compliance experience, ideally within industrial manufacturing, aerospace/defense, advanced technology, energy, mining, or other highly regulated sectors.
• Deep knowledge of EAR, BIS licensing, export classifications, sanctions regulations, and technology transfer controls.
• Experience building, improving, or leading trade compliance programs within a complex global organization.
• Strong ability to advise senior leadership on regulatory, operational, and geopolitical risks.
• Experience partnering with business stakeholders across legal, engineering, operations, procurement, and commercial functions.
• Familiarity with ITAR, defense-related customers, government contracting requirements, or dual-use technologies is a plus.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.